27 Photos That Prove Depression Has No Face Or Mood

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, an important reminder to look out for signs of depression within yourself and among loved ones, as well as your capacity to make positive change on a local and global scale.

Over the last several weeks, Instagram and Facebook have been flooded with the hashtag #faceofdepression, with thousands of users around the world making the point that there really isn't one. There aren't necessarily visible glaring red flags or outward displays of ‘sadness' when someone is suffering with this hugely untreated and undiagnosed disorder. As a matter of fact, many appear happy and even overjoyed with their lives, until the unspeakable occurs. Often, those in anguish prefer to hide their true emotions, to suffer alone so as not to ‘burden' their loved ones with their grief.

A video posted by Chester Bennington's widow hours before his suicide is a prime example of the lengths people go to hide their pain, as well as the non-discriminatory nature of the beast. If you feel as though you may be afflicted, check yourself for these 10 concealed depression habits and don't be ashamed or afraid to seek help if you find yourself engaging in these behaviors.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 if you or someone you know needs urgent help. Call 1-800-273-8255 or go to their official website to live chat with a counselor.

27.

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What does depression look like? Let me tell you … depression has NO face. Both of these photos are of a girl who struggles. Depression isn't always crying on the bathroom floor. It exists behind smiles and laughter. It's found at parties and graduations. It doesn't care what color you are, your age, your gender. Depression doesn't care how beautiful or successful you are. Do you ever hear people say " but they had so much going for them. They were such a happy person. They had so many friends". Because it's true. Some of the kindest people are the ones with so much pain. We need to end the stigma. Depression has many faces and we need to continue to educate and support people with mental illness. Use your voice for people who can't use theirs. Depression HAS NO FACE. #faceofdepression

A post shared by Aubrey (@aubernutter) on Oct 5, 2017 at 12:20pm PDT

26.

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This photo was taken just 7 hours before I tried to take my own life for the 3rd time. This photo was taken in the morning, we went for a walk and for some food with Eli. We laughed and enjoyed our time. That evening I took an overdose that left me in hospital for a week. . I had no idea I'd try to take my own life in the morning, I was smiling and loved the way my hair looked hence the selfie. Having BPD (undiagnosed for so long because the NHS wouldn't listen) means that my mood can switch to suicidal in seconds over the slightest trigger. . Suicidal isn't just crying, for those with a troubled life and long build ups to breaking point, it's also snap decisions made whilst your son sleeps in the same house and your loving partner kissed you goodnight hours before. . We need to learn how suicidal tendencies can present themselves beyond our ignorance to the topic. By listening and learning even the tiniest triggers/signs we can save lives. ❤️

A post shared by Milly? (@selfloveclubb) on Sep 20, 2017 at 11:21am PDT

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Tw: talk of suicidal tendencies. . "You don't look suicidal"… I remember these words coming from the Dr's mouth right after I'd just told him that I was having thoughts of suicide. I remember in that moment my 14 year old self felt invalidation, dumb and embarrassed; something no one in that mindset should have to feel. I left feeling confused, what was I supposed to look like? A bottle of pills in one hand and a suicide note in the other? Those words nearly cost me my life, that judgment, those stupid stupid words. . I remember the night just last year that I spiralled and overdosed in my living room. I remember thinking to myself "I can't get help, I don't look suicidal, I don't fit the bill, they'll laugh at me". I remember thinking I must have looked the part, must have been wearing the suicidal costume properly when I woke up in Resus as all around me were concerned, worried and sad faces. By then this could have been too late, i might not have been there to see those sad faces if my partner hadn't of saved my life. . This, this is the danger of thinking mental health has a 'face',a 'look'. This is how stigma, ignorance and judgement towards mental health/suicide affects those who are poorly. . In both these photos i'm suicidal, perhaps not in the same way but on both of these days I had suicidal thoughts racing around. . Stop the judgment. Stop the stigma.

A post shared by Milly? (@selfloveclubb) on Sep 3, 2017 at 11:05am PDT

23.

“This is depression in our home. I tried to hang myself in my attic when the board broke and I broke thru the ceiling alerting my family. I fight every day. My husband tries his best but can't break through. I don't understand it.

I don't know why I can't get rid of it. I have a wonderful family. I feel selfish, lost, sick and angry at myself. My brain has always been a little scrambled and I've fought just to make it thru school, I can't keep a job. I can't stay in task long enough or I take too long. I leave before I get fired. It's hard to feel worthless and I hate feeling like a burden to my family. I have so much pain inside.

I'm in therapy I have meds. All I know is even though I feel like suicide would make life easier for my family, I also feel like if I could just get my head fixed and could be someone worthy, I really would like to stay around. I have been trying for so long I don't know if it's gonna happen for me.

Today I am here. We will see how tomorrow goes tomorrow. I take it day for day and some times hour by hour. Sometimes i think If I can get through one more hour I'll go to bed and I'll sleep til tomorrow and see how it goes. Today has been ok. I'm trying to find something good today to give hope for tomorrow. Today I try.”

22.

“This is my son , right before going to his computer to look up how to properly hang himself. Two days later he followed through.

21.

“My daughter as well. The night before she ended up in the hospital they went to the daddy daughter dance and had an amazing time. Thankfully she's still alive today and learning to beat her illness. She was 8 at the time.”

20.

“My #faceofdepression and yes it is possible to be depressed with a child.

Hearing, “You don't have a reason to be depressed with her around” doesn't do shit but make me feel worse about myself

Being told, “All you need is exercise and a good diet” just makes me want to throat punch you even though you're coming from a good place

Depression keeps you from doing things you want to do because it's literally a chemical imbalance in your brain.”

19.

“This is my boyfriend two weeks before hanging himself. Will never understand it…”

18.

“This is what depression looked like not long before we lost our beloved Luke. Depression is a SERIOUS illness. Don't dismiss people who are hurting.”