On a cheerful Thursday morning, I stumbled across the Health Ministry’s guidelines on coping with depression. So far so good, right? Actually, no.
With this directive, the ministry has caused huge damage to the whole fight against the stigma of depression.
By using the word “depression” irresponsibly, the ministry has put forth suggestions for perhaps sadness and melancholia, but not the medical condition which is marked by chemical imbalances within the body, among other things.
Dear Health Ministry, depression IS a medical term which refers to a condition that requires professional help and guidance - not travelling and eating fruits. They MIGHT help with the recovery, but first comes identification and treatment under close supervision of mental health experts.
The tweet also mentions that “One must take up activities that keep him or her boosted in order to cope with depression”.
“Activities” that keep you “boosted”? Unsure who even came up with that one.
The Absurdity Not Lost on Twitter
The absurdity of the guidelines was not lost on many who immediately replied to the tweet.
After the healthy-non-healthy diet debacle, a few weeks ago, it felt like maybe the Ministry would learn it’s lesson, but ah, as of 28 June 2018, that reality evades us.
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