WARREN, Pa– Have you ever felt lonely in a crowded room? Have you lost interest in activities that once brought you joy? Have you felt persistently sad, empty, or hopeless? Have everyday tasks begun to feel unusually difficult? Have changes in your sleep, appetite, or energy affected your daily routine? Have you struggled to concentrate or make decisions? Have you wondered whether what you are feeling is more than a passing low mood?

“If any of these experiences sound familiar, you are not alone,” said Dr. John John, board-certified psychiatrist and Medical Director at Beacon Light’s Recovery Center in Warren and Deerfield Behavioral Health (affiliates of Journey Health System). “Depression Awareness Month is a time to understand depression, recognize its symptoms, and know where to turn for help toward recovery.”

What They Don’t Tell You about Depression:

Dr. John stated, “Recently, I watched a commercial for medications used to treat depression. It listed a long array of potential side effects, but said relatively little about depression itself—what it feels like, how it affects daily life, or how profoundly it can impact a person and their loved ones. It made me think: What don’t we talk about enough when it comes to depression?”

Comedian Gary Gulman, in his comedy special, describes his struggles with depression growing up in the 1970s, when responses such as “What do you have to be depressed about?” or “Just snap out of it” were all too common. His experience highlights how poorly depression was understood and how much stigma surrounded anyone who dared to reveal their struggles.

“When I began my career in mental health nearly 30 years ago, conversations about depression looked very different from those we have today. Fortunately, we have made progress in recognizing symptoms, improving screening, and encouraging people to seek help. Younger generations have become more open about mental health, often sharing their experiences through social media, while adults have also become more willing to discuss their struggles, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic,” added Dr. John.

Despite this progress, depression remains a significant public health concern. Estimates suggest that hundreds of millions of people worldwide experience depression, and approximately one in five people may experience it during their lifetime. In the United States, rising rates of reported depression may reflect a combination of genuine increases in distress and greater awareness, improved recognition, and reduced stigma surrounding mental health treatment.

Yet, despite greater awareness, many people who experience depression still do not receive the care they need.

Understanding Depression:

Depression is a common mental health condition that can affect emotions, thoughts, physical health, relationships, and daily functioning. It is more than a brief period of sadness or an occasional bad day. Depression can make even familiar activities feel overwhelming and can interfere with work, school, relationships, and the ability to enjoy life.

Depression is not a personal failure, a character flaw, or a sign of weakness. Historically, it has been attributed to everything from an imbalance of bodily fluids to evil spirits. Today, we understand that depression is a complex condition influenced by biological, genetic, psychological, and social factors. A family history of depression, chronic medical conditions, prolonged stress, and difficult life experiences may all contribute to a person’s vulnerability.

Depression can range from mild to moderate to severe. Its impact varies from person to person, and only a qualified healthcare professional can make a diagnosis.

Recognizing the Signs: The SIGECAPS Checklist:

When I was a psychiatric resident, I learned a memorable clinical tool for recognizing the symptoms of depression: SIGECAPS. It remains a useful way to remember the major symptoms clinicians assess when evaluating someone for depression.

• S — Sleep changes: Insomnia or sleeping excessively.
• I — Interest loss: A loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable, known as anhedonia.
• G — Guilt: Excessive feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or self-blame.
• E — Energy changes: Fatigue or a noticeable decrease in energy.
• C — Concentration difficulties: Trouble thinking clearly, focusing, or making decisions.
• A — Appetite changes: Significant changes in appetite or weight.
• P — Psycho-motor changes: Noticeable physical restlessness or slowing of movement and speech.
• S — Suicidal thoughts: Recurrent thoughts of death, suicide, or self-harm.

Clinicians assess the duration, severity, and combination of symptoms when determining whether someone may be experiencing a depressive episode. Major depressive disorder typically involves symptoms occurring over at least two weeks, including depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure, along with other symptoms that cause significant distress or interfere with functioning.

Not everyone experiences depression in the same way. Some people feel persistently sad, while others describe emptiness, irritability, emotional numbness, or an inability to feel pleasure. Physical symptoms, exhaustion, and difficulty completing everyday tasks may be just as prominent as emotional distress.

If these symptoms persist or begin interfering with your daily life, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. You do not have to wait until things become unbearable to ask for help.

Finding Support: What Can Help?

The good news is that depression is treatable, and support can look different from person to person. The right approach depends on symptom severity, individual circumstances, personal preferences and previous treatment experiences.

Everyday Strategies That May Help:

Small, manageable steps can support emotional well-being while you explore what kind of help you need.

• Therapy: Talking with a qualified therapist can provide a safe space to explore feelings, develop coping strategies, and address patterns of thought and behavior. Cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy are examples of approaches that may help.
• Meditation and breathing exercises: These practices may create moments of calm and help you notice difficult feelings without judgment.
• Music and creative expression: Listening to music, drawing, coloring, journaling, or writing can provide comfort and an outlet for emotions.
• Supportive relationships: Reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, or other supportive person can help reduce isolation. You do not need to know exactly what to say or ask for before starting the conversation.
• Movement and routine: Gentle walks, regular physical activity when manageable, consistent sleep habits, and maintaining a daily routine may support overall well-being.

These strategies can be valuable, but they are not substitutes for professional care when depression is persistent, severe, or interfering with daily functioning.

Professional Treatment Matters:

For moderate to severe depression, psychotherapy and medication are well-established treatment options. For some people, a combination of medication and individual therapy offers greater benefit than either approach alone.

However, finding the right medication can take time. Treatment decisions should consider potential benefits, side effects, personal preferences, and medical history. A conversation about depression should involve more than a list of medication warnings; it should also address the illness itself, the available treatment options, and the possibility of recovery.

For people whose depression has not improved adequately with medication or psychotherapy, additional treatments may be appropriate. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. It may be an option for certain people with treatment-resistant depression. TMS is available at Beacon Light’s Warren office at 1885 Market Street. A qualified clinician can help determine whether it is appropriate.

There is no single treatment that works for everyone, but there are options—and a lack of improvement with one treatment does not mean that nothing will help.

The Serious Consequences of Untreated Depression:

Depression can be disabling. It affects more than mood; it can undermine relationships, work, physical health, and the ability to manage daily responsibilities. Globally, depression is a major contributor to years lived with disability.

One of the most concerning symptoms is suicidal thinking. Suicide remains a significant public health issue, and tens of thousands of Americans die by suicide each year. These losses underscore the importance of recognizing warning signs, taking expressions of hopelessness seriously, and making timely support available.

Thoughts of suicide or death should never be dismissed. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, seek immediate help. If there is an immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. In the United States, you can also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

You do not have to manage a mental health crisis alone.

Barriers to Care: Progress Is Not Enough:

Although awareness and acceptance have improved, access to treatment remains a challenge. Some people cannot afford care or lack adequate insurance coverage. Others encounter long waiting lists, limited local services, or insurance restrictions that make mental health treatment more difficult to obtain.

Stigma also persists. People may fear being judged, misunderstood, or treated differently if they disclose their struggles. Others may not recognize their symptoms as depression or may believe they should be able to overcome them on their own.

We have made meaningful progress in identifying depression and encouraging people to seek help, but awareness alone is not enough. We must continue working toward a system in which mental health care is accessible, affordable, and treated with the same importance as physical health care.

Local and National Resources:

If you or someone you care about is struggling, the following resources can help connect you with support.

Forest-Warren County Crisis Services

• Text: 63288
• Phone: 844-757-3224

McKean County Crisis Services

• Phone: 800-459-6568
• Alternate phone: 814-362-4623

National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

• Call or text: 988

If you believe your child is struggling with depression or other mental health concerns and you live in Forest or Warren County, contact the Family Navigator at 814-726-2100, extension 8403.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Moving Forward: A Message of Hope:

Depression is real, it is common, and it is treatable. It is not a weakness or something a person can simply will away. Recognizing the signs, speaking openly about mental health, supporting those who are struggling, and connecting people with appropriate care can make a meaningful difference.

We have come a long way from the days when people were told to “snap out of it.” Now we must continue turning awareness into action—by reducing stigma, improving access to treatment, and ensuring that no one has to face depression alone.

Sometimes, the most important first step is simply acknowledging that something is wrong and allowing yourself to ask for help. For information about services at BLBHS, visit www.beacon-light.org .