The local NYC government should put more money into spreading awareness about depression in NYC because depression is a mental illness that most Americans do not fully understand. Increased awareness campaigns, even if they are just in NYC, could help millions of Americans learn about the signs and symptoms of depression, which could help the 3 million American people that are currently suffering from the illness. When people hear the word “depression,” many just think of sadness and insecurity. However, depression is not something that people can just “get over” in a few days. Depression can be a long lasting mental illness that can severely inhibit a person's daily functions. It can affect your body, mood, thoughts, and behavior. People who suffer from clinical depression often report that they "don't feel like themselves anymore."

In NYC, 4.1% of males aged 18-24 report having a history of depression, while 12% of females aged 18-24 report having a history of depression. This is a very high depression rate among young adults in the city, and this is not a good sign because our these young adults are our future, and NYC cannot afford to have its people weighed down by depression.

Different people are affected in different ways by clinical depression. Some have trouble sleeping, they lose weight, and generally feel agitated and irritable. Others may sleep and eat too much and continuously feel worthless and guilty. Others can function reasonably well at work and put on a "happy face" in front of others, while deep down they feel quite depressed and disinterested in life. There is no one way that people look and behave when they have clinical depression. However, most people will either have a depressed mood or a general loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed, or a combination of both. In addition they will have other physical and mental symptoms that may include fatigue, difficulty with concentration and memory, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, headaches, body aches, and thoughts of suicide.

Clinical depression is a mental illness that affects millions of people in NYC and America as a whole. It is a mental illness that affects everyday life, even though most people lack awareness about the signs and symptoms of depression. We are calling on the local government of NYC to put money into increased depression awareness to make sure that this illness does not weigh down the next generation of New Yorkers and their families.