This is what I think:
Basically, someone is likely to be depressed if they are:
-socially isolated (few or no friends)
-lower income
-recently experienced a dramatic event, ie. relationship deterioration, financial loss, loss of employment, poor health
Common sense says that if you have good physical health, an average or better income and enough of a social circle to feel you 'fit in' and know enough people, your experience with depression will be overcome. That's what I believe.
So, I think it's interesting how we sugarcoat mental health supports in society.
Really, who is going to see a shrink? Someone who is socially isolated and likely has a lower income. Then again, the lower income person probably can't afford a shrink..
What do we preach as a society for those with depression?
-Prescribe medications
-See a shrink (aka a high priced best friend)
-Recommend therapy, aka an ear to hear your sorrows
In summary, I believe that we should just be more honest about mental health supports in society.
Instead of seeing ads on tv about mental health, we should just have honest ads that state
'Look, if you're depressed, you probably have few or no friends and don't have a lot of money' and generally as a society these people are likely to be depressed due to their circumstances.'
Why do we try to sugar coat everything instead of just being honest: Depressed people likely have no friends and money, this is the reason for their peril? And generally, we as a society don't have a lot of time for people like this.
That's the reality of depression as I see it. I have learned to depends on myself for my hapiness. No shrink or medications will put a smile on my face. It has to come from within.