Depression: Reaching Out for Help IS Strength (w/Resources)

 Strong people experience depression. The times that we are living in now are not just tough, they are also culturally transitional.  That can bring on complications for you, your family, co-workers, friends, etc. 

Ripples of changes and challenges.

So please, keep watch over one another. 

 Women Who Have Publicly Spoken About Their Experience with Depression

• Michelle Williams (Destiny’s Child): In her memoir Checking In, she reveals she battled depression from her teens into adulthood, including suicidal thoughts and a nervous breakdown during her Broadway run. SELF+9V 101.9 WBAV+9ABC News+9Wikipedia+1

• Halle Berry: The Oscar-winning actress has been open about her bouts with depression, noting how she navigated the pressures of fame and expectations. Shatterproof

• Amanda Seales: The comedian, actress, and cultural commentator has spoken about her experiences with anxiety and depression in the public eye. Wikipedia+13Shatterproof+13V 101.9 WBAV+13

• Lisa Nicole Carson (known from Ally McBeal and Love Jones): She has shared her years-long struggle with bipolar disorder and depression, challenging the myth of Black women as untouchably strong. Essence

• Lizzo: The singer has recently opened up about her mental health journey, sharing in performance spaces and interviews that depression has been part of her experience. MadameNoire

• Janet Jackson: The music icon has addressed her battles with depression and anxiety, acknowledging the emotional toll of life’s upheavals. Style Rave

• Naomi Osaka: The tennis star candidly spoke about long-term depression following her 2018 US Open experience. Her decision to withdraw from major tournaments for her mental health was groundbreaking. Teen Vogue

• Simone Biles & Serena Williams: Both athletes prioritized their mental well-being over competing, bringing widespread attention to mental health pressures in high-performance spaces. Teen VogueGlamour

• Sevyn Streeter (R&B artist): She has discussed her struggle with depression and the stigma Black women often face, particularly in the music industry. Wikipedia+5SELF+5V 101.9 WBAV+5

• Yaya Bey: The R&B artist has shared her healing journey through her album Remember Your North Star, which reflects her experiences with depression, trauma, and resilience. Pitchfork+1

• Elyse Fox (Founder of Sad Girls Club): She has publicly shared her experience with depression and a suicide attempt, which inspired her to launch a mental health community specifically for women of color. time.com

• Bassey Ikpi: The Nigerian-American spoken-word artist and author has been vocal about her diagnosis with Bipolar II and decades of battling depression and anxiety. Her memoir and advocacy work foster healing and reduce stigma. Wikipedia

• Terrie Williams: Public relations expert and author who suffered severe depression in the early 2000s. Her openness led her to become a prominent mental health advocate, especially in the Black community. Wikipedia

• Meri Nana-Ama Danquah: In her memoir Willow Weep for Me: A Black Woman’s Journey Through Depression, she recounts her own descent into clinical depression and the healing that followed. Wikipedia

in crisis, please reach out now to someone you can trust.

Immediate Crisis Support (U.S.-Based)

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
  Call, text, or chat with trained counselors, available 24/7. CDC+3SAMHSA+3CDC+3

• Crisis Text Line:
  Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a live crisis counselor—completely free and confidential. Crisis Text Line+1

National Helplines & Peer Support

• **SAMHSA National Helpline**:
  A free, confidential service (available in English and Spanish) for referrals to treatment and support services.
  1-800-662-HELP (4357) The Sun+15SAMHSA+15Verywell Mind+15

• NAMI HelpLine:
  Peer support, resources, and guidance for managing mental health challenges.
  Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text NAMI to 62640. NAMI

Specialized Support

• **National Maternal Mental Health Hotline**:
  Support for pregnant individuals and new moms—24/7, free, in English and Spanish.
  1-833-TLC-MAMA (1‑833‑852‑6262) Wikipedia+3CDC+3Crisis Text Line+3

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA):
  Offers peer-led support groups (in-person and online) for those with depression or bipolar disorder. Wikipedia+2ADAA+2

• Emotions Anonymous (EA):
  A twelve-step, peer-support fellowship designed for people recovering from emotional and mental health challenges. Verywell Health+3Wikipedia+3NAMI+3

• To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA):
  A nonprofit movement offering hope and support to those struggling with depression, self-injury, addiction, and suicidal thoughts. Wikipedia

Broader Mental Health Resources

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):
  Research-backed information on depression, its symptoms, treatments, and finding help. WebMD+13National Institute of Mental Health+13National Institute of Mental Health+13

• CDC Mental Health Resources:
  Offers guidance on crisis hotlines, mental health provider directories, and social services like housing or food support. NAMI+7CDC+7SAMHSA+7

• United Way 211:
  A confidential, multi-lingual assistance line to help locate local mental health services and long-term support.
  Dial 211 or use web chat. 211

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA):
  International nonprofit dedicated to education, research, and treatment of anxiety and depression. ADAA

Coping Strategies & Mental Health Education

• Verywell Health:
  Offers practical coping strategies—from CBT tools to self-care routines and stress management techniques. Verywell Health

• Verywell Mind:
  Covers the effectiveness of therapy approaches—like CBT, DBT, medication, and how to find the right therapist. Verywell MindSELF