Depression Comes With Many Faces

You know, not all people with depression dress in black.
Depression comes in the same form,
but the people who feel it come in all different shapes and sizes.
They wear all kinds of different styles.

Have you ever thought about the popular girl who sits next to you in science class?
Ever notice how she frequently wears wristbands?
It covers up the scars well.

What about the boy who sits behind you in math class,
the one who is commonly called a band geek?
Ever notice how he never wears shorts?
Maybe he just doesn’t like to show his legs,
or maybe he’s covering up a secret.
There are more places to cut than your arms after all.
Maybe he goes home everyday and hides from a drunken parent,
who takes their anger out on him.
You never know.

Whether it’s a jock, band geek, nerd, goth,
outcast, skater, gangster, or any other stereotype we give each other,
any one of them could feel depression.
Just look at their eyes long enough,
and you can see the deep sadness, even if they are smiling.
So many of us cover our pain up.
So many of us hide our depression in so many ways.

Anyone can feel unloved and feel pain.
Any one of them can feel like they’re going insane,
and are lost in this world that is so cruel sometimes.

My message in this poem is to let you realize
that you’re not the only one who feels pain.
You’re not the only one to cry at night or cut.
Depression carries many faces,
and maybe if you look around enough
you can spot a few new ones,
spot someone who can understand your pain.

Don’t dismiss someone because of the group
they hang out with or the name someone gives them.
Maybe they’re like you, just looking to be saved.

**Please rate or comment so I know what you all think.**