My friends, family or colleagues don't think depression is a real illness. How can I educate them?

Depression is a major cause of hopelessness, being stuck in the past, loss of self-respect, loss of integrity, suicide, and the destruction of one's future. For example, many kids have missed tons of school because of depression...and they went from good grades/AP classes to failing school. Some kids won't eat because they're depressed, leading to poor health which can ultimately lead to other detrimental health problems. One might not be able to focus on the present because they are depressed and holding on to a past traumatizing event. Sometimes kids become depressed when their parents are divorced and busy fighting. There are kids that have no one to go to so they get addicted to drugs/alcohol because they don't want to face reality and they essentially drink their life away. When one is depressed, they may not know who to go to and they might start hanging out with the wrong people who demoralize them. One extremely disturbing effect of depression can be suicide. Suicide rates have escalated really quickly in the past 30 years. Suicide rates continue to grow every second, in every age group except older adults. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US. The cause...depression. Globally, more than 350 million people of all ages suffer from depression. Unfortunately, this number keeps increasing. Moreover, depression is a growing problem that has many negative effects on many aspects in an individual's life.

a good way to educate them is to explain to them what you go through, sometimes its difficult for people to understand.

Send them some articles or YouTube videos that explain depression from various perspectives - medical as well as individual experiences. The more they see how widespread it is, the easier it may be for them to accept.

Sometimes you could show people proof on a silver plate and they won't believe it but don't take it to heart. Depression is REAL! Looks up information online and send it to them, send them real life stories so they they realize some people don't even show signs. Look up celebrities who have talking about (the Rock has a video on you tube of how he still goes thru it sometimes)

It's super frustrating when people don't recognize depression as an illness! I like to tell them about neurotransmitters, and how it's a chemical imbalance and not a choice, which can help them to understand that it's not just an outlook. Sometimes, I'll say "what do you do when you break a bone? You go to the doctor. What do you do when you get really sick? Go to the doctor. Why shouldn't I go to the doctor if something's wrong with my body or mind?" and that can be useful, too. Best of luck!

You could tell them how you feel when your depression is at its worst and compare it to how others feel if they're not diagnosed with depression. This can help them to understand what it's like and you could show them some links such as NHS or even 7 cups could have some guides for them to see.

Through articles,examples and medical help that depressed people are being given can help them to understand things better depression.

Well, We have plenty of resources nowadays to educate the world on these things :) So you could google solutions and just give them websites, facts, or refer them to a psychologist... But Personally, i have found you need to give your personal experience for your friends and family to truly understand. They love you, they may understand more than you think :)

Sometimes I think it would help if depression had a different name. Too many ppl think "depression" is just a mood, like "Oh, I'm sad today cause this or that bad thing happened". I think if it had a more medical sounding name like Neurotransmitter Dysfunction Syndrome or something ppl might take it more seriously.