Depression and suicides are becoming more prevalent than ever before. In the U.S, suicide rates among teens and young adults have reached their highest point in nearly two decades and are at their highest level since 2000, according to the U.S. News & World Report in 2019. In South Korea, which leads the list of world's most economically developed countries with the highest suicide rate, it's becoming increasingly common to see celebrities and politicians commit suicide from reasons cited around shame, social pressure, negative self-image and more.
For the last 13 years, I've pondered and researched the causes that might have led to my sister's depression and eventual suicide. By reading the diaries she let behind, I was able to gain a better glimpse into her inner world and internal struggles that led to her having low self-esteem, eating disorders and frequent rumination. I personally experienced clinical depression starting my early 20s. I do not point the fingers at any one person or one single problem, and I definitely do not claim to have solved the great puzzle to understanding depression. What this book will clarify is that depression is a multifaceted global issue that has possible causes at both individual and community levels, and we must be doing more to better define, identify and understand the underlying causes depression so that we can create a much more targeted, specific and integrated system of treatment for those suffering from it.
The first section of the book goes into the kinds of negative mental habits and repetitive stories that people at risk for major depression commonly engage in. The second section covers some of the major influences on our mental narrative and thought patterns.It also discusses possible solutions at both individual and societal levels, and why we need to address cultural issues such as status-obsession.