Hey, sorry to hear about the depression. The sad thing is that in the Black communities, we don't take mental health or illness serious enough. I commend you on admitting that something is wrong. The fastest rise in suicides are Black males 18-25. Depression changes you and your brain physically and chemically. It moves you from interpreting life and events in the gradients of happy, neutral, and negative to you now interpreting events that were once neutral as negative as well. Thus less interpretation of events as neutral or happy, instead they are negative. Worse yet, the longer you stay depressed, the more your brain adjusts to a more depressive state.
You can help yourself by immediately starting to exercise, start taking fish oil, or eating more fish. These things have been shown to be as effective as medication longitudinally. You should consult a mental health professional for therapy to help you deal with whatever is impeding you, and to learn coping skills. You might also be prescribed medication, which will help your body and mind adjust back to normal. Then with therapy, exercise, coping skills, change in diet, you can decrease medication. It won' be easy, but it can be done. Lastly, find out your supports and turn to them, family, church, friends, whatever supports you have.
