With National Suicide Prevention Day happening this past week I thought I'd talk about a heavier topic: Depression.

Specifically with men and the stigma behind male depression. We all know that men aren't meant to share our feelings because it's often stigmatized. Why is that? If depression and in the worst case scenario, suicide, a major issue-- why is there still such a stigma behind it?

I know that for me while I'm ashamed to admit it still, I do openly talk about my depression and share posts on facebook related to it. Depression can happen to anyone at any time. Depression isn't easy to spot. In fact, many times it will be hiding in plain site. Based on my Instagram posts you'd never know I was depressed. I post photos with friends while laughing. I post pictures of my dogs,Taz and Buster. Plus, who can be depressed when they're officially counting down until moving to move to Europe?!

I mean yes, my life is great but that's not what causes depression. Like I said, there's a certain stigma behind being male and depressed, and to me, that's not a good thing. There are many suicide prevention groups out there available for everyone but for some reason seem more aimed at girls.

For example, To Write Love On Her Arms is the first group I think of when I think of suicide prevention groups. I'm not saying it's not good-- but it goes to show that there's the stigma of being a depressed male.

We need to get a better conversation going about depression. Why is it stigmatized for males but glamorized for females? To figure this out we need to look at society since it all boils down to how society views it since it's already stigmatized to begin with. That's one of the biggest issues with depression in general-- it's such a stigma. Then being a male and depressed it's basically a double stigma.

I mean, we also need to get people to understand just because someone is depressed DOES NOT mean they're suicidal. I've literally had "friends" tell me that in the past.

Yes, they do sometimes go hand-in-hand, but not always.

I'm going to be honest-- I'm depressed some days then others I feel one top of the world. It honestly takes me hours to just get out of bed sometimes. But that's how depression is. It has its ups and downs, highs and lows. It has its good days and bad days.

I'm just as human as you except I'm stigmatized since I'm depressed.

Depression is something we need to normalize. If we can normalize depression, I feel that we can also tackle the suicide epidemic at the same time. And if you or someone you know is depressed, please go get help. It's available everywhere.