A pair of running shoes cures depression?

I'm not usually too bothered by Katie Hopkins and her views on things, but her recent outburst regarding depression has really upset me.


"People with depression do not need a doctor and a bottle of something that rattles. They need a pair of running shoes and fresh air." Depression is an illness. You do need a doctor and possibly medication. A pair of running shoes does not cure depression. Imagine telling someone with cancer to go and get a pair of running shoes and go outside? I am living proof that running shoes and fresh air do not cure depression. When I was deep into my depression, I went outside, walking for at least 30 minutes a day. Surprisingly, that did not cure my depression. I went to the doctor, got given an anti-depressant, and now I am finally getting better.

"depression must be catching...." You cannot catch depression. Depression is a mental illness, it is not like a cold virus where someone can sneeze on you and you'll catch it.

"There is no stigma around depression. There are only realists and people pissed off because their train is delayed." This message in itself shows that there is still stigma surrounding depression.

"Get a grip." If only it was just as easy as to 'get a grip'. Depression is an illness, you cannot just get a grip. It is out of your control. You cannot control how bad you are going to feel. It's just not that simple.

''If you are suicidal, for goodness sake top yourself in private. Attention seeking b*stards." If you are suicidal, you don't think about killing yourself in private. You want to get it over and done with. Also, by attempting suicide, they are not after attention. It's sad that people feel so depressed that they feel suicide is the only way out.



These are just a few of the things this vile woman has said. Depression is an illness. A real illness. You should never be ashamed to seek help. If you need help from a doctor, there is nothing wrong with that. If you need medication, there is also nothing wrong with that.
You can beat depression with the right help and support. Never be ashamed to speak up. You're wouldn't be ashamed of having a cold, or even cancer, so why be ashamed of having depression?
There is light at the end of the tunnel. You can get better from this horrible illness. Never give up and never take any notice of what other people think. To be able to seek help for depression shows how strong you are anyway. Having to get up everyday, wishing you weren't alive, shows how strong you are. You can get through this.