According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S.

We may all feel a little depressed mood at times; however, depression is much more than feeling a little blue. Some of the symptoms of depression include the following:

• Persistent sadness or emptiness
• irritability
• feeling hopelessness
• fatigue or lack of energy
• feelings of heaviness or moving slowly
• Feeling worthless or hopeless
• Restlessness
• Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, early morning rising, or sleeping too much
• Concentration or decision-making difficulties
• Changes of appetite or weight changes
• Somatic symptoms: headache, stomachache, aches and pains

Thoughts of death or suicide/ suicide ideations/ suicide attempts (If you feel suicidal, please contact your local emergency room, call 911, or contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255)