Depression doesn’t always look the way people expect it to. Sometimes it’s showing up, going through the motions, and feeling disconnected from the joy you used to know.
While others may not be able to see it, the weight can feel overwhelming on the inside.
That’s why every October, Depression Awareness Month serves as a reminder for millions of Americans silently fighting this battle that hope and healing are possible.
Depression Is Too Prevalent
According to Gallup, the percentage of U.S. adults who report currently having or being treated for depression has exceeded 18% in both 2024 and 2025.
As this condition becomes more prevalent, that statistic reveals a rising number of people losing hope in life. As its impact deepens, it often shows up in ways that are easy to overlook at first.
It can affect your thoughts, emotions, or even physical health. Here are some signs and symptoms to look out for:
Persistent sadness
Loss of interest
Changes in appetite or weight
Fatigue
Difficulty concentrating
Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
Suicidal thoughts
The Everyday Moments You Start to Miss
Contrary to popular belief, depression doesn’talways look like sadness. Sometimes it’s the quiet distance that forms between you and the moments that made you, you. Sometimes it’s:
Skipping out on dinner with family and friends because your energy isn’t there.
Sitting in the same room as your spouse but feeling miles away.
The unread text from a friend you’ve been meaning to answer for days.
And so much more. These missed moments start to add up.
Depression slowly takes up more space in people’s lives until even simple routines feel exhausting.
“Depression can make everyday life feel like a constant uphill climb,” said Dr. Philip Yam, Psychiatrist at Serenity Mental Health Centers. “But with the right treatment and support, that heaviness can lift, and people often rediscover parts of themselves they thought were lost.”
Healing Means Taking Back Your Life
Despite what your mind is telling you, healing is possible. It begins with support and understanding.
“Every person’s experience with depression is unique,” said Dr. Yam. “That’s why our approach is personalized and has shown remarkable results in helping patients regain motivation and feel more balanced in their daily lives.”
Serenity Mental Health Centers’ team of board-certified psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners offers innovative treatments such as ketamine infusion therapy, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and medication management to help people take back the moments they’re missing out on.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-medicated treatment that uses magnetic pulses to gently stimulate specific areas of the brain responsible for mood regulation, motivation, focus, and more. TMS treats particularly in the left prefrontal cortex, which is underactive in people with depression.
Ketamine Infusion Therapy can rapidly restore balance to brain circuits involved in mood and thought patterns, often providing relief in hours rather than weeks.
Medication Management: A full medical evaluation is done to determine if medication is necessary for a patient based on their history, symptoms, and goals.
“What we see every day is people rediscovering who they are beyond their depression,” said Alexandrea Tagle, Nurse Practitioner at Serenity Mental Health Centers. “It’s not just about feeling better it’s about getting back the laughter, the purpose, and the connection they thought they’d lost.”
“When I was going through depression, all I could do was just really sit around the house and watch TV and sleep,” said Jeff C., patient at Serenity. “I just had no motivation to do anything. Since taking the ketamine infusions, I feel like I’ve done a 180-degree turn… My motivation, my drive to do things and to be more active in my wife and my kids’ lives has come back.”
Stories like Jeff’s are what Depression Awareness Month is all about; reminding individuals everywhere that hope and healing are possible.
Serenity Mental Health Centers is ready to help you take your life back.
Book an appointment today at serenitymentalhealthcenters.com or call 844-310-1649.
