The REAL epidemic we should be worried about.

I read a lot about the supposed "obesity epidemic" in our country and see so many resources being devoted to preventing "overweight" amongst children and adults. And you know what? I'm FED. UP.

Imagine if just a fraction of those resources could be spent on the SECOND MOST impactful condition on overall health in this country that causes immeasurable suffering and shortens lifespans--that is an real epidemic. Imagine if we could talk about actual diagnoses that are causing us pain instead of our own judgments about another person's health based on solely their body size (which reflects more about our own failures/shortcomings than it possibly could about anybody else).

Because here's the thing: you will know NOTHING about somebody's physical, emotional, and mental health by looking at them. Nothing. You know nothing until somebody discloses that information to you.

Talking about mental health is hard and scary and obviously very stigmatised, so I get it--it's no fun. It's way easier to just make a split second judgement about somebody passing down the street. But you know what happens when you assume..

How about spending all those resources and all that energy you'd spend on judgment on doing something that actually supports and helps, eh? So when somebody tells you they struggle with depression, you have the opportunity to support them and hold their hand (physically or metaphorically) as they work to heal--and trust me, it is work.

Some super fun facts to keep in mind:

• Depression shortens your life by up to 10 years. (For people who claim "obesity" shortens lifespan, depression still has them beat by 2 years)
• Depression has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease--not to mention significant reduction in quality of life
• Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with depression
• Rates of depression are absolutely skyrocketing, with the doctor quoted in the article estimating, "by 2030, depression will be the number-one cause for loss of longevity or life."
• Mental health is health.

The world is a scary fuckin place. There's an endless supply of issues to work through, so let's prioritise one that we know is so real, one that causes so much suffering in our communities and is only getting worse. We all live in a world that is so toxic to mental and physical health--so please, bring awareness to moments that you make judgements about somebody's health status, catch yourself, and shift your attention to how you can show them compassion. You know nothing about that person--so at the very least you can be kind. We can all use way more of that.