Depression Awareness Month: A Therapist’s Reflection on Naming the Unseen
By Jen Bennethum, Trauma-Informed Clinician & Advocate
October invites us to slow down and listen. As the days shorten and the air cools, we’re reminded that not all seasons are bright—and that darkness, too, has its place. Depression Awareness Month offers a sacred opportunity to name what often goes unnoticed: the quiet weight, the invisible ache, the stories we carry in silence.
In my work as a therapist, I sit with people in their most vulnerable moments. I witness the courage it takes to say, “I’m not okay,” and I honor the complexity of what that means. Depression doesn’t always look like sadness. Sometimes it shows up as irritability, fatigue, disconnection, or even relentless overachievement. It can be masked by smiles, buried under responsibilities, or dismissed as laziness. But beneath the surface, it is real—and it is worthy of care.
What I Wish Everyone Knew About Depression
Depression is not a character flaw. It is not a failure of willpower or a lack of gratitude. It is often a response to deep pain, unresolved grief, trauma, or neurochemical shifts that deserve attention and compassion. It can affect anyone—children navigating family transitions, veterans carrying invisible wounds, caregivers stretched thin, and adults facing hormonal changes or life transitions. No one is immune, and no one should feel ashamed.
Healing is possible. Depression is treatable, and there are many paths to wellness. Therapy can offer a safe space to explore patterns, build resilience, and reconnect with meaning. Medication may help regulate mood and energy. Nutrition, movement, sleep, and connection all play vital roles in recovery. There is no single formula, but there is hope—and it begins with acknowledgment.
You don’t have to wait until you’re in crisis to seek support. Early intervention matters. Prevention matters. And sometimes, the most powerful step is simply naming what hurts.
Tools That Help
In my practice, I integrate approaches that honor both the science and the soul. Narrative therapy helps clients reclaim their stories and reframe internalized shame. Ritual-based healing creates space for grief, transition, and renewal—especially for those navigating intergenerational trauma or spiritual disconnection. Generational mapping allows families to visualize inherited patterns and begin the work of breaking cycles. Psychoeducation empowers clients to understand their symptoms, reduce stigma, and make informed choices about their care.
For those experiencing perimenopause, chronic stress, or caregiver burnout, I also offer personalized nutrition and self-care routines. Mental health lives in the body, and supporting metabolic health, hormone balance, and energy regulation can be a powerful part of the healing process.
Let’s Talk About It
This month, I invite you to lean into conversation. Share your story if and when you’re ready. Check in on someone who seems “fine”—because high-functioning depression is often missed. Normalize therapy not just as a crisis tool, but as a space for growth, reflection, and recalibration. Advocate for mental health screenings in schools, workplaces, and veteran communities. And most importantly, remind yourself and others that asking for help is an act of strength.
Depression Awareness Month is not just about statistics—it’s about stories. It’s about reclaiming language, reducing stigma, and reminding each other that healing is possible. You are not alone. You are not broken. You are worthy of support.
If you’re curious about therapy, or want to explore personalized support, I’m here to walk with you.
Resources Worth Sharing
Closing Reflections
As we honor Depression Awareness Month, let this be a reminder that healing is not linear, and visibility matters. Whether you’re a clinician, a caregiver, a survivor, or someone quietly navigating your own storm, your experience is valid. Depression may isolate, but awareness reconnects. By naming the unseen, sharing our stories, and advocating for compassionate care, we create space for collective healing. This month—and every month—may we continue to hold hope, honor complexity, and walk alongside one another with courage and care. Please let us know at Integrate Therapy and Wellness Collective how we can help support you and walk with you on your journey to wholeness.
