The Sun Shines Again spreads depression awareness and educates the public about suicide prevention. The Sun Shines Again also empowers depression sufferers with the knowledge they need to live a fulfilling life. This website provides answers to the following questions:

• What is depression?
• What causes depression?
• What are the different types of depression?
• What treatment options are available?
• What if treatment is not sought?

If you don’t suffer from depression yourself, you probably know people who do even if they don’t talk about it. The stigma of depression often causes depression sufferers to remain silent. The stigma must end so it doesn’t prevent depression sufferers from seeking the support and treatment they need to live a fulfilling life.

The stigma often comes from those who don’t understand depression, which is why The Sun Shines Again is working to correct public misconceptions about depression sufferers. Despite what is known about depression today, 43% of Americans still believe depression results from a “weak will” or a “deficit in one’s character.” (1) This belief is completely incorrect. People who are able to persevere through the cruel illness of depression are actually incredibly strong.

Many celebrities, including those shown in Figure 1, have publicly shared their battles with depression to destigmatize the illness and dispel public misconceptions. By courageously sharing their stories, these celebrities show depression sufferers they don’t have to let the stigma of depression prevent them from seeking the support and treatment they need to recover.

(2)

There is hope because depression is treatable. With appropriate treatment, life gets so much better! If you currently suffer from depression, please take advantage of the many different treatment options available. Do not give up on finding the treatment that works best for you so you can reclaim the rich and fulfilling life you deserve! If you know people with depression who are not being treated, encourage them to take action to improve, perhaps even save, their lives.

It is vital for those with depression to obtain support and treatment for their illness. Avoiding help for any reason can result in fatal consequences. It’s difficult to discuss the painful topic of suicide but it’s only by discussing it that we can prevent it. A portion of this website is dedicated solely to the topic of suicide prevention. The more we learn about preventing suicide, the more lives we can save!

Whether you are visiting The Sun Shines Again because you suffer from depression yourself or you know people who do, I commend you for taking the first step towards improving your life and the lives of those you care about.

The Sun Shines Again will lead you on the journey to a brighter future. I guarantee you that life will get better if you take the time to read through this website and put the lessons you learn into action.

By spreading depression awareness and hope, we can improve and save lives.  Everyone deserves to live a rich and fulfilling life!

No matter how dark things may seem,

always remember: