Depression
19 Best Depression Videos of 2012
Depression is a major cause of chronic illness and lost productivity in the United States and around the world. Follow these excellent speakers in their creative—and sometimes challenging—takes on this debilitating condition.
Find out the biological nature of the disease and the best way to distinguish between natural grief and a real medical problem. Learn the basics (and much more) about depression by taking advantage of these free, high-quality resources. After all, sometimes it’s much better to see and hear what you need to know than to read it!
Heavy & Light: 2012 Introduction
This inspirational video opened To Write Love on Her Arms’ 2012 kick-off event at the Orlando House of Blues, and it’s a great kick-off to this list, too. It starts slowly and builds to a dramatic, rousing finish; it motivates viewers to start afresh and to realize that life is worth fighting for.
Depression can be a deadening, hollow experience from which many people doubt they will ever escape. Take this video’s advice and get the help you need, because “you deserve it.” Today can be the first day of the rest of your healthier, happier life—but only if you want it to be. Make it happen!
“WHALE” by Yellow Ostrich
This IMAlive.org public service announcement takes music videos to a higher level. Yellow Ostrich’s WHALE song shines with a potent, pertinent message: seek help. For the millions of individuals suffering from depression in silence, this video brings encouragement, hope, and a compassionate understanding of the despair they are facing.
If you are experiencing symptoms of depression or know someone who is, help avoid a crisis by making treatment a priority. Take a hint from Yellow Ostrich, and don’t let depression become your “whale” of a problem.
What I Have to Offer
Eliot Rausch speaks in artistic, heartrending prose in this touching clip. He speaks of purpose and meaning and human relationships. He ponders the reasons for which we are here, and offers listeners an insightful trip through what may be their very own thoughts.
After all, sometimes our own emotions are never so well described as through the passion and creativity of others. See if you find this video as poetic, stirring, and enlightening as have its many other fans.
“You are Not Alone” by MadV
MadV is one of YouTube’s most creative channels; their innovative, inspirational videography has won them awards and thousands of fans. In this remarkable clip, MadV endeavors to remind viewers that they are not alone—by showing videos posted by others in their situation.
A composite of clips from individuals experiencing emotional anguish, the desire to self-harm, and the despair of depression find artistic expression in this simple but sincere video. Remind yourself that there are many, many people who suffer like you, but no one should suffer in silence and isolation. Seek help.
“Long Black Train” by Josh Turner
The deep voice of Josh Turner sang some meaningful notes for listeners when he turned his voice toward discouraging suicide. Religious in nature, this country song tells people to hold on, to find victory in the Lord, and to watch out for the “Black Train” that tempts so many.
Although not everyone’s cup of tea, the stirring and inspiring song helped promote suicide prevention and awareness. Even better, his rich voice croons to listeners to seek healing and an end to their suffering through means other than suicide. Amen!
Stephen Fry Talks about His Depression
Stephen Fry is the captivating British star with a serious commitment to mental health awareness. His own bipolar disorder has been widely discussed, and in this brief interview he comments on the extreme period of depression that resulted in his admittance to a hospital and official diagnosis.
Find out where he disappeared to (and why) when his depression became overwhelming, and take inspiration from his honest treatment of the difficulty of depression—even when it seems he has everything to live for. His articulateness and frank coverage of mental health issues do everyone a major favor.
Jonah Mowry: What’s Going On…
This shocking, touching viral video captured the world’s attention when a 13-year-old Jonah Mowry confessed his depression and self-cutting to the world. A long-term victim of bullying and self-harm, this tragic teen shares his personal story through notecards, moving music, and a long letter to his viewers.
Find out what drove this young man to tears—and nearly to death—by watching this heartbreaking video. This excellent clip takes viewers straight into the mind and emotions of a pained individual seeking hope and healing from anyone willing to offer it.
“So Alone” by Anna Blue
The pop culture hit in computer graphic music videos, this music video by Anna Blue shows viewers a striking visual interpretation of isolation and depression. Although most listeners could relate to some of this song’s confessions, those with depression and a sense of hopelessness may feel as if this video represents much of what they experience.
From a desperate desire to free fall to the frustration and pain that leads to rash behavior, this video captures many angles of depressive thought. Check it out, and join the many fans of Anna Blue.
TEDxMaribor – Neel Burton and the Anatomy of Melancholy: Can Depression be Good for You?
Dr. Neel Burton, an award-winning psychiatrist and philosopher, offers an engaging presentation on the possibility of benefits from depression. Controversial but creative, this excellent thinker offers ideas that challenge conventional medical wisdom.
Learn about his unique perspective on this debilitating illness, and find out why he argues that depression can actually be a helpful experience in some circumstances. Take advantage of his informal TEDx talk to get a freebie look into the mind of one of England’s most novel theorists.
“Saving You” by Chris Ganim
The official song for To Write Love on Her Arms, this inspirational video speaks words full of meaning to its target audience. Listen to the touching lyrics as you view the inspirational photos collected by this awareness organization.
“Love” really is written on more than just a few arms in the lovely photos shared in this clip. The song offers listeners a reprieve from despair and solitude, even if just for a few short minutes. Thankfully, this Chris Ganim song also extends to encourage listeners to find hope and healing.
Charlie Rose Brain Series 2: Depression
Follow the incisive Charlie Rose on his journey to explore the human brain and its experience of depression. Listen as the world’s foremost experts on depression and the brain discuss the fascinating science and theory behind the mechanisms of this illness.
Get ready to take notes, as well, because this episode carries a huge bang for its buck. With Charlie Rose, cognitive science intersects with human health and emotion in a fascinating way; learning about depression becomes as much about the magic of the brain as the biology behind the condition.
Depression and Yoga Practice
Exercise and yoga are increasingly finding their way into comprehensive depression treatment (and prevention) plans. In this basic instructional video, yoga teacher Esther Ekhart offers a series of simple poses to help bring positive energy into the body and dispel poor moods.
This upbeat instructor offers great tips for finding peace and improving both physical and mental health. Follow her simple video as a first step, and consider taking advantage of even more in-depth yoga videos for depression to integrate a physical aspect to your mental healing.
Depression: The Male Silent Killer
Marianne Legato is a Professor of Clinical Medicine at Columbia University, and she is out to dispel the myth that women suffer from depression twice as often as men. She suggests a number of reasons why the condition may be often undiagnosed in men, and explains her beliefs about the true dangers of depression.
In addition to discussing this interesting difference between the sexes, this perceptive expert also comments on the difference between medication and recovery. She warns viewers to avoid making a crucial mistake once treatment with anti-depressants begins—find out what she means.
Rick Moody: The “Psychic Economics” of Creativity and Depression
Novelist and inspired thinker Rick Moody sheds an original light on the integration of depression and creative thought. Captivated with the ability of depression to take an individual outside of him or herself as well as outside of society, Moody posits that it is the solidarity associated with depression that allows him and other great thinkers to be so insightful.
Despite this apparent advantage of depression, Moody also philosophizes about the important contribution of proper treatment. He muses about anti-depressants and offers viewers an inside look at his personal take on health.
Childhood Depression
The topic of childhood depression can be intimidating and controversial. Dr. Charles Sophy, Medical Director of the LA County Department of Children & Family Services, offers his wealth of knowledge on the subject in this no-nonsense video.
Find out whether your child is too young to experience depression, and learn the warning signs of a serious mental break. This frank discussion of a difficult topic will offer the facts and advice you need for keeping an eye on your child’s mental health.
People with Depression Commit Suicide
Join Dick Cavett, talk show host and blogger for the New York Times, in his brief video on depression. He speaks from personal experience, encouraging viewers to seek help immediately for themselves and their loved ones as soon as depression enters the picture.
Anxious to help prevent unnecessary death, Dick Cavett encourages others to find treatment quickly—no matter how many times they have been depressed in the past. Learn from his experience, and take his honest advice to heart.
Depression: Out of the Shadows
In its classic insightful take on the most important issues of today, this PBS documentary shows the many faces of depression and its effects on everything from our loved ones to our careers. Learn the science behind depression and explore the meaning of this illness from a wide variety of perspectives.
Experts on human emotion and the widespread impact of this condition offer their understanding, and individuals with depression share their own stories to help the information hit home for viewers. An excellent documentary from start to finish.
The VisualMD: Depression
This fabulous compilation of personal interviews and factual information about the disorder offers an insightful take on depression. A great introductory video, this brief clip begins an entire series of excellent educational videos on depression.
Appealing graphics and down-to-life personal stories make this video one of the richest descriptive introductions to the disorder on the web. Find everything you need to know in the VisualMD’s Depression video series.
Writing and Reading Through Grief
Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison, renowned psychiatry professor and mental health advocate, discusses her husband’s final years and her own grieving process in this poignant interview. Typically committed to bipolar disorder awareness, this expert discusses a new aspect of her mental health in this video.
The fine line between healthy grief and medical depression is something Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison believes does not receive enough attention. Find out what she thinks about the distinction and what it means for your mental health by watching.
19 Best Depression Videos of 2012 Closing
Depression can be a painful, isolating, and confusing condition. Find companionship, information, and inspiration in this eclectic series of videos on depression. The insight of their heartfelt creators makes it clear that depression knows no gender, race, or socioeconomic limits.
Find out what makes these videos so special by seeing them for yourself—if depression is your own personal enemy, head into battle armed with the knowledge and encouragement of these fantastic clips.
