While mental health awareness is increasing in the general population, in some communities, the acceptance of depression is still a battle. The War Within looks at depression in young people of color, and examines the challenges of living with mental illness in their families and communities.
The video features candid interviews with real young people diagnosed with depression, and follows their stories from the emergence of their symptoms to their present-day treatment. The interviewees recall their most difficult experiences, including hopelessness, self-harm, and suicide attempts, to illustrate the strong grip depression once had on their lives. Though their stories are all different, they share many common themes, including the struggle to find understanding in their families and communities.
The interviews are interspersed with commentary from professional experts, who provide insightful observations about the lack of mental health awareness in the black and Latino communities. They discuss the prevalence of depression and the way it affects people of all races. They explain how racism and social-economic status increases populations’ vulnerability which thereby increases their susceptibility to depression. The experts also discuss the difficulty young people of color face in finding support within their families and communities, compounding their already challenging situations.
The young people interviewed offer positive insight to viewers, including the ways they sought help for their depression and the different methods of accessing care. Though their journeys began with incredibly difficult battles with depression, they share the hopeful outcomes which result from seeking support and treatment for depression.
