Depression Thoughts Research Articles

Online education during COVID-19: perception of academic stress and emotional intelligence coping strategies among college students

PurposeDue to COVID-19 pandemic, the government around the world has closed all the educational institutions to control the spread of disease, which is creating a direct impact on students, educators and institutions. The sudden shift from the physical classroom to virtual space is creating a disruption among students. The purpose of this study was to analyze the perception of academic stress experienced by students during current online education and coping strategies using emotional intelligence adopted by them.Design/methodology/approachUsing a purposive sampling method, data were collected on a sample of 94 students pursuing undergraduation and postgraduation from two Indian cities, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai. The survey was conducted using two online questionnaires, Perceptions of Academic Stress Scale and Emotional Intelligence Scale and analyzed using descriptive statistics with chi-square analysis. A telephonic discussion was also conducted with some respondents to understand different coping strategies used by them to handle the stress.FindingsThe findings indicated significant differences were observed between the fear of academic failure and online and home environment among male and female students. Many of them have started diverting themselves to various creative activities and taking up courses that are helping them to learn new technical skills. By using emotional intelligence and distancing from boredom and depressive thoughts, students were trying to cope with negative effects arising from the current pandemic situation.Research limitations/implicationsThis research study will be beneficial to educators, scholars, students, parents and will add a contribution to its field. However, the key factors studied were limited to a small sample from selected institutions and cities, which cannot be used to generalize to a large population.Practical implicationsThe findings of this paper will be useful to assess the key challenges of online education especially at the time when it is the only option.Social implicationsThe findings of this paper will be beneficial to understand the academic stress experienced by students and how a cultural and educational modification will be implemented.Originality/valueThis research study was conducted during the lockdown in India (April–May 2020), and the results derived through it are original in nature.

Direct and Indirect Associations Between Loneliness and Thoughts of Self-Harm Among a Clinical Sample of Older Adults With Serious Mental Illness.

This cross-sectional study examines the relationships of loneliness and depressive symptoms to thoughts of self-harm among a clinical sample (n = 150) of older adults (M = 58.42 years, SD = 5.86 years; male, 55.3%; African American, 61.3%) with serious mental illness (SMI) receiving publicly funded, community-based psychiatric rehabilitation services. Participants completed the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Patient Health Questionnaire 9, and Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form. Mediation analyses tested the association of loneliness with thoughts of self-harm through depressive symptoms and were adjusted for social support and demographic variables. The direct association of loneliness with thoughts of self-harm was mediated by depressive symptoms; indirect associations of overall and emotional loneliness to thoughts of self-harm were significant. Findings suggest the need for clinicians to reduce feelings of loneliness among older adults with SMI as a means of partially ameliorating depressive symptoms and thoughts of self-harm.

Contribution of community-based sociotherapy interventions for the psychological well-being of Rwandan youths born to genocide perpetrators and survivors: analysis of the stories telling of a sociotherapy approach

BackgroundPsychological well-being (PWB) refers to inter- and intra-individual levels of positive functioning that include one’s relatedness with others and self-referent attitudes that include one’s sense of mastery and personal growth. PWB consists of hedonism and eudaimonia building on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Sociotherapy is a community-based health intervention that contributes to the promotion of PWB worldwide. Starting from an analysis of trauma transmitted from the perpetrators and survivors of the Rwandan genocide to their descendants, this article is aimed at exploring the contribution of therapeutic sessions to PWB among youth.MethodA qualitative study design based on shared testimonies was carried out. Field reports from the sociotherapists, written texts, and testimonies of changes presented in the conviviality meetings were analyzed using transactional analysis. We included 24 reflexive texts upon completion of 8 months of the therapeutic program.ResultsResults indicated that before sociotherapy sessions, youth born to genocide survivors and perpetrators had psychosocial distress, including low self-esteem, hopelessness, anxiety, stigma, thoughts of revenge, shame, depression, and antisocial behaviors. Sociotherapy significantly contributed to the reduction of these psychosocial problems. Participating youth reported feeling safe, trusted, respected, and healthier than before the sociotherapy. This intervention created inner healing, social cohesion, alleviated their sufferings of trauma, restored their families and contributed to community resilience. Results revealed that youth developed PWB, helping them to what appeared to be psychosocial problems as being potentially healthy, enhancing self-acceptance, and respecting humanity. Youth also became the vector for the reconciliation and reconstruction of their humanity.ConclusionSociotherapy is a community health intervention that has an effective outcome on the personal well-being of of youth. This therapy impacted the individual, social, and familial resilience of youth who developed their capacity to regain and maintain health. The intervention restored their PWB, characterized by increased positive functioning specifically in the areas of autonomy, ecological mastery, individual growth, purpose in life, good relationships with others, and improved self-esteem.

Relationship between premenstrual syndrome and sleep quality among nursing and medical students.

This study was performed to determine relationship between premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and sleep quality among nursing and medical students. This descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study was completed with 313 students attending the nursing department and medical faculty. Data were collected using the premenstrual syndrome scale (PMSS) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). The PSQI was positively correlated with PMSS and its subscales scores. Sleep changes were the strongest predictor, followed by depressive thoughts (p < .01), depressive mood, bloating and total PMSS (p < .05) for sleep quality. Training should be organized about PMS for university students to provide information and skills about managing symptoms, and to increase the awareness about this syndrome. Interventional studies should be planned to increase sleep quality in PMS.

Cultural and Developmental Principles for Asian American Women's Mental Health: Lessons From AWARE on College Campuses.

Despite common perceptions of Asian Americans as a "model minority," Asian American women have high rates of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. However, they show low utilization of mental health services and may require culturally sensitive treatment approaches. Asian Women's Action for Resilience and Empowerment (AWARE) is an eight-session, culturally grounded intervention designed for use on college campuses to address this unmet mental health need. Utilizing a group format, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and individual text messaging, AWARE provides strategies to address the mental health risks associated with Asian American women's disempowerment at individual, interpersonal, community, and system (cultural) levels.

Depression and suicidal thoughts in untreated and treated narcolepsy: Systematic analysis.

To assess the frequency and determinants of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts in adults with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) and controls, as well as the changes after NT1 management and the risk factors of major depressive episode (MDE) and suicide risk (SR) in NT1. Two hundred ninety-seven patients with NT1 (age 39 ± 17 years, 172 drug-free) and 346 controls (age 38 ± 16 years) underwent a comprehensive clinical evaluation including the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) self-questionnaire, with 1 item on suicidal thoughts. One hundred one drug-free patients with NT1 completed the BDI-II a second time during treatment. In 162 patients with NT1, the face-to-face Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview was performed to formally diagnose current MDE and SR. BDI-II total scores were higher in patients with NT1 than controls and in untreated than treated patients. Patients with moderate to severe BDI-II scores (24.9%) were less educated, were more frequently obese, and had more severe narcolepsy symptoms, more autonomic dysfunctions, and poorer quality of life. Results were unchanged in models adjusted for NT1 medication intake. Suicidal thoughts were more frequent in untreated patients than controls (22.7% vs 12.4%). Patients with suicidal thoughts were more likely to be men and to have more severe narcolepsy symptoms. After narcolepsy management, BDI-II total score and suicidal thoughts decreased. MDE was diagnosed in 29 (18.1%) and SR in 27 (16.9%) patients. Depression, depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, and SR were frequent in patients with NT1, especially those without treatment, and were associated with NT1 severity. Depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts improved after NT1 management.

Material hardship, perceived stress, and health in early adulthood

PurposeWe examined the associations between material hardship and health outcomes in early adulthood and the extent to which these associations are mediated by perceived stress. MethodsWe used wave I and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, a nationally representative survey of young adults aged 18–34 years old (n = 13,313). Multivariate logistic regression and decomposition methods were used to evaluate the associations between types and depth of material hardship (food, bill-paying, and health resource hardship), health outcomes (self-rated health, depression, sleep problems, and suicidal thoughts) in early adulthood, and the extent to which these associations were mediated by perceived stress. ResultsThe adjusted odds of fair or poor health status, depression, sleep problems, and suicidal thoughts were higher among individuals with material hardship than counterparts without. A considerable proportion of the association between material hardship and health outcomes was attributable to perceived stress. ConclusionsMaterial hardship is associated with adverse health outcomes in early adulthood, and these relationships are robust after accounting for various sociodemographic characteristics and family background. Perceived stress accounted for a sizable portion of the effects of material hardship on health. Public Health ImplicationsEfforts to promote health equity in young adults should focus on material hardship and associated stressful conditions.

Investigating Mental Health of US College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

BackgroundEvidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has generally increased levels of stress and depression among the public. However, the impact on college students in the United States has not been well-documented.ObjectiveThis paper surveys the mental health status and severity of depression and anxiety of college students in a large university system in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsAn online survey was conducted among undergraduate and graduate students recruited from Texas A&M University via email. The survey consisted of two standardized scales—the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the General Anxiety Disorder-7—for depression and anxiety, and additional multiple-choice and open-ended questions regarding stressors and coping mechanisms specific to COVID-19.ResultsAmong the 2031 participants, 48.14% (n=960) showed a moderate-to-severe level of depression, 38.48% (n=775) showed a moderate-to-severe level of anxiety, and 18.04% (n=366) had suicidal thoughts. A majority of participants (n=1443, 71.26%) indicated that their stress/anxiety levels had increased during the pandemic. Less than half of the participants (n=882, 43.25%) indicated that they were able to cope adequately with the stress related to the current situation.ConclusionsThe proportion of respondents showing depression, anxiety, and/or suicidal thoughts is alarming. Respondents reported academic-, health-, and lifestyle-related concerns caused by the pandemic. Given the unexpected length and severity of the outbreak, these concerns need to be further understood and addressed.

Empowering Secondary Students to Overcome Cyberbullying through Peer-Helper Training

The number of cyberbullying cases in Indonesia is one of the highest in the world. Cyberbullying could impact the victims to have low academic motivation, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Most of the cyberbullying victims are high school students. Therefore, the training is designed to provide student knowledge about forms, characteristics, and the negative impacts of cyberbullying, so that students can overcome the impact. The training used a single-group pretest-posttest design, in which participants' knowledge and attitude were measured before and after training was delivered. The module contains two main topics: knowledge of cyberbullying, and how to make friends in a digital environment safely. As much as 60 students participated in the training. The result showed that there is an increasing score from pre-test to post-test (from 7.13 to 72). It can be concluded that the contents of the training could increase participants' knowledge regarding cyberbullying.

Effects of COVID-19 on College Students' Mental Health in the United States: Interview Survey Study.

BackgroundStudent mental health in higher education has been an increasing concern. The COVID-19 pandemic situation has brought this vulnerable population into renewed focus.ObjectiveOur study aims to conduct a timely assessment of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of college students.MethodsWe conducted interview surveys with 195 students at a large public university in the United States to understand the effects of the pandemic on their mental health and well-being. The data were analyzed through quantitative and qualitative methods.Results Of the 195 students, 138 (71%) indicated increased stress and anxiety due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Multiple stressors were identified that contributed to the increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depressive thoughts among students. These included fear and worry about their own health and of their loved ones (177/195, 91% reported negative impacts of the pandemic), difficulty in concentrating (173/195, 89%), disruptions to sleeping patterns (168/195, 86%), decreased social interactions due to physical distancing (167/195, 86%), and increased concerns on academic performance (159/195, 82%). To cope with stress and anxiety, participants have sought support from others and helped themselves by adopting either negative or positive coping mechanisms.Conclusions Due to the long-lasting pandemic situation and onerous measures such as lockdown and stay-at-home orders, the COVID-19 pandemic brings negative impacts on higher education. The findings of our study highlight the urgent need to develop interventions and preventive strategies to address the mental health of college students.

Perceived family and individual social status and its association with depression and suicidality in an adolescent clinical sample.

There is a well-documented association between subjective social status (SSS) and depression among adults. Yet, the research on SSS and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adolescent minority populations is limited. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the adolescent's SSS and mental health in an adolescent sample. A total of 197 adolescents ages 12 to 18 years (M age = 14.58; SD = 1.54) and their parents were recruited in urban outpatient clinics. Sociodemographics and measures of depression, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and SSS were collected in a cross-sectional survey and through chart review. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to calculate statistical associations with depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Significant negative associations were found between SSS and depression, suicidal ideation, and prior suicidal attempts, independent of socioeconomic status. Consideration should be given to assessing measures of social rank to appraise risk in adolescent outpatient clinical settings.

A Record Review on the Health Status of Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh.

The Rohingya refugee crisis is neither new nor a sudden problem for Bangladesh. However, the recent violence in August 2017 instigated the migration of 6,93,000 additional Rohingyas into Bangladesh and as of June 2018, around one million Rohingya refugees were residing in Bangladesh. Against this backdrop, it is important to know their current health status because, without this information, equal and equitable health service provision is not possible. So, we conducted this review to understand the current health status of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. For this purpose, a systematic literature search was conducted in July 2018 using transparent selection criteria and the keywords "Rohingya", "Health", Bangladesh". After screening the title and abstract and removing duplication, 12 articles and 21 organizational reports were found eligible for final review. Major health problems prevailing among Rohingya refugees are unexplained fever, acute respiratory infection, and diarrhea. Non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and their risk factors are also highly prevalent among these people. More than half of the Rohingya refugees are women and many of them experience sexual abuse or exploitation. More than 50,000 Rohingya refugee women were pregnant, however, a significant portion of pregnant women did not have access to quality antenatal care. Mental health problems like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and suicidal thoughts were also commonly prevailing in the Rohingya community.

Prescription opioid misuse among university students: A systematic review

Misuse of prescription opioids has substantially increased in the past decade among the general population, including among university students. Relative to the literature concerning opioid misuse among the general population, little information is available regarding the college student population. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature concerning the prevalence of prescription opioid misuse among the university student population. Results: The lifetime estimate for prescription opioid misuse among general populations of students ranged from 4% to 19.7%, with higher estimates for special student populations. Students most at risk for misuse of prescription opioids are those who report higher rates of psychological distress, depression, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and white, male students who use alcohol and illicit drugs. Conclusions: Findings from this study underscore the need for opioid prevention and intervention programs on university campuses.

The negative impact of long working hours on mental health in young Korean workers.

Long working hours are known to have a negative effect on health. However, there is no clear evidence for a direct link between mental health and long working hours in the young adult populations. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether long working hours are associated with mental health in young adult workers. Data were collected from a 2012 follow-up survey of the Youth Panel 2007. A total of 3,332 young adult employees (aged 20 to 35) were enrolled in the study. We analyzed stress, depression, and suicidal thoughts by multivariate logistic regression analysis based on working hours (41 to 50, 51 to 60 and over 60 hours, compared to 31 to 40 hours per week), which was adjusted for sex, age, marriage status, region, and educational level. From the 3,332 young adult employees, about 60% of the workers worked more than 40 hours and 17% of the workers worked more than 50 hours per week. In a Chi-square test, stress level, depression, and suicidal thoughts increased with increasing working hours (p-value <0.001, 0.007, and 0.018, respectively). The multivariate logistic regression model showed that, compared to the 31 to 40 hours per week group, the adjusted odds ratios of the 41 to 50, 51 to 60, and over 60 hours per week groups for stress were 1.46(1.23–1.74), 2.25(1.79–2.83) and 2.55(1.72–3.77), respectively. A similar trend was shown in depression [odds ratios: 2.08(1.23–3.53), 2.79(1.44–5.39) and 4.09(1.59–10.55), respectively] and suicidal ideation [odds ratios: 1.98(0.95–4.10), 3.48(1.48–8.19) and 5.30(1.61–17.42), respectively]. We concluded that long working hours were associated with stress, depression, and suicidal ideation in young employees, aged 20 to 35.

The relations between childhood maltreatment, shame, guilt, depression and suicidal ideation in inpatient adolescents

BackgroundPrevious studies demonstrated positive relations between various forms of maltreatment and suicidal ideation in youth; however, mechanisms underlying these relationships are not well understood. We propose that the experience of maltreatment in childhood may lead to high levels of generalized guilt and shame, resulting in an increase of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts in adolescents. The aim of the current study was to test our model of relations between these constructs using path analysis. Methods112 inpatient adolescents aged 12-17 years completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire to measure various types of maltreatment, the Personal Feelings Questionnaire to evaluate generalized guilt and shame, the Beck Depression Inventory-II to assess depressive symptoms, and the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale to assess suicidal ideation. ResultsFindings partly confirmed the theoretical model. Indirect positive effects of sexual and emotional abuse, as well as emotional and physical neglect on suicidal ideation via generalized self-conscious emotion and/or depression were demonstrated. In contrast to our predictions, indirect negative effects of physical abuse on suicidal thoughts via generalized guilt and shame and depression were found. LimitationsSample characterized by predominately Caucasian inpatient adolescents from financially stable and well-educated environments, over-reliance on self-report measures and the lack of a longitudinal design were main limitations of the study. ConclusionsThe study provides novel information on the potential mechanisms underlying the association between childhood maltreatment and suicidal ideation in adolescents. Generalized guilt and/or shame could be possible targets for interventions for victims of some forms of maltreatment to reduce depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation.

“Yuvanpidika : A modern and Ayurvedic perspective.”

Acne vulgaris is a chronic skin disease of the pilo-sebaceous unit and develops due to blockages in the skin's hair follicles. It is characterized by blackheads or whiteheads, pimples, oily skin, and possible scarring It primarily affects areas of the skin with a relatively high number of oil glands, including the face, upper part of the chest, and back. These blockages are thought to occur as a result of the following four abnormal processes: a higher than normal amount of oily sebum production (influenced by androgens), excessive deposition of keratin protein leading to comedo formation, colonization of the follicle by Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) bacteria, and the local release of pro-inflammatory chemicals in the skin. The resulting appearance can lead to anxiety, reduced self-esteem and, in extreme cases, depression or suicidal thoughts.&#x0D; In Ayurveda, it is termed as Mukhadushika. In Ayurveda, Mukhadushika is described under the heading of Kshudra rogas. These diseases are called as Kshudra because of their lesser severity. According to Sushruta Samhita Nidan Sthana, these are Shalmali thorn like eruption found on the face of adolescents are called as Mukhadushika or Yuvan Pidika. These are impregnated with Meda. Vitiated Vata Dosha, Kapha Dosha and Rakta Dosha are considered to be the main Samprapti Ghatak of Mukhadushika. In Ayurveda treatment of diseases is mainly of two types of Chikitsa are described i.e. Shodhana Chikitsa and Shamana Chikitsa. Similarly in Mukhadushika also Shodhana and Shamana Chikitsa is done.

Influence of a Physical Exercise Program in the Anxiety and Depression in Children with Obesity.

(1) Background: The high prevalence of childhood obesity and its multicausal etiology make it necessary to approach it through different strategies, whose objective is to promote the physical, mental, and social well-being of children. Regular physical activity, in addition to having positive effects on the physical environment of those who practice it, influences positively in psychological aspects such as anxiety and depression, which are very frequent in children with obesity and overweight. (2) Objective: To analyze the changes produced by a program of physical exercise based on anthropometric indicators and levels of anxiety and depression in a population of Mexican children with obesity. (3) Methods: A longitudinal study with experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). The analysis population consisted of 105 children with a body mass index (BMI) for their gender and age group above the 95th percentile, of which 60 were girls and 45 were boys, with a mean age of 10.02 years (SD ± 0.79). By randomizing the participants, 54 were part of the EG and 51 of the, CG The EG participated in a physical exercise program, distributed in two weekly sessions, each lasting 50 min, for 20 consecutive weeks. The CG group continued its usual activities during the intervention period. An inferential analysis was performed between the socio-demographic, anthropometric and psychological variables. (4) Results: The implementation of a physical exercise program in children with obesity favors the appearance of positive thoughts, with improvements in their emotional well-being, self-perception and self-concept; although it does not produce significant changes in weight, height, Z-Score, level of anxiety or depressive thoughts. (5) Discussion: Regular physical exercise practice has positive effects on mental health, although new studies are required to analyze specifically its influence on anxiety and depression in children with obesity.

Effect of Drug Abuse and Health Risks Among Undergraduates of Federal Universities in Nigeria

OBJECTIVE: The study investigated the effect of drug abuse and health risks among undergraduates of Federal Universities in Nigerian. &#x0D; &#x0D; METHODS: The study adopted a descriptive research design. The sample of the study consisted of four hundred and fifty-eight (458) undergraduates. The study adopted structured questionnaire. Cronbach Alpha Reliability Co-efficient was used to determine the instruments which yielded reliability coefficients of 0.78. Data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The questionnaire items were drawn and coded on a 4-point scale: Strongly Agree -4 points, Agree -3 points, Disagree -2 points, and Strongly Disagree -1 point. These responses were based on positively worded items while reverse was for the negatively worded items. The average score from coded data (4+3+2+1 =10/4) was 2.50.&#x0D; &#x0D; RESULTS: The findings of the study indicated that health risks of drug abuse can leads to drug addiction, hepatitis, HIV/AIDs, cancer or mental illness, heart or lung disease, heart attack, communicable diseases, brain damages, mental confusion, depression and suicidal thoughts or attempt to commit suicide. The findings also revealed that risks factors of drugs abuse among undergraduates includes influence of peer pressure, lack of basic knowledge about the dangers of drugs, lack of parental supervision, poor relationship with parents and poor achievement in school.&#x0D; &#x0D; CONCLUSION: In view of the above findings, it is concluded that there should be an intense media campaign aimed at enlightening the undergraduates and indeed Nigerians at large on the dangers and consequences of drug abuse and the health risks.

Depression and suicidal behavior in LGB and heterosexual populations in Serbia and their differences: Cross-sectional study.

BackgroundSexual identity is a significant risk factor for triggering symptoms of depression, as well as for suicide attempts in lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) population compared to the heterosexual population. To the best of our knowledge, data on the mental health of LGB persons in Serbia are lacking, and this is the first study to address this problem. The aim of the study was to examine the association between selected determinants and depression, and selected determinants and suicide attempts in LGB and heterosexual populations in the Republic of Serbia, as well as, their differences.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in 2015 of 264 heterosexual and LGB respondents using the "snowball sampling" method. We used linear regression analyses to investigate the relationship between socio-demographic variables and different sexual identity categories with PHQ-9 scores. We assessed associations between suicide attempts, and socio-demographic characteristics, sexual identity, depression, and suicidal thoughts using logistic regression.ResultsDepression symptoms were higher in female relative to male participants, in participants who were single, divorced or widowed in comparison to currently married, among people with a middle level of education compared to highly educated, and in respondents identified as bisexual or homosexual in comparison to heterosexual. Homosexual and bisexual participants reported suicidal attempts 27 [Odds Ratio (OR) = 27.31] and six times (OR = 6.40) more often than did heterosexual respondents, respectively. Suicide attempts were less frequently reported by single, divorced or widowed participants in comparison to married (OR = 0.25) and those with middle education (OR = 0.38) compared to highly educated.ConclusionsThe present study showed that LGB persons in Serbia have significantly more symptoms of depression and suicide attempts compared to heterosexuals. Public health interventions should focus on the early detection of depression and on overcoming prejudicial and discriminatory attitudes. Also, intervention should emphasize that homosexuality and bisexuality are normal, equal and morally acceptable expressions of human sexuality.

Is this what depression looks like? Visual narratives of depression on social media

Humans are inherent storytellers that in turn shapes our identity. The tendency to talk about health and illness is called ‘illness narratives.’ Most research on illness narratives is generated from diaries, interviews, and surveys. However, text is not the only means of expression. An alternative is to produce images of illness, known as ‘visual illness narratives.’ Depression is a common and serious illness, which can lead to serious health hazards. Despite the increased use of images on social media, little research has been done on visual narratives of depression. The current study examines such illness narratives elicited through images on Tumblr. Fourteen patients with moderately severe depression (Mean age = 27), mostly female (N = 12) were recruited from a counselling centre. Participants were presented with 72 depression-related images from Tumblr in a semi-structured interview. Participants sorted the images into three piles, based on personal relevance, and then talked in detail about each image. Inductive thematic analysis identified six themes providing rich insights into participants’ depressive states, dysfunctional thoughts, suicidal ideation, lifestyle changes, help-seeking, and social struggles. The study offers insights to improve care for depressed individuals using visuals of depression on social media.