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[Kagus]

So I recently stumbled upon this page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/137249839758228/?ref=ts&fref=ts

Depression happens to be a very close subject for me, having both experienced it in myself and in others that I care about, so I think this might actually be one of those cheesy attention-grabbing Facebook things that I'll actually participate in.

This thing's kinda flying around under the radar, so I figured I'd link it here to spread a bit of awareness and also hear what the folks around here thought.

Now, if you'll excuse me, it's 2:18 in the morning and I'm starting to actually get tired enough to consider going to bed, so you'll have to excuse this from being a rather minimalist post.  Cheers.

[Kagus]

Basically:  Mark a black "X" on your cheek using a marker or tape or something for one day to show support for sufferers of depression, bipolarity, anorexia, and others who have thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

[Cthulhu]

How exactly does this help people?

[Kagus]

By acknowledging them and their day-to-day struggle, and by showing that you care enough to openly show support for their battle.  That's it.


Depression is a very introverted, isolated and friendless affliction.  It's entirely too common to feel completely alone in the world, regardless of how factual that might be.

Basically you're marking your face for a day to show the few sufferers who know about this and see you that you give a damn, and thus make them feel better.

[Flying Dice]

How exactly does this help people?

By making you feel better about yourself, like all Facebook "support" movements? It even works when they're years too late to be relevant, a la Kony. 

[dei]

I have Depression, Bipolar, and have tried cutting myself and strangling myself off and on since the third grade and let me tell you I do not like the idea of a Facebook support movement for people with Depression or Bipolar. I would rather someone think of me and mean it instead of making some stupid meaningless gesture that not even the potatoes would do.

inb4 someone asks what a potato is. I explained this already.

[Kogan Loloklam]

I'm starting a new movement.

Mark a Black X on you on 12/12/2012 if you wish you were a pirate or a ninja, but not the crappy sort, only the cool sort that doesn't exist in reality.

Ask everyone you see with an X "Pirate or Ninja?"

it'll be awesome! And do much better for depressed people than this other thing that's trying to hijack this black x day from piraty ninjaness.

Also, inb4someone asks a Randian question.

[Kagus]

Funny.  I've been met with a complete lack of sympathy or understanding in regards to my own experiences in this matter, and I personally think I'd feel better about having someone make an effort, even if it's just a small effort, to show that they actually regard the affliction as something more than just a life choice.

But I guess it really is to each their own.

[Kogan Loloklam]

Kagus, the feelings are not a choice, how you react to them is. You want awareness for the cure for depression? Or maybe you want people marked so it's easy to find them and isolate such supporters from society.

The goal of that day is to help cheer up depressed people, show that they are cared about and that people respect their illness... by marking their faces with big black xs.

Code: [Select]

X X
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Alas, poor Yorik. I knew him well, Horatio. A fellow of infinite Jest, of most excellent fancy.

12/12/12 is an excellent joke, but sitting in silence with an open ear does more than painting your face, unless you support pirates or ninjas.

I like you, and I'll send you a picture of a x in permanant marker on my body if it'll help you see the seriousness, but the facebook masses don't have the answer. It's but a fad. Easily promised, easily met, but emotionless and false.

[inteuniso]

Good cause, kind of puts a downer on my 18th birthday.

On a kinder note, I hope this does raise awareness for depression. A lot of people live with it so long they forget what it feels like to be happy.

[kaijyuu]

Depressed individuals need more intimate and personal sympathy, not just a symbol. I can't imagine it brightening anyone's day who is actually depressed.


If you want to spread "awareness" as to the nature of depression, start burning self-help books on the subject and start punching victim blamers in the face. A lot of people know depression exists, but few seem to realize that by its very nature, few to none of those with depression can actually help themselves overcome or mitigate it; outside and personalized help is necessary, from therapists and friends and family alike.

[ChairmanPoo]

Basically:  Mark a black "X" on your cheek using a marker or tape or something for one day to show support for sufferers of depression, bipolarity, anorexia, and others who have thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

... no.

Seriously, not only does this stuff not help anyone, but it looks silly. Which is why people use awareness ribbons when doing this kind of stuff instead.

[Detonate]

Basically:  Mark a black "X" on your cheek using a marker or tape or something for one day to show support for sufferers of depression, bipolarity, anorexia, and others who have thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

... no.

Seriously, not only does this stuff not help anyone, but it looks silly. Which is why people use awareness ribbons when doing this kind of stuff instead.

Which don't do anything either, except for maybe supporting the magnetic ribbon industry.

[ChairmanPoo]

No. But at least you don't look like a Cirque du Soleil reject

[dei]

Depressed individuals need more intimate and personal sympathy, not just a symbol. I can't imagine it brightening anyone's day who is actually depressed.


If you want to spread "awareness" as to the nature of depression, start burning self-help books on the subject and start punching victim blamers in the face. A lot of people know depression exists, but few seem to realize that by its very nature, few to none of those with depression can actually help themselves overcome or mitigate it; outside and personalized help is necessary, from therapists and friends and family alike.

For once I agree with you.