By: Lisa Blomgren, Alumni Coordinator
As a dog owner, I know the importance of training a dog, trying to understand its ways, giving it grace when it acts out, and teaching it to heel when it gets out of line. Winston Churchill once called depression “a black dog.” This black dog is not a sweet, cuddly poodle that just wants treats. This black dog is a stray dog that follows you around day and night, and its needs start to become so great that you begin to neglect your own. You can try to fight this dog, ignore it, or avoid it by taking substances that make you forget it is behind you, but it is still there in the morning. You can even choose to let it in your home, allowing it to dirty your space as you lose interest in self-care and cleanliness. But this black dog is misunderstood. An important step in taming it is acknowledging it is there and asking for help from others who may have more experience training a wild animal, getting it to go away once and for all, or even learning to live alongside it.
Although the term “black dog” refers to depression, this video reminded me of my own unique struggles and how those black dogs, black clouds, or dark shadows (really whatever you want to call them), follow behind many of us. They may have some differences, but they still produce the same feelings of isolation and hopelessness. It takes an incredible amount of energy to deny or hide mental illness, and true healing occurs when we start to recognize it and learn to work with it.
You may tame your black dog, never allow it in your house again, find ways to keep it at bay through therapy, medication, and support systems, and give yourself grace if it starts to sneak its way back into your life, but your black dog does not have to rule your life.
If you are struggling with depression, we can help. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the alumni team for support! (561)-735-1136
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