This week marks Mental Health Awareness Week and today is National Depression Screening Day. Some one in five people live with mental illness at any given time in the United States. You may be one of them. As we mark this week, remember that it takes more courage to ask for help with your illness than it does to suffer in silence.

Major depression is more than just feeling blue or out of sorts. It’s more than just a bad day; it’s a deep down inside feeling that life itself is bad and isn’t going to get any better. If you or someone you know is depressed, please know that it is okay to seek help. Some of the symptoms of major depression are:

• Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness

• Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters

• Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports

• Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much

• Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort

• Changes in appetite — often reduced appetite and weight loss, but increased cravings for food and weight gain in some people

• Anxiety, agitation or restlessness

• Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements

• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or blaming yourself for things that aren’t your responsibility

• Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things

• Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide

• Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

Living with depression or any mental illness does not mean you have a flaw in character. It does not mean you are weak. Rather, it’s more likely a flaw in brain chemistry. Many mental illnesses can be treated with medication and therapy. If you are struggling, reach out. There are people who care and who can help you find your way out of the darkness of depression or other illnesses. You do not have to be alone, you do not have to feel that you are alone in your suffering.

If you are feeling suicidal, please reach out to a trusted other or a mental health professional or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.TALK.