10/09/2025
๐๐๐๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐ | What Lies Beyond the Naked Eye
Some days will shine like everything is possible, while others may feel heavy as if the world itself is holding its breath. Behind every smile and laugh, behind every casual conversation and daily routine, there are hidden storms that the naked eye cannot see. Eyes can be deceiving, and what we notice on the surface often tells only part of the story. Beyond these ordinary moments lie emotions, battles, and truths that often go unnoticed.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest, where every morning feels like a drag and every smile feels borrowed, often leading to thoughts of self-harm. According to a report by the National Health Institute, over 3.34% of Filipinos, mostly young people, were found to have experienced depression in the past year, excluding those who remain undiagnosed. Yet beyond its quiet heaviness lie the struggles no one sees, the battles constantly fought in silence, and emotions carried alone.
The Lies We Paint on
โItโs the lingering feeling of pain na kahit anong gawin mo, hindi mo maiiwasan, mai-ignore, o maaalis sa sistema mo,โ expressed a student who was previously diagnosed with depression.
This quiet struggle is often hidden behind smiles, conversations, and routines. It is not always visible in someone who socializes or seems โokay.โ Some people experience it as a constant heaviness, a daily struggle that persists even during ordinary moments. Others may feel numb, withdrawn, or quietly overwhelmed, carrying the weight without telling anyone.
โIn my case, I was the type na masasabi mong โdi [hindi] halataโ in a way, kasi I can still do stuff normally eh. I laugh with my friends, I do all my homework on time, I eat three times a day, pero once Iโm all alone with my thoughts, doon, hindi na natigil luha ko,โ the student confessed.
Quiet Havens
Misunderstandings about depression make it harder to recognize that not everyone who suffers appears sad, and not all symptoms are obvious and can be seen with the naked eye.
โSobrang hirap kasing harapin ang mga problema ng buhay, lalo na kungโฆ takot kang ma-judge at baka ma-invalidate ka lang,โ they shared.
Which is why every September, Su***de Prevention Month comes alive with campaigns, workshops, and outreach programs, offering quiet support to those carrying invisible struggles. It is a space where young people are reminded that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but a step toward light in the midst of mental darkness.
โI always admire these campaigns, kasiโฆ ayaw kong maranasan ng ibang tao โyung [iyong] naranasan ko na feeling ko wala na talagang tunay na nagca-care or nakaka-appreciate sa akin,โ they pointed out.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) leads the charge to raise awareness, spread hope, and inspire action with this yearโs theme: โStart a conversation. Be the difference.โ
The Words That Hold Weight
A simple question can be a catalyst for honesty. What may appear as normal on the surface may hide weeks, months, or even years of silent tension. A casual pause of your day to listen, a gentle check-in, and a sincere question can lift burdens that have been carried silently for far too long.
Even a smile, a laugh, or a routine day can hide storms that only empathy, awareness, and care can uncover.
โIt will get better. Hindi ka alone,โ the student genuinely said.
Beyond the naked eye lie struggles and emotions that rarely show, hidden beneath everyday smiles and routines. With it, a quiet depth of emotion, resilience, and untold stories waiting to be understood.
Written by: Alexandriah Delantar
Cartoon by: Samantha Benitez
Layout by: Andrea Octavo, Samantha Benitez
***dePreventionDay
