Depression and anxiety runs in my family both on my mother and father’s side, along with drug & alcohol addiction.  I struggle with depression, and at times anxiety.  My son has been struggling with depression for years, and in these photos in 2016 he was 21 years old, which is very sad.  As a child he was very happy, but sometime around the age of 10 this started, and got progressively worse.  In high school it got so bad that he said he wanted to die.  My husband and I worried that he would commit suicide, and we would find him in his room.  We have tried through the years to provide support for him, along with counseling. 

My images are of depression; and the impact it has on a persons life, my son’s life. Depression can affect people in different ways; with my son he feels lonely, empty, and not being worthy.  He is also tired and gloomy most of the time.  He has said to me several times that no ones cares about him, and I need to remind him that his family and friends do care a lot.  In the past he has used marijuana to self medicate, and now he drinks alcohol.  This doesn’t help with depression, it actually can make it worse.  I love my son, and only hope that in time he can get the help he needs.

My son has given me permission to post these images, so that they can bring awarenesses to this mental illness of depression.