Former Student Seeks To Explain 'Smiling Depression'

The website "The Mighty" recently published an essay by Laura Coward '02 on "smiling depression."

"The feedback I'm seeing is that people had no idea this was an issue," Laura reports. "My depression started 18 years ago (half a lifetime!), while a sophomore at A&M. I was active in Fish Camp, Maggies, Delta Gamma, Carpool, Century Singers and Traditions Council, and most people had no idea I was depressed. I hid it, and many students and former students hide it, too. I have a hunch that smiling depression impacts literally hundreds–if not thousands–of Aggies. Take any group of Aggies and divide by 10 ... that's how many are likely affected."

"The Mighty" is an online community featuring "real stories by real people facing real challenges." 

In her essay, Laura writes that many people suffering from smiling depression are perfectionists, or they don’t want to appear weak or out of control. "The more we can shift the conversation to show positive role models with depression–those who advocate for the tailored mix of therapy, exercise, medication, sleep, diet–the less shame will be associated with the depression.

Read Laura's full essay at tx.ag/SmilingDepression.