Depression as a hero’s journey: The role of the supporting act

By Nisya Salsabila Putri

In recent years, mental health has been a huge talk all over the world, with one of the most talked about topics being depression.

The rise in awareness over the issue triggers more discussions on each survivor’s own hero’s journey with depression, what each villain looks like, and how the supporting roles in their life help them reach their own resolutions.

Joseph Campbell first introduced the concept of ‘hero’s journey’ in his book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces. The term itself refers to the story template writers use, where the main character of a movie- the hero- goes on a journey, most of the time with the supporting acts, learns something new, and comes back as a new person.

Though the light shed on the topics surrounding mental health has never been brighter, not much of the light itself is shone on how we, as the supporting act, can better assist these heroes in their journey to defeat their arch nemesis, depression.

So in my quest to find an answer, I decided to take the time and virtually ‘sit down’ with Associate Professor Dr Anasuya Jegathesan— Programme Director of Taylor’s Psychology Program, Dr Wan Puspa Melati—a senior lecturer and expert in social psychology, and Cindia Dwiseptira Rikaren—a final-year university student in Samarinda, Indonesia, and a hero in the making.

“There’s no magic that can help you. There’s only presence and willingness to be there,”

said Dr Anasuya

(Source: Pexels/Polina Zimmerman)

(These interviews have been edited and condensed)

Could you explain what depression really is?

Dr Anasuya: It can either refer to a chemical imbalance in the brain (usually of serotonin or dopamine) or episodes of low emotional states caused by events in our life. Though usually with most people it is the latter.

Dr Melati: It also translates differently in each person, which is why proper diagnosis from authorised mental health professionals is really important. If we only look at the common symptoms like mood swings and loss of interest, I think we all could think that we have it, while that may not be the case.

Cindia: Well, for me personally, the villain is a habitual shape-shifter. It would switch between episodes of grenade-like explosions, to a need to hurt myself, and to chronic emptiness. And while I’ve been clean from cutting for 2 months, the numbness still often kicks in.

Can depression turn into a more severe problem when it is left untreated?

Dr Anasuya: It definitely can. Think of depression and mental health as similar to diabetes. With people who are borderline diabetic, if they try to change their diet and lifestyle, then the chances of them getting diabetes would be reduced. But if they choose to continue their life as before, then the chances of them actually crossing over the line and getting diabetes would also be higher.

Cindia: In my case, the feeling that something was ‘not right’ actually started 10 years ago. But because of some family issues, it took a while for me to get properly diagnosed. Last year I went to a psychiatrist and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but it is also mixed since I show symptoms of depression, hypomania, and mania.

So, what are some of the best ways to help these heroes go through their journey?

Dr Anasuya: The best thing is always to offer our presence and to simply ask what they need, because there is no global list of things that we can or cannot do. What might work for some might not work for others. Be present, whenever you’re in a conversation with them, which includes paying attention to their non-verbal cues.

Willingness and understanding are also needed as there would be times when the depression would talk and make them say the things they don’t mean. Though there are also times where we just have to make peace with the fact that we can never fully understand what they are going through, because they don’t always know what’s going on with them either.

Dr Melati: We have to realise that we can only help them if they choose to accept the help. Drawing the line and taking care of our own state of mind is also part of helping them. Some people can be so low at that point in life, they don’t realise that they are sucking everyone down with them. Which is really unhealthy and defeats the point of us trying to pull them out, because we could get sucked right in there with them.

Cindia: The one thing that I surprisingly find helpful is when someone asks me how my day went or what I did that day. Those small check-ins every now and then are good, because I have a bad habit of isolating myself from the world. I also love having a conversation where I can be truly listened to and also be a listener to them, because I’m aware that I often overshare, and them sharing about their stuff too helps.

As a final note, I think it’s important for me to point out that, no matter your role as a supporting act in somebody else’s life, you, yourself, are still a hero of your own life, that too, needs support.

So if you ever feel overwhelmed or if there’s anything troubling you, no matter how small, please reach out. If not to your friends or families, you can always reach out to the 24-hour Befrienders KL hotline or book an appointment with Taylor’s Counselling Services through Campus Central.