Suicide as a Mental Health Issue – Changing the Narrative with Avenue Hospital

Published: September 10, 2025

“Let me tell you about Mary.

Mary once described her depression as a heavy backpack filled with stones. Every day felt like a struggle, and every thought seemed to add another stone.

In CBT, we often look at the connection between thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and behaviours. Amina’s story is a powerful example of this.

1. Thoughts

Mary’s mind was filled with negative beliefs:

‘I am useless.’
‘No one cares about me.’
‘Nothing will ever change.’

These thoughts didn’t just sit in her head—they shaped everything else.

2. Emotions

When she thought this way, Mary felt waves of hopelessness, sadness, and deep shame. She believed she was unworthy of love or help.

3. Physical Sensations

Her body carried the depression too. She felt constant fatigue, heaviness in her chest, and even aches in her muscles. Some mornings, it felt impossible to even get out of bed.

4. Behaviour

Because of those thoughts and feelings, Amina withdrew. She stopped meeting friends, stopped exercising, and avoided activities she once enjoyed. The more she pulled away, the heavier her backpack grew.

But here’s where change began.

With help, Mary started challenging her thoughts. When the voice said, ‘I am useless,’ she learned to pause and ask:

‘What’s the evidence for this?’
‘What would I say to a friend who felt this way?’
Slowly, she replaced ‘I am useless’ with ‘I am struggling, but I still matter.’

As her thoughts shifted, her emotions began to lighten. She still had sad days, but she also felt hope and relief.

She also worked on her physical sensations. Through deep breathing, short walks, and better sleep routines, her body began to feel stronger. The weight in her chest eased.

And little by little, her behaviour changed. She started journaling. She reconnected with one friend. She joined a support group. Each small step added up.

The cycle that once dragged her down was now lifting her up.

Today, Mary describes depression differently. She says:
‘It is like walking through a tunnel. You can’t always see the light, but if you keep moving—changing your thoughts, caring for your body, choosing new actions—the light will find you.’

🌱 Takeaway for us all:
Change your thoughts → your emotions shift.
Care for your body → your energy returns.
Take small actions → your behaviour breaks the cycle.
And together, these steps weaken the shadows of depression.
So if you’re carrying your own heavy backpack, remember: you don’t have to empty it all at once. One thought, one breath, one step at a time—until the weight lifts.”