Why do we become happy, sad, mad or upset? Why are some days good while others are bad? We smile, cry, laugh, frown and it is a continuous cycle throughout life. People describe depression as a state of sadness and confusion that humans face, but in reality, depression has a much bigger impact than a person's mood or behavior. I strongly believe that depression is a mental health disorder that people in society need to take more seriously. I have suffered from depression for several years and witness close family members and friends who also face the daily challenges that depression brings alone. It is difficult to read the newspaper headlines, the traumatic stories of suicide. These people cannot handle the overwhelming problems and stress of life. They often have no one to explain to them how precious life is, how to help them through difficult situations, or, more importantly, to get professional advice. In most cases, it is not that others do not want to help those in need, but that they do not know what steps to take to provide that help. I plan to become a counselor so that I can be informed about the different emotional, physical and social issues that individuals face. The questions I propose are valuable for my research, so that I can inform society about the importance of understanding depression. What are the different types of depression? How can depression affect an individual's appetite, sleep patterns and health? When are therapeutic counseling and medications needed to treat depression? What are the main experiences that individuals face that trigger depression? How are ages affected by depression? What are the coping skills for depression? I believe the information I get from these sources in the middle of a paper can be beneficial to them. Other people in therapy often face the same conflicts and challenges in life. Works Cited Burrows, Betty. “Understanding depression”. How It Works, September 12, 2006. Web. April 1, 2014. “Depression across the lifespan. » Depression Toolkit. University of Michigan Depression Center. UMDC, 2013. The web. April 6, 2014. Doom, Jenalee, R. and Gerald, J. Haeffel. “Unraveling the Health Effects of Cognition, Stress, and Depression.” American Journal Of Health Behavior 37.5 (2013): 610-619.CINAHL Plus with full text. Internet. April 1, 2014.Hardy, Sheila. “Prevention and management of depression in primary care.” Nursing Standard 27.26 (2013): 51-56. CINAHL Plus with full text. Internet. April 1, 2014. Saisan, Joanna, Melinda Smith and Jeanne Segal. “Treatment of depression”. Therapy, Medication, and Lifestyle Changes, February 2014. Web. April 6. 2014.