Ask someone about depression and they’ll probably walk about mood. Of course, we all know some kind of connection to the brain exists.

High-functioning depression is not technically a diagnostic term. But it does an excellent job of simply describing what’s going on.

Depression is a tricky concept. In a non-clinical sense, everyone is depressed from time to time. It’s normal, it’s inevitable, and it can be an excellent learning tool.

If you didn’t already know it, the past couple of years has made it clear that tough times happen. No one is immune from loss, sadness, grief, or stress.

Sometimes, we rise to the occasion. Other times, anxiety gets the better of us. Generally speaking, this is normal and inevitable.

Most of us spend a major part of our life “at work.” It could be on-site, work-from-home, or doing off-hours thinking and/or planning related to your job. Now, consider this: Many, if not most people are unhappy and unsatisfied with their job.

Anxiety is the most common mental health issue on the planet. Even so, it manifests in innumerable ways. We all know the signs typically associated with anxiety, e.g. worry, sweaty palms, shaky voice, and so on

Everyone has moments of fear, worry, dread, or panic. For someone with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), these feelings can be persistent and excessive. In healthy scenarios, anxiety can be productive and at times, help us survive.

Far too often, the term “stressed out” is treated as if it means the same as “anxiety.” There’s a huge difference. Generally speaking, when we’re stressed, we know the reason why.

Anxiety is the number one mental health issue on the planet. The divorce rate has hovered around 50 percent for many decades.

Anxiety is a normal, inevitable, and helpful emotion. When it alerts us to danger, it can even be life-saving. Everyone feels anxiety from time to time.

Even the most extroverted people in the world have moments of shyness. It’s normal, it’s inevitable, and it’s nothing to be concerned about.

More than half of adults report experiencing or witnessing at least one traumatic event in their lives. Such an event might involve abuse, a natural disaster, divorce, the death of a loved one, illness, and so on.

You don’t have to explain racial trauma to a person of color (POC). But this doesn’t mean it’s not important to keep the topic fresh and out in the open.

Long before the term “racial profiling” was coined, the concept ran rampant. Despite America’s promise of equality, there is still so much work to do.

Black Americans are 20 percent more likely to struggle with a mental health issue. Meanwhile, anxiety is the most common mental health issue in the United States. What does this mean for people of color (POC)? For starters, it highlights the profound impact of racism and race-related abuse.

More times than we realize, it’s not the specific problem that matters most. You see, every single one of us views the world through certain lenses.

The problem is real and it’s large. Roughly 20 percent of American adults struggle with a mental health condition. That estimate is probably on the low side because of stigmas that still exist.

The existence of buzzwords is nothing new. However, the rise and expansion of social media have certainly increased the likelihood of something going viral.

Forgiveness is part of a healthy life. But that definitely does not mean it’s simple. Far too many people have endured terrible treatment in their lives. It is far easier said than done to find forgiveness in your heart. But, as we touch on below, the benefits far outweigh any other option.