Please Don’t Hail The Black Dog: Out of the Shadows Stalks Depression, by Davin Michael Stedman

One thing that has changed the way I see the world around me, is witnessing so many people in my little algorithmic universe struggling with depression.

I wonder about those hiding it. Talk therapy is powerful stuff. I can say I am not depressed.

Seeing those struggle I realize that can change. I feel like an ass and an idiot giving anyone any unsolicited advice. Genetics, priviledge, racism, misogyny, violence, guilt, head trauma, bad luck, even genius play into reasons why some people are depressed.

I don’t know shit. But I do wonder aloud if the reason why I write, sing, and express myself so much is to beat back what Churchill, Teddy, and even Robert Plant called The Black Dog.

The fact I can change my mood and that I know where and how to retrieve these endorphins when I feel life dragging, is why I must not be clinically depressed.

I follow certain friends and their battle I never would otherwise witness, and I have empathy and a creeping fear for them, because the curse of not getting joy out of Life when you otherwise should is terrifying.

When I was sad after 9.11, and I was pretty f☆cking sad, I went and saw a counselor in college; because why not?

I admit I cried it out, I talked it out. And my conclusion was that sh☆t f☆cking sucked dude. But I had the opportunity and privilege and the chance to change it.

But trying to tell that to a person suffering from clinical depression, or anyone stuck in some situation they cannot change is like Tom Cruise trying to give unsolicited advice on mental health.

I don’t know sh☆t. But I know I am running from something that still hasn’t caught me, and I am pretty thankful that the blues still feels so good.

…even my rants on here feel good. Really good. Arguing with people not so much. That part saddens me quite a bit, even if I got some good songs out of it.

– Musician and writer Davin Michael Stedman has many ventures, such as the AMAZING blog, 100milesofmusic.com. Davin’s new song has become a global earworm and Caribbean dancehall hit. Listen here on Reggaeville: DAVIN MICHAEL STEDMAN & ANTHONY RED ROSE – FREE YOUR MIND FEAT. SLY & ROBBIE WITH LENKY MARSDEN. The video is now available on Youtube. His single with British band Sherlock Soul is available here.