Robert Enke stepped in front of a train in Hanover last year, after practicing with the Hanover 96 club that morning. The entire German soccer community was devastated, as were his friends and family, by this tragic turn of events. And what’s more, folks knew that Robert had suffered from serious bouts of depression in the past. Robert lost the fight to depression, a sobering reminder that depression is not something we can overcome by ourselves.
Soccer is a team sport that relies on the combined efforts of talented individuals to execute plays and win games. In many ways a person’s struggle with depression is much like soccer. It takes a talented team of individuals working together with great communication to win out against a lone person’s struggle with it. Enke was a brilliant soccer player who had both fame and fortune, but that didn’t stop him from ending his own life due to depression. If you or a loved one suffers from depression, please visit the Samaritan Center of Austin’s website.
Back in 2006 it was determined that nearly 33,300 people here in the US were officially reported to have committed suicide according to the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2006 Emergency Department Summary, table 13. This was before the economy plummeted, so please be aware of those around you. If someone appears to be suffering from depression, consult help from those trained with handling it.
On the RecognizeGood blog our mission is to recognize those who have helped others. In this particular case, if you know anyone who has been instrumental in helping someone with their fight against depression, we ask that you please recognize them!
Go forth friends and Recognize the Good others do, especially when they are fighting for other people’s happiness and mental wellbeing
