Depression is one of the most dangerous health problems in the world. Many health experts believe that depression is a silent killer because the patients gets separated from the others and can think of attempting suicide. Hence, depression cases are never really known in the first place. Hence, depression patients need to be tackled in a different way because not all medicines can work for them. AstraZeneca and Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance came together last year to come up with their new bipolar depression campaign known as Speak and Be Heard Living with Depression.

The campaign is simple and effective because it allows good interaction between different bipolar depression patients that can talk and communicate to each other and help each other to overcome their depression issues. Every year a bench of judges select finalist that share their positive mindset through various art forms like poetry, essay, song and even art. The top finalists soon become role models for those who are not able to cope with their depression problems and these finalists can share how they have succeeded in overcoming depression issues through different art forms and poetries that inspire hundreds of different patients. This year Dr. Janet Taylor, Allen Doederlein, Executive Director of External Affairs at DBSA and Amanda Smith one of the finalist last year participated as judges and selected few finalists in each category.

This year’s finalists were selected in the following categories:

Essay
  • Linea J. Seattle, WA, “Finding Dry Land”
  • Lisa W., Bradenton, FL, “Teacher Talk”
  • April T., Albany, GA, “Salvaged”
Poetry
  • Vicki M. Lawrenceville, GA, “Recovery from the Pit”
  • Kim C. Steubenville, OH, “Hope”
  • Sara T. Marinette, WI, “The Walking Wounded”
Art
  • Julie J. Orange, CA, “The Flip Side”
  • Jennifer G. Federal Way, WA, “Stitches”
  • Michael K. Palm Desert, CA, “Artshines”
Video
  • Jennifer S. Mahopac, NY, “A Bipolar Memoir”
  • Marci M. Asheville, NC, “On The Road to Wellness”
The names of all the finalists will be posted on Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Wellness Community site and also on AstraZeneca’s Facebook page for promoting this campaign in the future.

The author writes articles on diseases and conditions related living with depression and bipolar depression.