“I’m dying, Doc. Why *wouldn’t* I be depressed?”

On the heels of World Mental Health Day and World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, let’s talk about depression when you’re near the end of your life.

Many people I’ve worked with feel like dying people he SHOULD be depressed. Some folks feel like once their time is short, they have nothing left to offer the world. They feel like there’s nothing left worth hoping for.

To be clear, it’s normal to feel depressed as you grieve the end of your life. It is after all one of the stages of grief famously outlined by Dr. Kubler-Ross: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.

At the same time, your value as a human being has nothing to do with your life expectancy.

If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness alongside a serious illness like cancer, dementia or heart disease – please- don’t write this off as “normal.”

Say something. Get the support you deserve.

Whether you have years, minutes, weeks, or days ahead… your mental health matters!