It's not that she wants more people to experience depression, rather it's likely that more people already have it than report having it, but the stigma associated with depression prevents people from acknowledging it.
The new website, www.Feeling-Blue.com, launched Monday.
The site, created by the Healthy York County Coalition and Healthy Adams County, will offer information and resources for people suffering from mild depression or depressive symptoms, like feeling nervous or restless, guilty or useless, having changes in appetite or problems sleeping, among other things.
Although most people don't want to acknowledge they suffer from depression, doing so could allow them to get help.
"You need to be able to say it to deal with it," said Deborah Gogniat, coordinator of the Healthy York County Coalition.
Gogniat and Voight agreed that people who suffer from severe depression, including people who are suicidal, should contact a doctor or call 911 to receive help. The website is also not designed to diagnose something with depression.
Those living with mild depression can make lifestyle changes, like adjusting their diet, that will allow them to manage the symptoms and feel better.
"The whole point of this (website) is to promote awareness," Voight said. "This (website) is just one step toward bringing awareness."
©2014 York Daily Record (York, Pa.)
