However, the reality is far more complex. Thousands of people go to work every day, volunteer, lead teams, and care for others – while at the same time living with chronic depression. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as “high-functioning depression.”

Although this term is not a clinical diagnosis, it describes a real and widespread experience. It refers to a chronic form of depression in which symptoms may be less visible but remain persistent and debilitating. A person may appear to function effectively on the outside, while internally they struggle with constant sadness, fatigue, emptiness, and a diminished ability to feel joy.

When productivity becomes a mask

People with chronic depression often do not fit the stereotypical image of “someone who is unwell.” They can be responsible, engaged, and active. Moreover, this very activity sometimes becomes a means of survival.

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“People often resort to so-called superfunctionality to distract themselves from emotional pain. This can take the form of helping others, volunteering, or excessive busyness. To those around them, it may look as though the person is coping well, while inside they feel devastated, exhausted, hurt, and sad,” notes Valeriia Paliy.

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In a society that values efficiency, productivity, and endurance, mental health issues are often perceived as a weakness or an undesirable vulnerability. This creates an environment in which depression becomes “invisible”: it goes unnoticed by employers, loved ones, and often even by the person experiencing it.

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Language that forbids suffering

A separate issue is how society talks about mental pain. Phrases such as “hang in there,” “it could be worse,” and “pull yourself together” may sound supportive, but in reality, they serve a different purpose: they devalue a person’s experience.

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“Phrases like ‘it doesn’t matter’ or ‘everyone feels that way’ act as linguistic markers that normalize suffering. They reduce a complex mental state to a supposed weakness of character. As a result, the person is effectively told that nothing serious is happening to him or her,” explains Valeriia Paliy.

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In clinical psychology, this phenomenon is called minimization. It deprives a person of the right to their own experiences and significantly reduces their willingness to seek help. Instead of support, shame emerges: if “it’s not serious,” why do I feel so bad?

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Depression is not just about emotions

Chronic depression is not only about mood. Prolonged psycho-emotional stress has very real biological consequences: it affects hormonal balance, the immune system, brain function, and the cardiovascular and nervous systems. It can exacerbate existing health conditions and contribute to the development of new ones.

When this condition persists for years without treatment, it often worsens, increasing the risk of severe depressive episodes and suicidal thoughts. That is why masked depression is no less dangerous than depression with more obvious symptoms.

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Ukrainian context

This topic is particularly painful for Ukraine. A historical experience shaped by scarcity, war, and the Soviet culture of silence has fostered the belief that pain must be endured and that asking for help is unnecessary.

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“The Soviet legacy has largely shaped a culture of silence around personal difficulties and the devaluation of individual needs. This is directly reflected in attitudes toward mental health,” emphasizes Valeriia Paliy.

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In a society living under constant pressure from war, loss, and anxiety, the risk of chronic depression increases. Yet it is precisely in this context that seeking help is not a weakness, but a condition for survival.

The ZDOROVI advocacy campaign “Conscious Choice” is aimed at overcoming this culture of silence. It is a project that works with language, stigma, and access to psychiatric and psychological care, helping to shape the understanding that mental health is an integral part of healthcare, equal to physical health.

“Conscious Choice” emphasizes a person’s right to name their condition, receive accurate information, seek help, and not be judged for doing so. Through campaigns like this, social norms are gradually shifting – from “put up with it” to “you have the right to support.”

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Right to get help

Depression does not always look like a breakdown. Often, it looks like living “on autopilot.” A person may work, care for others, and stay productive – while at the same time losing their sense of meaning, joy, and inner presence.

World Depression Day is not just about statistics. It is about a person’s right to recognize their condition and seek help. Psychotherapy, psychiatric counseling, and medication are tools for recovery – not signs of weakness.

Building a culture of mental health is a key condition for the stability of Ukrainian society. Every honest word about depression helps make this culture stronger.