10 Quotes To Feel Less Alone In Your Mental Health Journey

Medically reviewed by Melissa Guarnaccia, LCSW
Updated July 12, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team
If you’ve ever journaled, read an inspirational book, or used a vision board, you may already understand the power of a simple quote. 

Language is powerful. Our words can serve as sources of inspiration, creativity, and clarity, especially during difficult seasons of life. 

Whether you’re living with depression or another mental health condition, the following list of depression quotes can offer guidance and make you feel less alone in your mental health journey.

Looking for words to inspire your mental health journey?

10 quotes for human beings living with depression
These 10 quotes speak to the often-difficult realities of depression—a serious mental illness that’s more than just a “bad mood” or “the blues.” However, they also explain and highlight the ability of people diagnosed with depression to overcome fear, heal, connect meaningfully with others, and go on to live healthy, fulfilling lives.  
1. “Depression is like a heavy blanket. It covers all of me, and it’s hard to get up. But there’s comfort in it too. I know who I am when I’m under it.” –Unknown
While this depression quote comes from an unknown source, the words powerfully express the weight and familiarity of this condition—particularly for people who experience chronic depression. It’s similar to a quote from Elizabeth Wurtzel’s Prozac Nation: “I was so scared to give up depression, fearing that somehow the worst part of me was actually all of me.”

There are several types of depression, and persistent depressive disorder (PDD) is one of these. It’s defined by chronic, low-level depressive symptoms lasting for two or more years. PDD is distinct from major depressive disorder, which is usually characterized by shorter but more intense depressive episodes. Similarly, those living with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) may experience symptoms predictably at the same times of year, each year—typically fall or winter. While there’s no “worst kind” of depression, many people with a chronic type find the recurrent symptoms especially difficult to cope with.

If you’re living with PDD or SAD, your symptoms may feel familiar and perhaps even like a part of your identity. With proactive and ongoing treatment, however, you may be able to enhance your quality of life and your ability to engage in everyday activities. 

2. "I was okay just a moment ago. I will learn how to be okay again." –Nina LaCour, We Are Okay

We Are Okay is a young adult novel about friendship and grief after a bad situation. In it, one of LaCour’s characters reflects on feeling “okay” and their ability to continue healing and growing—even against the deeper and more hurtful backdrop of depression.

Depending on the type of depression and severity of symptoms, “recovery” from depression and engaging in effective symptom management can look different for each person.

Those who feel like there’s no point treating symptoms can take comfort in the fact that depression does have a high treatment-success rate. More specifically, many people are able to effectively manage their symptoms with a combination of psychotherapy, anti-depressant medication, support groups, and/or personalized coping strategies.

3. "Things to do today: 1) Breathe in, 2) Breathe out." –Ned Vizzini, It's Kind of a Funny Story

This is another quote from an author, whose story about a teen’s experience in a psychiatric hospital has moved readers of all ages and backgrounds. The quote implies the power of focusing on the breath and taking things one day at a time. It’s worth noting that several studies suggest that deep breathing exercises may help reduce depressive symptoms by alleviating the physical effects of stress, which can contribute to symptoms. 

4. “The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden. It is easier to say 'My tooth is aching' than to say 'My heart is broken.' Yet if the cause is accepted and faced, the conflict will strengthen and purify the character and in time the pain will usually pass.” –C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

This quote can mean many things depending on a person's individual situation—but in the context of depression, it could imply that seeking a diagnosis and support from a qualified healthcare provider could be helpful. Once you can put a name to your symptoms and experiences, it may help you take the next steps toward learning to cope and beginning to heal. It’s just one reason why it’s recommended that you seek professional support if you’re experiencing signs of depression.

5. “Art is a wound turned into light.” –Georges Braque

If you’re living with symptoms of depression, visual art may be another source of solace. Painter Georges Braque viewed art as a vehicle for expressing and transforming pain into something beautiful. For those living with depression or other mental health challenges, creating art can be a powerfully healing experience.

If you have limited experience with the arts, tapping into your creativity only requires simple materials and a willingness to try something new. Knitting, collaging, scrapbooking, drawing, writing poetry, sculpting with clay, coloring, and painting are just a few of nearly endless examples of ways to express yourself through art. These activities may bring about a cathartic cry or crying, realizations, inspiration, growth, or a sense of hope. If you’re looking for more guidance, you might explore art therapy with a licensed provider.

6. “There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.”  –John Green, Turtles All the Way Down

Award-winning author John Green includes this quote in Turtles All the Way Down, a novel of love, resilience, and lifelong friendship. When you’re experiencing depression, you may feel hopeless or uncertain about your ability to recover. Although these thoughts and feelings are real, it can be helpful to try and remind yourself that they won’t last forever. 

With the support of loved ones and a psychotherapist, it is possible to challenge and overcome unhealthy patterns of thinking in favor of more realistic and positive thoughts. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common therapeutic intervention designed to help individuals understand and change unwanted thought patterns, especially in the context of depression. 

7. "You say you're 'depressed'—all I see is resilience. You are allowed to feel messed up and inside out. It doesn't mean you're defective—it just means you're human." –David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas
In this quote from Cloud Atlas, a science fiction novel, one of David Mitchell’s characters celebrates the humanity and resilience of people living with depression. As this quote implies, depression is a reality of being human for many people. 

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting approximately 280 million people worldwide according to the World Health Organization. You may be able to rest in the fact that not just a million people but 280 million people, at least, have felt the way you feel—and that many have gone on to successfully manage their symptoms. The thought of all these people and their resilience may serve as a source of inspiration and comfort.

Looking for words to inspire your mental health journey?

Wrestler and actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson opened up about his experience with depression in a series of interviews, speaking about how he finally learned coping mechanisms that are helpful for him in order to come out the other side of his illness. In recent years, more celebrities and public figures have candidly discussed their mental health journeys, contributing to efforts to destigmatize mental illness and help people feel less alone. 

Loneliness and depression are often interlinked, as it’s possible for either one to lead to the other. While it can be hard to reach out when you feel lonely, you might try and remind yourself of the potential mood-boosting power of even a 10-minute phone call with a family member or a walk through the park with a friend. You don’t need a huge crowd of friends or acquaintances; just a few healthy interactions or supportive friends could help you remember how nourishing human connection can be.

9. “There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.” –Laurell K. Hamilton, Mistral's Kiss

This quote comes from a fantasy romance book by New York Times bestselling author Laurell K. Hamilton. It reminds us that you can’t always tell from the outside what a person might be experiencing on the inside—and depression can be considered one of these “wounds that never show”. 

Depression can vary in severity and in presentation from person to person, so there’s no one way for it to look and no single, straightforward response to experiencing it. Some may even feel the pressure to lie or conceal symptoms, sometimes referred to as “masking.” Keeping this and the message of the “There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper…” quote in mind can help us all act with more compassion toward one another. It may also encourage those who suspect they may be experiencing depression to seek help, no matter how mild their symptoms may seem.

10. “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger—something better, pushing right back.” –Albert Camus

This quote can be interpreted as a message of hope to everyone who is experiencing trials and challenges in life. It recognizes the wellspring of strength and resilience that each person has and can cultivate in themselves to call on when times are difficult. Even when things look bleak, there can be hope for a more positive future.

Taking the first step toward healing by seeking professional support

Psychotherapy is a common and potentially effective treatment option for people diagnosed with depression. While some prefer to attend therapy in person, others appreciate the convenience of an online therapy platform like BetterHelp. You can use it to get matched with a licensed therapist who suits your needs and preferences. Next, you can schedule meetings with them that can take place via phone or video call from anywhere you have an internet connection. 

A significant body of research highlights the potential effectiveness of online therapy. For example, consider a 2019 randomized controlled trial of an internet-based cognitive behavior therapy (iCBT) program for adults with symptoms of depression. The findings suggest that the severity of depression symptoms in the participants decreased significantly over eight weeks of treatment, and work and social functioning and resilience were reported to improve as well.

Counselor reviews

“Lauren has been extremely helpful to me in dealing with my anxiety and depression and getting me through some tough situations. I am extremely happy I got assigned to her and will continue to be her client. She is wonderful."

“Chris has helped me manage my depression and anxiety in meaningful, productive ways. He helps me gain a clearer perspective and identify negative thought patterns that are at odds with a healthy, positive outlook. I would recommend Chris to anybody else trying to deal with their depression."

Takeaway

Although depression can be an isolating experience, these 10 depression quotes illuminate the power of finding others who can relate to your feelings and offer encouragement as you continue your healing journey. If you’re experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition like depression, it’s typically recommended that you meet with a mental health care provider for evaluation and treatment advice. 
Depression is treatable, and you're not alone
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