Depression is a complex and challenging mental health condition that affects millions of people around the world. Although there is no one-size-fits-all solution to overcoming depression, many modern treatment approaches focus on “fixing” individuals through a combination of drugs and therapy. While these approaches may be an important part of the puzzle, they don't capture the full complexity of depression and how to lead people out of it. One often-overlooked component in the fight against depression is the role of relationships. In this blog post, we’ll explore the impact of relationships on depression and how they can be leveraged as a powerful tool for healing.

We humans are ultra-social creatures, and a strong community and meaningful relationships are integral to our well-being. However, in recent years, the state of our relationships has been poor, with many people feeling isolated, disconnected, and lonely. In fact, America repeatedly ranks as one of the most individualistic cultures in the world, and the US loneliness epidemic has reached all-time highs. More than 60% of adults report feeling left out or alone, and the pandemic has only made things worse. We're now spending less time with friends and more time by ourselves than before the pandemic, and marriage rates are declining as the share of adults living without a partner rises steadily.

Research shows that securely attached people, who tend to have longer and more satisfying relationships, are more likely to be mentally healthy. In a decades-long study from Harvard, deep relationships were found to hold, by far, the strongest correlation with general well-being. However, depression is often seen as an individual problem, with its roots in neurochemical imbalances or distorted mental models. This can make it easy to overlook the crucial role that relationships play in mental health and recovery.

The paradox of the modern approach to depression is that, while psychiatric medications have become the most common remedy for depression, and antidepressant usage has soared in recent years, the mental health market has also seen a proliferation of teletherapy startups, clinics, and apps. All told, the US spends a staggering $210B on the direct and indirect costs of depression, yet we have one of the highest mental health disease burdens among high-income countries. Major depression is now the most common mental disorder in the US, and more and more people, particularly teens and young adults, are suffering from the ailment.

So, what’s going on? Why are traditional approaches to depression not working? One possibility is that these approaches are focused too much on individuals and not enough on relationships. Depression often arises from the interplay between individual biology, psychology, and the social environment. By ignoring the social and relational dimensions of depression, we're missing an important part of the puzzle.

The good news is that relationships can be leveraged as a powerful tool in the fight against depression. There are a variety of ways in which relationships can contribute to mental health and recovery. For example, having a strong support system can provide a sense of security and stability that can help buffer against the negative effects of stress and adversity. Feeling connected to others can also boost self-esteem and provide a sense of purpose and belonging. Moreover, social support can provide a source of practical help and advice, and can serve as a buffer against social isolation and loneliness.

Another way in which relationships can contribute to mental health is through the practice of relational psychotherapy. This approach to therapy seeks to cultivate deep, meaningful relationships as a way of healing. Rather than locating the problem “in” the person, relational therapists see distress as arising in the relationship between the individual and the rest of the world. Under this paradigm, the therapeutic relationship itself is the core component of healing. Multiple studies have found that apart from these challenges, there are some practical solutions that can help. Peer-to-peer support models, such as ShareWell and TimelyCare, are emerging as complementary to clinical care. Such models connect individuals who have shared experiences and can offer empathetic support to each other. In addition, wellness startups like Peoplehood look to help people strengthen their relationships by providing tools and resources for building strong social connections.

Innovative solutions are being developed globally as well. Countries like Zimbabwe and Uganda are turning to relational-first models that train and recruit lay workers to connect with those in need. These community-based care models have shown powerful results, with local grandmothers and other laypeople providing support to individuals struggling with mental health challenges. Italy’s community psychiatry system, recognized by the World Health Organization, focuses on bringing people out of asylums and into the community, where they can receive support and care from those around them.

It is important to note that mental health operators must prioritize meaningful relationships when crafting solutions. Indeed, it is our very ability to connect deeply with our friends, community, and loved ones that leads to lasting, wholesale healing. We must avoid turning too far inward or alienating ourselves from our community, and instead, seek to build and maintain strong, supportive relationships.

In conclusion, while traditional approaches to depression treatment tend to focus on “fixing” individuals, a more unorthodox approach to depression suggests that the state of our relationships is crucial to our mental and emotional well-being. The American ethos of individualism makes it a challenge to build strong social connections, and other factors such as the rise of antidepressant usage and teletherapy may not be sufficient to address the issue of depression. Innovative solutions such as community-based care models and peer-to-peer support models are emerging and are showing promising results. It is important for mental health operators to prioritize meaningful relationships in their approach to treating depression and other mental health issues. By doing so, we can help combat the mental health crisis and work towards a healthier, more connected society.

Chipperfield Physiotherapy provides In-Home and Online Clinical Counselling for people experience depression and anxiety. Visit the link below to contact us & learn more, or call our office at 604-828-2610 to talk to our team!