"if you're depressed, if you're anxious, you're not weak, you're not crazy, you're not a machine with broken parts... you're a human being with unmet needs."

We are lonely because our purpose in life has been reduced to making money. All other human needs have been sidelined.

I have been depressed for a long time, but after taking shrooms few months ago, l feel much happier and highly motivated and my ADHD gone , lost a ton of anxiousness and had a few epiphanies about how I should live my life. I decided to buy an ounce for backup, but haven’t yet felt the need to take any more since then.

There’s a saying: ‘before you diagnose yourself with anxiety and/or depression, make sure you’re not surrounded by a$$holes’

i used to say 'i cant wait to be an adult'. never have i been so wrong. life as a child was bliss.

Congrats to anyone trying to improve their life. Never stop trying.

Amazing. "Your depression is not a malfunction. It's a signal". That brought tears to my eyes. I've been thinking "something is wrong with me. Why do I have to be messed up?" When in reality I'm not messed up. There's something wrong about my situation or circumstances that's bothering me. Thank you for this.

The main reason why I believe I cannot break out from my depression/anxiety is because everytime and I mean absolutely everytime I do open up to someone they always compare my suffering to someone else's. By giving the good old and here's some examples " imagine some people can't walk" or " you could have no job" I don't want comparison to someone else's mindset/life I want you to hear ME out.

"You're not a machine with broken parts. You are a human being with unmet needs." That hit me in the feels and made me start to cry.

"If you are depressed, if you are anxious, you're not weak, you're not crazy... you're a human being with unmet needs." 100%

"I feel like pain is leaking out of me" that is deep

1. The most cause to be depressed or anxious is the way we live, lifestyle 2. Be us, be we, be part of a group 3. "We live in a machine that is designed to get us to neglect what is important about life"... your depression is a signal to tell you something ! Thanks Mr. Johann Hari !

"you don't want to die, you want your way of life to die"

"Your depression is not a malfunction, it's a signal." Excellent TED Talk.

Changing your environment can do wonders. God bless anyone going through this.

Oh my. “You’re a human being with unmet needs.” Beautiful. Thank you for this talk!!

I was a strung out IV drug user who was anxious and depressed, couldn’t get clean, then I got a puppy, I’ve been clean ever since. I am as many years sober as she is old...10!

“On your deathbed, you are not going to think about all the shoes and retweets you got, you will think about these moments of love.” Love it

They did NOT say “Hey, buddy, you need to pull yourself together. It’s your job to figure out and fix this problem on your own”. They said “We’re here to pull TOGETHER with you, so together, we can figure out and fix this problem”. Thank you so much for your speech, it was highly needed, thanks a lot

"Junk values don't meet your psychological needs." Thank you for this talk!

"you're not weak, you're not crazy, you're not, in the main, a machine with broken parts. You're a human being with unmet needs." That hit me, I needed to hear it.

"We need to talk less about chemical imbalances and more about the imbalance in the way we live."

I think we should go back to the days where we lived with family instead of alone. Everyone contributes to the running of the household in a meaningful way that works for everyone. Elderly would never get left out and have purpose and be cared for and moms and dads wouldn't feel the burden of taking care of children by themselves and providing for the household by themselves. If I was a millionaire I would build a large house for my family with a large living room where everyone could gather but also have separate quarters where everyone could go if they needed peace. Everyone would have their own bathrooms.

His watery eyes are much enough to understand how much pain he went through and how much he feels for the depressed people.

Great talk. When my dad got depressed, in addition to talking therapy and drugs, my mum bought him a black lab puppy. It got him outdoors, talking to other dog walkers and built a bond of unconditional love. For this reason he really dislikes the "big black dog" campaign as a symbol of depression because, for him, the black dog represented his healing.

"We were trained to look for happiness in all the wrong places."

As someone who has become deeply depressed in the last year, this man still holds so much sadness inside of him. Given it’s an amazing talk, you can see how emotional he is talking about this subject. This brought tears to my eyes

I don't care for money, success for myself....But my parents are in their 60s with no retirement, no house, no plans. I feel sad making decision that would provide financial stability for my family over my passion.

Finaly i hear these words out loud. My friend wanted to kill him self and i invited him to live with me just to feel a part of the tribe . It was the best thing i could do for him. Now he is living his life almost have a wife and is absolutely happy. a little kindnes goes a long way. Be good to each other please people. Love you all.

UKposts really knows I’m having a mental breakdown rn huh (edit: you guys are so kind, thank you, really.)

The depression is even worse when you never really feel like you "fit in" anywhere and always feel out of place. If one our main reasons for being is to be connected to others and you constantly struggle to do so it can be pretty soul crushing, making you feel like you dont belong here at all

If you're watching this video and feeling like you're at the end of your rope, please know that you're not alone. It's okay to reach out for help, whether that's through therapy, medication, or just talking to a friend. It can be a long and difficult journey, but there is hope and healing on the other side. Thank you to the creator for sharing their story and shedding light on this important topic.

"you need to feel you belong, to feel your life has meaning and purpose, to feel that people see you and value you, that you have a future that makes sense"

This was like a warm blanket

I know I am not alone when I say this but I feel like I am having a heart attack every time I step out of the door or in social situations. We will all get through this. We can all do it! Anybody wants a chat I am here, and, I hope you're their for me to! Much love to everyone going through mental health

"we live in a machine that is designed to make us neglect what is important about life " this is sadly one of the most truthful statements to describe modern life

“We need to talk less about chemical imbalances and more about the imbalances in the way we live.”

Taking drugs to treat depression is like putting on a coat when it rains, it doesn't mean you stopped the rain it just means that you temporarily don't get soaked.

Being a part of a community/group and forming valuable connections with everyone in that 'tribe' is the best antidote to depression and anxiety. I learnt a lot from this video. I see this comment section as a community as well. So I love each and every one of you. Having communities in person is what we all need.

From my perspective there is another important component to depression that is never talked about. This component is buried under a blanket of depression that hides the real cause of the problem. It is Repressed Anger. It comes from feeling powerless and unable to compete successfully in this world. Revealing this anger to yourself is the only way to lessen and release it to the universe. That is your responsibility to take action and control over the blanket.

I've been trying to explain this for years. Depression & anxiety is a normal part of living in a society that no longer has close communities, we work long hours in jobs that often don't feel meaningful, we are not close to nature all day because our jobs are generally indoors, jobs these days are also not stable which contributes to anxiety, most people have very few close friends, people seem to value being "busy" over spending time with friends, and then there's this whole materialistic culture, that makes people feel like losers if they don't have a fancy car/job/house etc. Yet every doctor has just always tried to give me pills, which have bad side effects and actually made me feel worse.

I just told my dad this morning that travelling helps me with my depression. He said it’s was BS, that I should keep on taking my pills and that everybody’s a little happier when going on vacations. I feel like the worst thing about having depression is being surrounded by people who don’t WANT to understand thinking everything you say is just your depression talking.

This is the talk that helped me get out of depression. After a few months I got my autism and ADHD diagnosis and it changed my life. It was like having a second chance to life my life.

"You are not alone" is my favorite response to someone telling me that they're struggling.

I'm in tears. I'm so lonely. It permeates my existence. I try finding friends and the flakey, ghosting, competative backstabbing bla bla.. and back to loneliness. I just want people to genuinely care about me and find my tribe.

I once told a trusted friend I was depressed. His response was, "What do you have to be depressed about?" in a very dismissive tone. He may as well just have smashed me in the face.

I’m 25 years old watching this and will cherish these values you’ve taught me today and keep them close to me when I find myself feeling depressed or struggling with anxiety. Thank you.

That was excellent! I’m in tears and finally feel validated. I don’t need a bunch of antidepressants I need what I have been asking for all my life and that’s to BELONG TO SOMEONE! Belong somewhere, be a part of something. And to be LOVED UNCONDITIONALLY. And not be abused. The first time I was involved in something I created with a group of people is the ONLY time in my life I felt I belonged somewhere and a part of someone. This was so good and validating I am going to share with my therapist and ask if we can watch it in group. I’d love to hear the feed back from everyone. I’m that group I’m just opening up and wonder if others are feeling what he just talked about. My daughter who has a BA I’m psychology and an MA in Social work just sent me a long list of why and how I need to change my thinking bc I’m acting like a victim. When all I did was express my feelings about things that happened to me and my other children in the past. Then I got scripture thrown at me which was taken out of context. I am a Christian so I know scripture well and I’ll go read and study whatever someone gives me. What she sent me doesn’t pertain to depression and anxiety. But she’s still young and will figure it out. This was really my life saver tonight bc I felt so defective and now I’m leaving here with a direction to go. I have social anxiety and panic attacks that’s what keeps me isolated. It’s so hard for me to initiate a conversation or friendship but I can give my time to someone in service like I did last time and I come back out of my shell. Thank you for the talk.

3:45 “every human being has natural psychological needs. You need to feel you belong. You need to feel your life has meaning and purpose. You need to feel that people see you and value you.”

"Pride is not the opposite of shame, but its source. True humility is the only antidote to shame." -Uncle Iroh

Anyone who need someone to talk without knowing each other ..i am here for you...I swear i am here for you. 💜

I don't know what happened but when he said that your depression is not just a malfunction it's a signal Something triggered in me and I feel okay now,somehow I think I needed to hear that and that sentence gave me hope to actually get out of my bed in the morning and find what my body has been searching for all this time. And I'll always be grateful for this video.

when he said 'we need to talk less about chemical imbalances and more about the imbalances in the way we live' i felt that

Hello beautiful person scrolling through the comments Sending you positive and healing vibes and a huge virtual hug ❤

i'm in tears watching this. i always have this voice in my head saying that other people are stronger than me. more able to understand how they can ease their depression or anxiety. its a really lonely feeling. it helps when you can relate to the person talking about this. and that we are together in this world, even in this wierd individualized society

I can’t imagine how Covid19 lockdown has affected people, in terms of anxiety and loneliness.

We're human beings with unmet needs - I need a moment with that.

Excellent talk. In addition to all the things he said, when we are depressed, we have to work through it as well and that takes time. For the past couple of years, I was depressed from a devastating heartbreak. I had to work through it, meaning doing the crying, thinking, pondering, resting, praying, and finding the value in my own life. I tried to get involved in volunteer work. I've done some sewing, reading, writing, and crocheting. I've talked to close friends and spent time with family. And, now, finally, after working through it all, I've emerged on the other side. I feel happy and purposeful again. And that feels wonderful!

If you grew up in the country and moved to the city, and you're finding it feels like a cold, dead, sad place, no matter how long you've lived there, it's ok to go back to the country. Country folk are a different breed, 🌹♥️

It's better to be alone than be surrounded by those that make you feel alone Robin Williams

I started having extreme anxiety this year. And I can’t shake it. It’s so scary. I been through a lot this year My ex girlfriend passed. My dog of 16 years passed. Then covid 19. All in one year. Then my Gma got covid. I got covid. My whole family. Things have been shifting so fast. I used to be the Person people can come to. Now I’m in this mind state where everything gets me so petrified. & My heart palpitates like crazy. I hate it. But hopefully I can get through this man. It’s a horrible feeling. Anyone going through this I wish you the best.

The reason I'm depressed and anxious is the state the world is in....and there's no hope in sight and there's nothing I can do about it. If you're happy and carefree you just don't know what's going on in the world. Take comfort: most people are just like you.

It’s so difficult to describe depression to someone who’s never been there because it’s not sadness. Psychedelic are the reason why I didn't take my life when I was at my end.i was stripped of my ego and saw the beauty of life and interconnectivity

I earnestly wish I wasn’t so deeply depressed so that this ted talk could have made a difference for me. I’m at least happy I decided to watch. Maybe that means I’m trying to survive.

"If you're depressed or anxious, you're not weak and you're not crazy -- you're a human being with unmet needs," Hari says.

A standing ovation, very much deserved! What a brilliant man!

1/22/24 - I turn 18 in three days, and I needed to watch this before becoming an adult!

What I heard from this talk is that the most important thing anyone can give to another person is their time. Quality time with other people heals us. I feel most anxious and depressed when I feel I am not interesting enough to be worth someone else’s time.

I lost my six week old daughter to SIDS. Every day after getting my four children out the door I would fall to my knees and cry where I would stay all day long. Four months later I ordered myself 100 baby chickens which I knew would make me get off of my knees because I would have to take care of them. I still grieved my daughter but I was able to get my life back

I was part of a group counselling session today where one of the participants shared this TED Talk after what I had to share. I have to say that this is the best TED Talk I've ever watched. Thank you for your research, voice and sharing. This hit me right in the mind and heart tonight. Thank you.

I've always said social media was one of the worst things that came from the internet.

"We live in a machine that is designed to get us to neglect what is important about life." Holy crap. That's it. That's what it is...

“You're Not a machine with broken parts You're a human being with unmet needs” 🤯🤯🤯

Helping others is a great way to not only feel better about yourself, but also gives you a break from yourself, and that's another lesson. Criticizing yourself on whatever so you will do it better next time is one thing, but too many of us ride ourselves in a way that hinders us more than it helps. I stopped constantly critiquing myself about a year ago, and doing that lifted a weight and now I have a mind that's more clear to handle everyday tasks much better.

I am crying my eyes out watching this. I needed to hear every word of this talk

"You are not crazy if you are depressed... you are just a human with unmet needs."

this made me cry. it's no wonder i feel so depressed, i feel so alone. i need a tribe EDIT: thank you all so much for the positive comments

Thank you, Johann! I used to be naïve, deceived, threatened, and experienced crimes by acquaintances. I finally realized that the cause of my depression was that the need for security, trust, meaningful work, and intimacy was not being met. Perhaps, by learning the FBI's techniques of identifying people and re-establishing these lost things, I will be fine again.

In South African the cow story, the group that Lisa attended, we call it ubuntu. "Umntu ngumntu ngabantu", is our prided generational saying translation: a person is a person because of others.

"your depression is not a malfunction, it's a signal" perfectly worded. Thank you sir

I think social media and some effects of technology are the biggest contribution to my depression. When I scroll through social media platforms, I usually end up getting jealous with people who have better lives than me and I feel hurt. And in the past, I could make friends with people in the neighbourhood or even on a train, a bus, etc but nowadays it's so hard since everyone are just glued to their phone.

"It doesn't have to be this way" That line gives hope...

"Why would we know something so profound, but not live by it" - "Because we live in a machine that is designed to get us to neglect what is important about life" - Amen to that.

When people have suffered depression long enough, they just don't care anymore. That's the cruel reality we face in. People not caring anymore.

That is one of the most profound talks I have ever heard and it makes so much sense...

I spent the bulk of my life in darkness however when I turned 40, I decided to make a change in my life and the darkness turned into light. This TED talk is AMAZING.

This is the first “self improvement” talk that I’ve ever heard that makes good sense and doesn’t blame the victim. It was powerful and compassionate and very encouraging.

My mom made a list of things for me to do Everyday to feel better. I have always had anxiety and depression. They are: Do something nice for yourself. Do something nice for someone else. Smile. Do something you love doing. Get some kind of exercise that you enjoy doing. Eat healthy foods. Be kind to yourself and others. And... Think happy thoughts. My mom was very loving and very wise.

I live a life of true happiness, fulfilment meaning and purpose. I have no worry, anxiety, depression or fear and I enjoy all the best things in life. I am greatly blessed. I'm a Problacist and I follow the Guidelines of Problacism.

Very well said.. coming from a depression/anxiety/PTSD survivor.. thank you! 🙏🏼☺️

going to college can be so isolating and I feel like generates huge amounts of depression in a lot of students. Depression is so common in college!

I really appreciate when he said "you're not a machine with broken parts" because that's how everyone reacts if I ever tell them I have depression & anxiety, as if I'm just broken and it's my fault.

Pain is a communication from the body to the conscious mind that we are on the brink of injury, dis-ease, dysfunction etc… learning to listen to our bodies is the first step. Excellent talk!

I try everyday to remind myself that there are people who are going through much worse than I am. We are all just human and like to dwell in our misfortune...but I am grateful I have a roof over my head, a job (even if it doesn't pay well), food, clothing and my excellent health...and some other things, but these are the basics. Lots of people wish they can have these "basics" that most of us take for granted.

Depression is a normal emotional reaction to our broken valueless disconnected society.

Some people avoid human contact because they're reminded of other's negativity, & *that* makes them feel depressed!

My brother is looking for a little dog right now. He and I both spend a LOT of our off time alone. I know this dog will change his life for the better.

I have been battling depression and anxiety which has only been getting worse by days. Listening to this was refreshing. Best of all the lines were like junk food has taken over our physical health junk values have taken over life.

As someone who is severely depressed, I wish I had someone who did not give up on me

My girlfriend got out of her depression and anxiety disorder by stopping antidepressants and making life changes so her life would align morewith her desires than her fears :)