Reasons to Stay Alive

Haig remembers sitting with Andrea in a city park and falling into a depressive state. He looks at a cherry blossom tree shading flowers and wishes his thoughts could disperse in the same way. He realizes that much of depression as a mental state is still a mystery.

Haig explores the science of the brain, and in particular the misconceptions about the science of depression. A widely publicized theory is that depression is a result of certain chemical imbalances; this theory is slowly being debunked by modern medicine, which is creating more questions than answers. Certain researchers believe scientists have been looking at the wrong parts of the brain. Haig suggests that the answer lies largely in the way society has evolved, and the idea that human beings were not built for the lives they’re currently living. He encourages people with depression to look inward and discover which treatments work best for them as individuals.

Haig briefly explores the interconnectedness of the body and the mind, and the idea that “mental health” is a misnomer because it ignores the physical manifestations of mental illness.