Think of all your worldly possessions: phone, car, house, books, music, clothing, games, and even food. It’s hard to imagine 2019 without them in a modern society. Now imagine you have none of the above. You and your family are on your last slices of bread, you only have the clothes you are wearing and you’re sleeping in the subway. Jobs are scarce and winter is coming. Crossing a North Korean border is almost certain death, even with bribes. But it’s your only chance at a happy and hunger-free life. Moreover, not everyone can cross. Even with the talks of denuclearization and unified sports teams, North Korea is still the most repressed country on Earth.

Given unfortunate recent events, I feel as though these words must escape and hopefully provide a better understanding, and prevent, the realization that is depression. Granted I am no better than the next suffering soul and I am not famous. What I am, though, is a music appreciator and a survivor of soul-altercating thoughts. All of us, at least a once, have succumbed to some form of depression or another. Some seek professional help, some become addicted, some never crawl out, and some of us overcome. In essence, it is one invisible civil war…