By d. emerson eddy — Today is colloquially known as Blue Monday, the third Monday of January. It was designated as the most depressing day of the year, calculating in things like seasonal affectation disorder, fallout from the holiday season, having to deal with family or missing one’s family, and the potential debt shock that comes with opening up your first credit card statement of the season.

It's basically bunk “science”, but it is true that the winter months December through March can weigh heavy on a lot of people. This past year has been very hard on so many of us, past the usual reasons. Existential fears couple with the ordinary seasonal confluences can be a noxious cocktail that just seems like too much for many people. I get it. I've had friends and loved ones in this situation myself.

A few years ago, I was pretty much stopped dead in my tracks reading what was a very unlikely book to deal with a potential suicide situation. I know that many people have seen that gorgeous single page from All Star Superman before, but this was an entirely different avenue, starring someone you'd consider entirely wrong to give any advice. It was in Deadpool #20 by Gerry Duggan, Matteo Lolli, Guru-eFX, and Joe Sabino.

I know on the surface that might seem ridiculous, or it might look like I'm making a joke, but this story deals seriously — if somewhat irreverently — with a young woman about ready to jump from the top of the Avengers Unity Team's headquarters, when she's...accosted, more or less, by a worried Deadpool. What follows is a rather humorous and heartfelt scene of Deadpool trying to help her in his own rather odd ways, including theatre and some violence, with a realization that he's exactly the wrong type of person to deal with the problem. But at the same time, he knows where there are people that can give her appropriate help. I think it's good to reveal that it's okay not to know what to do in order to directly help someone, but to know well enough not to meddle and instead help someone get to the right resources that they need. 

Duggan, Lolli, Guru-eFX, and Sabino make clear in the story that it might be easy to give a quick laugh in a sad situation, but that the real work involves taking a hard, brave step in the right direction. As a result, this book serves a very useful purpose as a guiding light in a difficult time.

Depression is an insidious thing. It doesn't discriminate in any way. It can affect anyone across all demographics, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or social status. It can take root in any number of ways, eating away at relationships and self-confidence. It can make it feel like you're the only person in a deep, dark hole that's seemingly impossible to climb out of. It's never as simple as the condescending advice as “well, just don't be sad.”

I do know that I don't have the answers. What I've seen work through therapy and medication for others may have no impact on anyone else reading this. But I do know that you can get help. And that there is absolutely no shame in asking for it when you need it. There are a ton of resources out there online and off, as well as people willing and ready to help. I know it's not easy, but sometimes the first step through to the light is as simple as pushing a few buttons in order to reach someone who will listen. If you're suffering, please don't do so in silence. Reach out to an organization like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1.800.273.855) in the US, the Suicide Prevention Service (1.833.456.4566) in Canada, their online counterparts, or your local mental health and wellness centers. 

CLASSIC COMIC OF THE WEEK - Deadpool #20

Deadpool #20
Writer: Gerry Duggan
Artist: Matteo Lolli
Colorist: Guru-eFX
Letterer: VC's Joe Sabino
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Deadpool has it tough sometimes. It can be hard to keep going. But he does.
Release Date: October 12, 2016
Price: $1.99
Read It Digitally: Deadpool #20

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d. emerson eddy is a student and writer of things. He fell in love with comics during Moore, Bissette, & Totleben's run on Swamp Thing and it has been a torrid affair ever since. His madness typically manifests itself on Twitter @93418.