Ah, vacations—the time we all eagerly await. Whether it’s lounging on a tropical beach, exploring ancient ruins, or simply enjoying time away from the daily grind, vacations provide a much-needed respite. However, the bliss of a holiday can sometimes be followed by an unexpected downer: post-vacation depression, often referred to as "vacation blues."

You may have noticed three terms (sadness, depression, and grief) tend to be used interchangeably. As they have some close similarities, it’s understandable that they would. So how can you tell what the differences are?

Encountering anxiety and depression can feel like navigating a labyrinth without a map. Yet, in the midst of these struggles, there lies a beacon of hope.

Terms such as tiredness, fatigue, burnout, and depression are interchangeably used to describe one’s feeling of mental, physical and emotional exhaustion, and being overwhelmed. However, they are not all the same and can affect mental health in different ways.

October 6 is designated as National Depression awareness day to raise specific awareness of depression and provide availability to screening assessments and other resources.