No Depression Tracking? Why? A serious issue of mental well-being…

[MrNerdery]

I have serious depression. I have had unrelenting depression for many years. I have been suicidal. We (my Doctors and I) have not found a medication or combination of medications that help very much.

It has been medically proven and i believe physical activity has some benefit on my mood and emotional wellbeing. Of all the health parameters Fitbit can track, the complete lack of any attention to tracking depressive health is shocking. The ability to match up my depression scale to my activity could help me identify and FEEL that certain physical activities can improve my mood.

Tracking stress is not helpful because stress and depression really don’t have anything to do with each other. I can be stress free and still feel like ending my life. Given the vast number of people that suffer from depression and the crisis of suicide we are facing how can an app and device with such a focus wellbeing not address the issue of depression. After all it’s hard to be heathy and happy when you’re dead.

Please address this serious oversight in the Fitbit mission of helping people see and understand how their physical activity can help them understand their depression and identify lifestyle changes that may actually help them to see that if they focus on better sleeping habits, etc can provide correlation between my moods and my physical activity. It just might provide the recognition and motivation (which frankly there is generally no motivation to do anything for most depressed people) to do something that can help them feel better.

People who suffer from depression are bombarded with advice on what to do for help them feel better, most of this advice proves how little depression is understood by those who thankfuly don’t suffer from it. Some other advice requires so much motivation a depressed person can never hope to actually do it. It’s one thing for a doctor or friend telling you that exercise can help (which most are hopeless to believe) and actually SEEING and FEELING firsthand that it can and does actually help.

Any little bit helps and that little bit of help can mean the difference between a family growing up with or without a mom or dad, a son or daughter, a brother or sister or a close friend. Please address this serious lack of attention on one of our society’s greatest challenges to health and well-being. Ignoring or failing to act and seriously address this serious health issue calls into question the actual mission and goals of Fitbit.

Sincerely 

Everyone suffering from depression

[JuanFitbit]

@MrNerdery , A warm welcome to the Community! Thank you for your message and feedback. 

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