★ “The Hushed Dangers of Startup Depression”

BetaBeat.com:

As we find a place to sit, a few people regard him with quick back-slaps and Happy Birthdays. Another colleague working nearby is surprised to hear of the occasion, quickly offering the same. Along the way, he nods to a nearby colleague, “Chris,” to accompany us as we search out a quiet place to speak; the unannounced third party is joining, Mr. Weinstein explains, because he—another 25 year-old startup founder—has much to say on the topic, the both of them having experienced some stripe of professional failure and the depression that comes with it.

This was an excellent reveal of an unspoken issue facing millions of people but with a focus we can all relate to which is that of a startup founder. I can’t say how much this would have helped me in 2009 when OurBlock was failing, I was working 2 side jobs and trying to get a book sold. The travel, sleepless nights, lack of money or inspiration and the fear that you were the only one that felt so depressed. It was hell and this article shares a lot of these realities.

However, I can’t get over this line:

[“Chris” agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity not because he doesn’t want to publicly speak about depression, but because his startup is trying to avoid press in its early stages.]

That line tells me that we’ll never reach the point when Depression and other issues that affect so many are finally accepted as something that happens and is okay to share with people. Basically, “Chris” won’t speak publicly because he’s afraid his depression will affect the success of his company given the early stages. Not enough social networking sites in the world can take away the stigma of depression in our society.