According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), nearly 20 million Americans each year have a mental illness. These include major depressive disorder (MDD) and dysthymia, both considered forms of clinical depression.

While some people experience depression throughout their lives, others develop symptoms later in life, and this is especially true for women who tend to experience depression earlier than men.

Because women are nearly twice as likely as men to suffer from depression, they often don't seek treatment due to the belief their symptoms are typical, or they should get over it.

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) says "social isolation and loneliness have a detrimental effect on health and well-being". 

Some consider loneliness a primary emotion, on a par with fear and anger. For millions of years, survival relied on being part of a gathering; being isolated from your community was dangerous. 

But now, a fear of loneliness can keep us in a toxic relationships, unfulfilling jobs, or destructive marriages.