16 TV Moments That Helped People Through Their Depression

"The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. The good things don't always soften the bad things, but vice versa, the bad things don't necessarily spoil the good things or make them unimportant." – Doctor Who

We asked the BuzzFeed Community to highlight moments in television shows that have helped them when they were experiencing depression.

We've also published a film version, which you can read here.

1. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: When Jacqueline bursts into tears and Kimmy tries to console her.

Netflix / 3 Arts Entertainment

"Kimmy Schmidt has kept me from falling back into that depression hole that I so desperately, barely crawled out off. It has helped me improve. It so greatly portrayed that message of 'shit happens and you can choose to rise above it.'"

_{– lujanelujane}

2. BoJack Horseman: When BoJack receives this piece of wisdom when he is having difficulty running.

The Tornante Company / Netflix

"That quote from BoJack Horseman hit me. Long live BoJack."

_{– leilaa4ffefddeb}

3. Parks and Recreation: When Chris Traeger decides to see a therapist to treat his depression.

Deedle-Dee Productions / NBC

"It felt so real and genuine to me that this bubbly character could feel terrible and needed help, too."

_{– melaniem4a8088074}

4. Grey's Anatomy: When Dr Bailey opens up to Cristina about how she manages her pregnancy.

ShondaLand / ABC / Via youtube.com

"The way she says it is so powerful, and the words float back to me every time I feel guilty about the past and about my flaws. It reminds me that at every turn, I have done the best I could given the situation. I always do what I can, when I can, and there’s no shame in that."

_{– Kitkitsune}

5. Orange is the New Black: When Red reassures Nicky when she is struggling with an addiction.

Lionsgate Television / Netflix

"It felt really powerful to me at the time and it’s stuck with me ever since."

_{– Ellec10}

6. In the Flesh: When Kieren made his parents talk about what happened after he took his own life.

BBC Drama / Via bbc.co.uk

"The show revolves around Kieren, a rehabilitated zombie who killed himself but is alive once more due to a mass apocalypse. His dad gets really emotional and goes into detail about what it was like to find Kieren after he killed himself, trying to run him to the hospital but knowing it was too late. It makes me think of what actually happens when you die like that – how it's not easy for others, how the world isn't better off without you, and how much you mean to your loved ones."

_{– Taniesha, email}

7. The Simpsons: When Homer explains why all the photos of Maggie are at his work and not at home.

Gracie Films / FOX

"Whenever I feel blue, it overwhelms me that no matter how crappy I feel, somebody has worked hard and tried their best to support and love me in ways I never even realised because I was so young."

_{– Michael, Facebook}

8. Doctor Who: When The Doctor transported Van Gogh to the present to see the impact his life made.

BBC Wales

"When the curator describes how Van Gogh took the pain of his depression and turned it into something beautiful, and Vincent finally sees how people love him for it, it makes me want to do the same with my own life."

_{– julial11}

9. But they could not stop him from taking his own life.

BBC Wales

"That part... has always struck a nerve in me. That phrase has helped me understand my own feelings."

_{– Maricarmen, Facebook}

10. Desperate Housewives: When Lynette confronts Mary Alice in a dream, asking to save her.

Cherry Alley Productions / ABC

"That was the part that television played in helping me through my good friend's suicide. Please, everyone, if there's ever a time where you think 'MY GOD why didn't I do something?! Why didn't I see it?! Why didn't I say something?!' just remember, it is true: You cannot prevent what you cannot predict."

_{– brookeo438b23127}

11. My Mad Fat Diary: When Rae tries to imagine what the world would be like if she had taken her own life.

E4 / Tiger Aspect / Via channel4.com

"I felt like she did. I thought everyone would be better without me, but when I saw the state she'd leave behind, it completely changed my perspective. I'll never forget what Tix said: 'What, did you think you could just slip out of the world with nothing happening because of it? Do you think anyone can do that?'"

_{– Darcie, Facebook}

12. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: At the end of the musical episode, when Dawn says this to Buffy.

Mutant Enemy Productions / The WB

"Between the funny song-and-dance numbers, and the overarching story of the characters in the episode, it has gotten me through a lot. One of my favourite quotes spawned from the episode, and I have it written on my wall as a reminder."

_{– Kat, Facebook}

"That quote has helped me so much when I've felt like I've hit rock bottom. And also how she feels numb to everything, despite how everything around you is moving on."

_{– Millie, Facebook}

13. Scrubs: The musical number that deals with a patient who is about to have an operation.

Doozer Touchstone / ABC

"Patti is about to have an operation to fix an aneurysm and sings about being scared of what's going to happen. The rest of the cast tell her she's going to be OK and they will be there. The situation couldn't be further from what's going on with me, but this scene really struck a chord, reminding me of how all my friends, family, and loved ones have been there for me over the years, and how lucky I am to have them."

_{– Sophia, Facebook}

14. The Fresh Prince of Bel Air: When Will opens up to Uncle Phil about his estranged father.

Warner Bros. Television Distribution / NBC

"It really related to me and helped me through quite a bit actually, 'cause the emotions conveyed tied in with my own."

_{– Thomas, email.}

15. The West Wing: Leo speaking to Josh after his first therapist appointment, not long after he was shot.

John Wells Productions / NBC

"I never had witnessed something so beautiful. It reminded me that I wasn't alone and that people want to help and care for me. I mean, jeez, these guys were running a country and were messed up, so surely I would be OK too."

_{– Kate, Facebook}

16. The Office: Pam's advice in the final episode.

Universal Television / NBC

"The Office helps in general, but one of Pam's final quotes helps every time."

_{– Emily, Facebook}

Contributions have been edited for length and clarity.

We received hundreds of comments and emails on this topic. Thank you for every single one.

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If you need information and practical advice on depression, you can call the Rethink advice and information service on 0300 5000 927 (10am–2pm), if you're in the UK.

You can call the Samaritans for confidential support if you're experiencing feelings of distress or despair on 08457 90 90 90 (24-hour helpline).

And you can call the Crisis Call Center at 1-800-273-8255 at any time of the day if you're based in the US.