What lies beneath a smile. This is what depression looks like, but you wouldn't know it just by looking at me. Why? Because millions of African Americans like myself hide our pain and misery behind our smiles. Hurting each and every day when we don't have to, but we do it anyway because of the judgemental stigma that runs rampant within the African American community. Openly discussing mental illness and depression is largely looked down upon within the African American community. I'm looking to change that by putting myself out there. It's my hope that by sharing this photo, it will help jump start this much needed discussion. Lives are at stake. A picture doesn't always tell the full story.