I found this difficult to read as it was more like an opinion. The title really grabbed me but the book didn't live up to it for me.

I was given a free copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

This book has a provoking title and will definitely draw readers in. It is a detailed chronicle of depression and mental illness as well as the external and internal elements that affect the development of depression and the impact on the person suffering from it. It is informative, well-researched and relatively easy to read. It is not a self-help book or a medical journal, but rather an opinion-style piece that is informative but also interesting. The writing style is a bit unusual, which I think makes this book unique in some ways, but also is one that I think might cause readers to either like it or not get into it at all. It is also quite short and kind of disorganized. I did appreciate the exploration into childhood depression - as an elementary school teacher, this is a trend I hate to say that I'm seeing more and more. I would have liked a bit more medical backing and citations/ research but for what it was I think it was an alright book. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

An expert’s book on depression and mental illness. I really like how he ties together so many different elements in the world that contribute to depression. From the actual brain chemistry - he explains Serotonin is a really easy-to-understand way - to the life of the modern-day child, political influences, teachers, etc., he hits the nail on the head over and over. Very well researched and reads easily.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
Well, this wasn't really what I expected. The book is quite disorganized and very all over the place. And while I agree with what he has written, this is more like an opinion essay. This wouldn't really be helpful for people with depression to read and I can't recommend it.
His own personal stories of dealing with his experience with depression was slightly interesting.

Major Depression and the Woke Government is a purportedly nonfiction look at mental health as it relates to the current US political climate related by Daryl V. De Marco. Released 19th Jan 2022 by the author, it's 122 pages (print version) and is available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is 122 pages of disorganized, ranting screed on how the media and "the left" is responsible for everything from globalization to (literally) depression. Where only adults used to be depressed, now even kids are suffering from mental illness and it's all a huge insidious plot from the liberals to poison minds and steal everyone blind.

Here's a more or less random paragraph quote:
"Recently, the left has begun pumping out the propaganda to lower the bar so they don’t look like complete fools when they lose the next few elections. Their goal is to lower expectations so the dismal results they produce don’t look so bad. What I am concerned about is how they abuse the power they have now before they officially lose it. They are scurrying to get the damage done like the rats they are."

I'm glad the author has, according to himself, gotten over his mental health issues in his own way. I also applaud his apparently genuine desire to help out his fellow humans. I am alarmed and angered in about equal measure by anyone (anyone) suggesting treatment advice for a potentially life threatening complex illness who has *no* background medical education, provides *NO* real evidence based research, *NO* notes or citations, and in short, takes readers on a 120+ page unhinged rant about the "leftist media".

Beware of *anyone* who says they, and they alone, are the clever ones who will show you the way. Beware of *ANYONE* who says only they know what's really going on and they'll give you the info. Beware of *anyone* who says "do your own research" and then doesn't even bother to try to give concrete practice based information. There's a concept called "confirmation bias" and it applies to every sentence in this book (although he provides no sources).

For anyone who is dealing with major illness (somatic or mental), I encourage and beseech you to get real, professional (potentially lifesaving) help from actual medical professionals. There are local resources throughout the USA to get referrals and often sliding scale financial help. The last two years have been hard on *everyone* and anyone who *isn't* suffering probably hasn't been paying attention. Major depressive disorder is a medical diagnosis, and a serious one, and NOT something that is self-diagnosed or self-treatable in any responsible way.

One star. This is a *dangerously* irresponsibly bad book. I am truly shocked that the self-publishing house ( www.tellwell.ca ) has not insisted on any sort of disclaimer. I foresee a potentially dire legal future.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Daryl V. DeMarco really hit it on the head with this one. As someone who has suffered with depression (due to many of the reasons he lists), it hit home.

I really like how he ties together so many different elements in the world that contribute to depression. From the actual brain chemistry - he explains Serotonin is a really easy-to-understand way - to the life of the modern-day child, political influences, teachers, etc., he hits the nail on the head over and over.

This is a fresh take on depression that you won't find anywhere else. It gives you the info that you won't find on Google. Not only will it connect a lot of dots for you if your depression is due to everyday life (which, let's face it, who isn't?) but it will also give you real, valuable, CONCRETE tips to heal. DeMarco does NOT promise instant healing and I can tell you that he's correct in that. Instead, his steps give you the power to take action and change your life and your thought process. As someone who believes that a lot of depression is due to the way we're taught to think, I'm a fan. I only wish it came out earlier!

Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4555155880

*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*