THE YAADIE DEPRESSION TRANSLATOR
Because sometimes
“Mi good” doesn’t
mean mi good.
Depression doesn’t always introduce itself.
Sometimes it sounds like tired. Sometimes it sounds like vex. Sometimes it sounds like: “Mi can’t bother.”
And sometimes “Mi good” really does mean mi good.
This is not a mind reader and it is not a diagnosis. It is a way to look beneath ordinary words and ask:
What else might this person be trying to say?
CHOOSE YOUR PATH
Start with the words you have. They do not have to be the whole story.CURATED PHRASE LIBRARY
Choose the words
that sound familiar.
Open a phrase to explore possibilities, not conclusions.01Mi jus tired.
What might be underneath
Sometimes: “Everything taking more outta me than people realise.”
If a you say it…
Maybe tired is the only word you have right now. Start there: sleep tired, body tired, people tired, or everything tired?
If somebody say it to you…
Instead of immediately saying “Go get some sleep,” try asking: “Tired how?”
One small next step
Name one kind of tired. That is enough for one honest conversation.
02Mi good.
What might be underneath
Sometimes: “Sometimes: Mi don’t have the energy fi explain what really going on. And sometimes, mi good really does mean mi good.”
If a you say it…
Notice whether “good” feels true, automatic or like the quickest way out of the conversation.
If somebody say it to you…
Believe the answer without forcing disclosure. If you are concerned, a gentle second question can be: “Really and truly?”
One small next step
Leave room for an honest answer. Leave room for no answer yet too.
03Nuh worry bout me.
What might be underneath
Sometimes: “I already feel like enough of a burden. Mi don’t want to add myself to anybody else’s problems.”
If a you say it…
Needing support does not make you one more problem. Consider one person who usually makes room without making you explain everything.
If somebody say it to you…
Try: “You don’t have to protect me from how you feel. Mi here.”
One small next step
Ask for or offer one small kind of help today.
04Mi nuh feel fi go nowhere.
What might be underneath
Sometimes: “Getting dressed, going out and interacting with people feels like more than I can manage today.”
If a you say it…
You may need rest, company without pressure, or a smaller plan. You do not need shame.
If somebody say it to you…
Try: “Want company at home, a short walk, or some space? Any answer is okay.”
One small next step
Make the next step smaller instead of forcing the whole outing.
05Mi soon answer dem.
What might be underneath
Sometimes: “I wasn’t trying to ignore anybody. The longer I took to answer, the harder and more embarrassing answering became.”
If a you say it…
You do not need a perfect explanation. A short “I saw this; I’m low on energy” can reopen the door.
If somebody say it to you…
Send warmth without adding pressure: “No long answer needed. Just checking that you’re safe.”
One small next step
Reply to one person with one honest sentence.
06Mi jus waan sleep.
What might be underneath
Sometimes: “Sometimes sleep is not only about being sleepy. Being awake and having to participate in life may feel exhausting.”
If a you say it…
Notice whether rest is restoring you or whether sleep feels like your only escape from the day.
If somebody say it to you…
Ask gently what being awake has been feeling like, and listen for hopelessness rather than assuming ordinary tiredness.
One small next step
If sleep feels like escape or you feel unsafe, reach for support now.
07Mi can’t bother.
What might be underneath
Sometimes: “The smallest thing feels like it requires energy I don’t have.”
If a you say it…
This may be low capacity, not a character flaw. Choose the smallest version of the task, or leave it for now.
If somebody say it to you…
Try: “What part feels hardest? Want me to help with one piece?”
One small next step
Reduce one task to a five-minute version.
08Mi alright man.
What might be underneath
Sometimes: “Sometimes: Please don’t ask the second question because the real answer might come out.”
If a you say it…
You can be unsure whether you want to talk and still tell somebody, “Mi not ready, but mi not quite alright.”
If somebody say it to you…
Do not interrogate. Try: “Okay. Mi here if ‘alright’ change later.”
One small next step
Keep the door open without demanding an immediate disclosure.
09A just so life stay.
What might be underneath
Sometimes: “I’ve stopped expecting anything to change because hoping has become tiring too.”
If a you say it…
Resignation can feel safer than disappointment. You deserve support before everything is solved.
If somebody say it to you…
Try: “It shouldn’t have to feel this heavy all the time. What has been wearing you down?”
One small next step
Name one thing that has felt unchangeable.
10Mi haffi strong.
What might be underneath
Sometimes: “I don’t feel like I’m allowed to fall apart because too many people depend on me.”
If a you say it…
Strength can include letting one trustworthy person see what carrying everything costs you.
If somebody say it to you…
Try: “You don’t have to perform strength with me. What can I carry with you?”
One small next step
Choose one responsibility that can be shared, delayed or made lighter.
11Mi don’t know weh wrong wid me.
What might be underneath
Sometimes: “I don’t feel like myself, and I don’t have words for what has changed.”
If a you say it…
You do not need a diagnosis before you describe what you notice: sleep, appetite, energy, thoughts or connection.
If somebody say it to you…
Stay curious: “What feels different from usual?” Avoid naming or diagnosing it for them.
One small next step
Write down two changes you have noticed and when they began.
12Everything irritate me.
What might be underneath
Sometimes: “My emotional capacity may be so low that ordinary noise, questions and demands feel overwhelming.”
If a you say it…
Irritability can be information. Notice what happens just before everything starts to feel too much.
If somebody say it to you…
Try not to take every sharp edge personally. Ask whether they need quiet, space or practical help.
One small next step
Lower one source of noise or demand for ten minutes.
13Mi just want everybody lef mi alone.
What might be underneath
Sometimes: “I need relief from having to respond, perform, explain or be available.”
If a you say it…
Space can help. Total isolation can also make a hard day heavier. Decide what kind of contact still feels manageable.
If somebody say it to you…
Respect space while keeping a safe connection: “I’ll give you room and check again later.”
One small next step
Agree on when the next check-in will happen.
14Mi laugh and gwaan.
What might be underneath
Sometimes: “People see me laughing, so they think I’m okay. Sometimes laughing is just the part of me that still knows how to function around people.”
If a you say it…
Your laughter does not cancel your pain. Both can be true in the same day.
If somebody say it to you…
Do not use their humour as proof that nothing is wrong. Thank them for trusting you with the part people do not see.
One small next step
Tell one safe person what happens after the laughter.
15Mi just deal wid it.
What might be underneath
Sometimes: “I learned to carry difficult things quietly. That doesn’t mean carrying them has been easy.”
If a you say it…
Handling something alone is not the only evidence of strength.
If somebody say it to you…
Try: “You’ve been dealing with plenty. You shouldn’t have to deal with all of it by yourself.”
One small next step
Ask what support would feel useful, not what you assume they need.
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CONVERSATION