Slovak businessman breaks mental health stigma with annual depression story

Viktor Kostický, a successful businessman, husband and father of two, publicly shares his personal struggle with severe depression once a year as part of his commitment to break the stigma around mental health issues. Kostický, who experienced a debilitating period where he spent a year bedridden staring at the ceiling, began speaking openly about his mental health journey several years ago. He notes that eight years ago when he was receiving treatment, discussions about mental health were primarily dominated by psychiatrists, therapists and psychologists, with few personal accounts from those who had experienced depression firsthand. His annual public testimony represents an effort to provide a personal perspective on mental illness and encourage others facing similar challenges.