Depression Awareness | Video

Sarahbeth Ackerman | 9/10/2012

Depression is one of the key components that could lead a person to unstable thoughts and even thoughts of suicide. But the root of the problem could often start with depression.

It has been 9 years since the court sentenced Zachary Schmidkunz to 40 years in prison for finding him guilty of murdering Alexis Walter in November 2003.

Now years later, Zachary`s father is speaking out about the seriousness of depression through his writing.

"I really did my best to write the book in such a way tor each out to people so they could understand that and also perhaps put themselves in our place thinking that maybe this could have happened to us because we`re an ordinary family just like everybody else," says Gail Schmidkunz.

Zachary became depressed in high school and was put on Zoloft which is an anti-depressant. His family believes that the pills could have played a role in his actions.

"Unknown to us he stopped taking the anti depressants because he wasn`t feeling right- he was feeling right-he was feeling very strange because of it and he experienced something called- he had a withdrawal from the drug and as a result of that he went into a rage and he murdered his friend,"says Gail Schmidkunz.

"Could it promote to someone to kill-that`s boy, that`s a really hard-they used that in those defenses, but usually we roll our eyes about that, says" Dr. Mark Bell.

Depression is a very serious condition. And after talking with Dr. Bell, he has explained some signs you should look out for.

"We have an acroymn called SIGE CAPSS." Dr. Mark Bell

Each letter represents signs to look for, some signs include, Lack of sleep, Loss of interest, pronounced guilt, and suicide thoughts.

"We miss our son greatly but this book is not an attempt to diminish or take away from a family here in Minot who lost a daughter -their loss is far greater than ours- their pain is far greater than ours-But we could visit our son in prison. But we have emptiness too," says Gail Schmidkunz.

Dr. Bell says that there are few different reasons why depression could occur and every case is different.

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