Hello everyone! 
The day is almost over here on the East Coast of the United States 
, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to reflect on the importance of today, January 13th: World Depression Awareness Day.
Caption: Image generated by Gemini
I believe it is incredibly positive that awareness is being raised about something so real and frequent in the lives of so many. According to health organizations, it is estimated that around 300 million people worldwide are affected by depression.
What can we do about it—first as individuals, and second as Local Guides?
First and foremost, we must recognize that depression is not just a fleeting emotion or simply ‘feeling sad.’ It is something much more complex and profound; it is a very real, often silent illness that requires empathy, understanding, and specialized treatment. I mention empathy because we are often too busy to truly listen to others, which can cause us to overlook what our loved ones might be going through. 
And what can we do as Local Guides? In addition to highlighting specialized health centers on Google Maps, we can highlight places that serve as a complement to recovery—spaces to connect with nature, to breathe, to read, to talk with a loved one, or simply to exercise. 
Physical activity is one of the best ways to feel better 
. That feeling of well-being, relaxation, or euphoria we get when we run or exercise is the result of our bodies generating chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins.
Throughout 2025, I shared several posts regarding psychological and emotional accessibility, and this topic is deeply intertwined with that concept. (I’ll leave the links below!) 
The Magic Fountain: A Heartwarming Discovery in New Brunswick!
Más allá de las rampas: Cómo Ocean County Library fomenta la accesibilidad
The Ripple Effect of a Park: A Journey into Accessibility at Cattus Island
Accessibility Series - Ocean Acres Lake Park
Creating an Accessible Resource for Ocean County, NJ
I have also created a list of beautiful parks near my home that are ideal for this purpose. I hope it inspires you to create your own lists of similar peaceful places in your cities.
16 best parks, Ocean County, NJ
Regarding sports, pickleball comes to mind—a sport I tried for the first time in 2025. It’s a mix of tennis and table tennis that is incredibly fun and generates a lot of camaraderie. I’ve included a link to a court near my house below.
I’m now adding a new goal to my 2026 list: to create a list of 15 places to practice team or individual sports in my county. @TerryPG , I might to edit my list of goals soon! 
That’s all for today. Let’s look out for one another, and don’t forget… #letsguide
Marco
Not all topics are the same, and there are some that I believe are important to communicate in order to create awareness and hopefully inspire action. 