The idea that depression is caused by a lack of brain serotonin may not only back evidence to back it up, but it could also reduce stigma associated with mental illness. Studies such as that conducted by R. E. Kendell (2014) have time and again shown that there is a strong correlation between how mental illness is perceived in a social environment and individual’s willingness to seek help. By explaining the reasons for depression with biological concepts such as a lack of serotonin, people may be more inclined to respect mental illnesses such as depression on the same level as a physical illness. In fact, this distinction between “physical” and “mental” illness is likely to damage patients in the long run by lowering their self-esteem significantly