Another Reminder of the Grim Reality of Depression

Major Depressive Disorder is on the rise in all developed and developing countries. Almost all statistical reports point to this grim reality.

Depression is not just knocking at the door of every church. It has already entered and quite alive and well within the community of faith of all stripes.

It is not helpful to keep on denying it especially with a spiritualized idea that if one loves God and soaked in prayer that one is immune to this malady.

Being a Christian does not offer someone immunity from an illness like cancer or diabetes! Why would it be different for mental illness?

Depression is a mental illness that attacks one’s emotional well being by twisting one’s thinking to both worthlessness and hopelessness.

When these two components are unaddressed suicidal thought can follow. After all, what’s the use of living if one doesn’t matter and if life truly sucks?

What you need to do when suicidal thoughts are strong

It is important to embrace that when suicidal thought comes in with a compelling force that one distracts this by actually doing something to combat the compulsion.

• Call a friend or trusted others and report the thought.
• If no one is contactable call a hotline to talk with someone.
• Being immediately connected with another human being for the next 40 minutes to an hour is a very important step.

But this is only the first step.

The next one is to seek professional help.

It doesn’t matter whether one is a minister or mental health advocate.

The need of the moment is to be a seeker of professional connection so that able assistance can be provided.

For many whose sleep pattern has been impaired and whose mood fluctuates or remains unstable, the need to take medication is another important step.

Counselling is only helpful if one’s thought pattern is stabilized and if one’s sleep is brought to order.

Now, being involved in helping others has its place but only after one’s has stabilized.

We cannot use participation in ministry as a cure for depression! This is circumventing the process.

Codependency, one observable peril in ministry

Let me also say here that one observable peril in ministry is unaddressed codependency.

This is a phenomenon composed of the following triad:

1. Deriving personal value in taking care of others’ needs
2. At the expense of personal and family welfare
3. So one can postpone looking at Personal issues.

Codependency often comes from a shame-based background where one has not experienced validation for who one is.

Consequently, the individual grows up becoming performance-based to derive personal esteem or becomes someone else to experience affirmation.

It is an observable fact that many pursue ministry to meet codependency needs and not out of the personal overflow.

The constant pursuit of “success” at all cost is a classic indicator of this! This is a quick recipe for burn out.

No wonder there is a fast turnover of pastors and missionaries that are being reported nowadays.

Among people who participate in ministry, there is an urgent call today for self-care that honours rest, solitude, reflection, and recreative experiences.

But before we do any of these, we need to dispel the toxic idea that spirituality is activity.

Depression can be overcome with appropriate professional attention

Churches need to consider employing a professional counsellor as part of ministry staff.

There is also a need to organize a crisis intervention team to become first responders when someone reports of active suicidal thoughts.

If you struggle with major depression please share this with a respected other now. It is not a weakness to seek help.

As a matter of fact, it takes an enormous amount of strength to do this.

Let the good Lord use the community to help you overcome this malady which seems to be growing by leaps and bounds in every society today.

If you are residing in Singapore call this hotline for help when suicidal thought becomes compelling:1 800 2214444.

If you reside in the USA call 1 800 2738255.

PHOTO CREDIT: Ross Waugh