80% of Americans suffer from a depressive episode at some point in their lives.**
That's one of the memorable learnings from "Caring for the Mind in Health Ministry," an event I attended in St. Cloud before the synod assembly. I can hardly believe it's true, so I'm calling one of the presenters to see where he got the statistic from. I'll revise this post if I find otherwise.**
Knowing so many suffer from depression might help us not be afraid to seek help. Depression is still very serious. It's called one of the big risk factors for suicide.
Please, if you are suffering, mentally or spiritually or in any other way, don't suffer in silence. Let a caring someone know.
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**See Checking the Facts on Monday, June 23, 2008 for correction.
It's not just that easy to tell a 'caring' someone. Suffering in silence, just seems to be the best way.
ReplyDeletemaybe writing that is a first step... i'm sure your suffering is very hard and painful... sometimes interacting anonymously can be a safe first step... feel free to write back again...
ReplyDeletei dont want to just tell someone. because half the time they end up telling someone else. hard and painful? yeah. it is...
ReplyDeleteYes, it is risky telling others. We do need to be careful with our hearts. On the other hand, it's usually unsafe to keep secrets. Secrets hurt.
ReplyDeleteKeeping secrets sounds like the best. i can keep it to myself, and not run the risk of being hurt, or losing the trust of someone i trust. keeping it too myself lets me be in control.
ReplyDeleteWhen I am faced with difficult things it's important for me to seek advice because without it I make decisions I regret later. I hope you'll at least get some advice on how to handle things, if not in person, then by reading something an "expert" has written. I don't know of any professionals who would advise keeping secrets. I think it's important to not always trust our own personal feelings. Personal feelings can lead us deeper and deeper into pain.
ReplyDeleteI have been told that i have depression. when things go wrong i dont want to tell anybody because i dont want them to feel sorry for me or think i am trying to get attention. i want to ask for help, but i dont want to be a bother.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome to come and talk with me. Have you ever seen any kind of professional to try to get help? How did that go? I know it's hard. And I'm sure it gets lonely. Please know that many, many people are struggling with many things, even though they may not look like it on the outside. Sometimes we can help find caring people that you *can* trust in your area. You are not a bother. Our Lord plants his love in our hearts so we can care for each other as we walk through "the valley of the shadow...," the deepest darkness. Read Psalm 139. The Psalms are precious because they let us know that there is no feeling that is foreign to God.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I will think about that.... i tried going to a counselor but i hated it. they dont know me. and what is talking about it going to do? they are paid to sit there and listen and tell me there mumbo jumbo. i dont need that. i am lonely, but at the same time i dont wanna let people in.
ReplyDeletehmmm good questions about counselors... I've appreciated when they've helped me clarify my thoughts and feelings... but I'm an extrovert and like to process things out loud. If you want to take a risk and talk sometime, I'm available via phone, email, in person, on facebook. Of course, none of those are anonymous... if you'd rather keep talking this way it's fine with me.
ReplyDeletei like the whole being anonymous... but i kinda dont like it... but if i did on facebook or email, would you tell people.
ReplyDeleteI don't break confidences unless I feel like I need to save a life. I do consult with other professionals, however, because it's dangerous for me to try to work alone. I need supervision and people to help me not make a mess of things, which I am prone to do, especially on my own. So, if I know you already or if I know your family or friends, please know that I won't tell them unless you give me permission. If I am afraid that someone is a danger to themselves or others, that's a case when I need to do what I can to bring more immediate and professional help. Also, it might be important to me to refer you to someone else because I don't do long term work with individuals, that's not my specialty. Another thing about counselors-- there is a wide variety of people who "fit" with different ones-- I know folks who have had bad and good experiences. And, of course, there are some professionals who are incompetent. So perhaps your experience was just bad because it was a poor fit for you or the person you saw just wasn't good at what they were trying to do. When I look for a doctor, or a car mechanic, or a barber, I ask around and see who people think is good. In this case it's harder because it's a more sensitive issue, but someone like me should be able to help you find someone in your area who might be a good fit. It's a long journey, this life, and we don't want to stay dragged down by our feelings for too many years. It's hard to think about "working" with someone to get to the root of what's going on in our hearts, but the alternative isn't pleasant. Sometimes we end up passing the troubles down, generation to generation, not to mention the heavy weight we end up carrying day by day and the fake front we get tired of holding up.;
ReplyDeleteokay... well.
ReplyDeletesorry for writing so much... i get carried away...
ReplyDeletei dont know what to do... my friends all tell me i need to talk to someone... and, they say if it doesnt get better they will tell someone...
ReplyDeletegive me a call or send an email or facebook me... sounds like you've got good friends.
ReplyDelete