Don't underestimate depression

Oct. 08--Getting back to normal after tangling with a ruthless foe called "The Blues" takes a multifaceted approach, the first step of which is recognizing the strength of your opponent. Failing to do so can threaten your relationships, your job and even your life, Odessa ministers say.

The Revs. Dawn Weaks, Steven Adair, Landon Coleman and Andrew Arp say continuing to practice one's religion is important, but more is often required. "I tell them God is with them in their darkness, encourage them to get a medical exam and ask questions about how depressed they are to assess if they're suicidal," said Weaks, co-pastor of the First Christian Church.

"I work with them to get appropriate medical-psychological resources as well as to support them spiritually. When people say someone committed suicide, it would be more accurate to say they succumbed to the disease of depression or some other mental illness."

Having survived breast cancer, Weaks said churches should be open about the issue. "Mental illness is much more common than we realize, but there is still a stigma associated with it," she said.

"I had times when I was down during my cancer experience, and there have been times when I felt discouraged and sought counseling and medical help. Exercise and diet can help, and sometimes a person's brain chemistry is not properly balanced and they need medicine."

Weaks said the MHMR-affiliated Permian Basin Counseling Center at 600 N. Grant St. (432-550-1100) encourages walk-ins and will set an appointment with a counselor within two weeks, regardless of one's ability to pay. She also recommends the 24-Hour Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

"Depression is not a pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps disease," she said. "The most important thing is to reach out to a positive person for prayer support and go for a walk in the sunshine. Volunteer with Meals on Wheels or take a meal to a neighbor. Focusing on how we can make a difference in the world increases our hope, and we feel better.

"The Psalms speak so expressively about being in the depths of despair."

Adair, pastor of Grace Christian Fellowship, said depression "is something a lot of people struggle with as they go through the ebbs and flows of life.

"People within the family, the spouse or co-workers may recognize it before the person who is struggling," he said. "The individual has to be assured that they're not messed up or broken. There is nothing wrong with them for feeling the way they feel."

Adair said families and friends should get involved early because the problem gets worse if left unattended. "Professional help can be beneficial," he said.

"It may be a life event or something from the past. It's especially important for Christian people to know that God is good. He doesn't desire us to live under the influence of depression or anxiety."

Citing John 10:10 and Deuteronomy 31:8, Adair said God wants those who love him "to have life more abundantly" and that "the Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you, so do not be afraid and do not be discouraged.

"Many people seek careers or other accomplishments in the world that do not fulfill," Adair said. "Jesus declared that fulfillment doesn't come from the world, it comes from Him. Life that is full is no longer seeking because the fulfillment has been found."

Coleman said troubling emotions may stem from things like a strained marriage, difficulty finding work, childhood abuse or war experiences. "I'm not trained as a counselor or physician, so I don't pretend to tell people what the medical issues may or may not be," the Immanuel Baptist Church pastor said.

"I work with them on emotional and spiritual issues, listening and talking about what the Bible says. I don't want it to sound like, 'Read your Bible every day, and you'll get over it.' But I do ask, 'Have you been reading your Bible and have you been consistent in worship, being part of the body of Christ and serving other people?'

"These things are often lacking when somebody is struggling spiritually."

Coleman seeks a balance between doing everything he can and recognizing when additional help is appropriate. "Every pastor has an obligation to walk with his people through this sort of struggle, not just outsource it to a counselor," he said.

"Pastors also need the wisdom to know when other help is needed and not be so arrogant as to think they can fix everybody's problems."

Arp, pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene, said a depressed person should first examine the patterns of his or her life -- are they exercising and eating and sleeping well?

"Sometimes we think we can think and feel our way out of this, but it is an issue that starts to affect our relationships and work lives and can even affect our spirituality," Arp said. "Talking to a minister and going to church can help, but I think God has gifted certain people like psychologists and psychiatrists with better insight than pastors.

"Christian-based counseling can help. Dealing with something so close to who you are, you need to find somebody who matches your personality."

Recommending Agape Counseling Services at 2817 JBS Parkway (432-550-5683) Arp said, "I think Christ is just as concerned with our mental health as He is with our physical and spiritual health."

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