GRACEFUL STEPS | KAIROS GLOBAL | AUGUST 2023

Author: Soumya Simon

Intro: Soumya Simon gives us a brief understanding of depression, ways to identify it, and how to help those suffering from it.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).

A few years ago when some of my old friends gathered together to catch up on what was happening in each one’s life and to spend a little time in sharing and prayer, one of them shared about how she and her husband struggled through depression and were slowly coping with it. Suddenly another friend said, ‘Hey how can you have depression? Are you not a Christian? Where is your faith?’ I had to respond to him immediately saying, ‘Lack of faith is not the only cause of depression’.

The causes of depression can be different for each individual and can be biological, psychological, social, environmental, and even spiritual in nature. Many biblical figures and saints have been known to have experienced deep despair, loneliness and misery also referred to as an abyss of darkness and God brought them out of it all.

We have numerous occasions when we come across individuals with various psychological concerns and often, we tend to judge them as people lacking faith and prayer. In turn people suffering, try to hide their emotions and put on a mask in front of others so that they are not judged by others. 

The Covid-19 pandemic led to a 25% increase in anxiety and depression, especially affecting the youth. It is extremely essential for us to create a positive and nurturing environment that enables individuals to heal, grow and thrive. 

We are called to embody Christ’s love, mercy, and grace to those struggling with depression and anxiety.

Often people misunderstand feelings of sadness and restlessness as depression and anxiety. It is important to understand that depression is a psychological disorder characteri sed by prolonged sadness, feelings of helplessness, worthlessness and hopelessness and a loss of interest in pleasurable activities. It may include disruptions in mood, cognition and behaviour often resulting in impaired functioning. Anxiety on the other hand is characteristic of excessive worry, fear, and apprehension. It involves intense feelings of unease accompanied by symptoms such as rapid heart rate, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating.

In order to help people suffering from depression and anxiety we must first take initiatives to dispel misconceptions and stigma surrounding mental health like – it is caused due to weakness or lack of willpower, considering depression and anxiety to be just feelings of sadness and nervousness, that it is self-inflicted and an attention-seeking behaviour, that individuals can just snap out of depression and anxiety if they just tried hard enough to cheer up, and approaching mental health professionals is a sign of weakness.

It is important for us to understand the impact these psychological disorders can have on the lives and faith of individuals and take practical steps to accompany these individuals.

We can accompany them by listening to them without judging their experiences and emotions and by empathising with them. It is also essential for us to validate their feelings and emotions, as invalidation of emotions is a root cause for a lot of emotional concerns. Our gatherings and meetings must become a non-threatening place for people where they can feel free to be vulnerable as others continue to provide prayer and spiritual support and encourage self-care practices. The gatherings and individual meetings must foster an environment for open communication and vulnerability while maintaining confidentiality.  

Elders and mentors can play a significant role in helping youngsters seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and by interceding for them. Prayer meetings and other fellowship gatherings can become a beacon of hope for individuals suffering from depression and anxiety.   

Let us continue to become the hands and feet of Christ and carry Christ’s compassion and mercy in our hearts for those suffering from depression and anxiety.

                                                                                                                                                                       A clinical psychologist, Soumya Simon is an assistant professor at  Kristu Jayanti College Bangalore,India.