depression

The CDC lists anxiety and depression as significant factors with regard to suicide; teens and their parents are especially at risk. Serious illness such as chronic pain, criminal/legal problems, job/financial problems or loss, impulsive or aggressive tendencies, substance use, current or prior history of adverse childhood experiences, violence victimization and/or perpetration, and a sense of hopelessness are the other factors cited.

The recent apparent death by suicide of a beloved pastor in Texas made the issue more real for me. It caused me to reflect on other pastors I’ve known over the years who died in the same way. And to relive memorial services I have conducted for suicide victims and their families, among the most painful experiences of my life.

These reflections raise a formative question: Does our faith help to prevent suicide? If so, why? If not, why not?

Known as “deaths of despair,” both the Rust Belt and Appalachia have seen incredible spikes in rates of addiction, overdoses, violence, and suicide. In addition to the thousands who die each year by various forms of self-harm, thousands more live Gollum-like, trapped by their chemical chains and in loneliness.

As New York Times journalists Michael Barbaro and Matt Richtel discussed last week on The Daily podcast, we’re facing an unprecedented crisis in teen mental health.

Christian musician Mandisa is known among fans as the optimistic, bright-smiling singer whose hope-filled songs brighten your day. But as she writes in her new book, Out of the Dark, Mandisa has quietly battled depression and anxiety. Her descent into inner darkness grew worse, she writes, when a close friend died of cancer. That friend was the subject of the 2013 song Overcomer.

America’s pandemic of despair shows up most obviously in the mounting number of suicide and suicide attempts. According to the Centers for Disease Control, suicide rates are higher today than at any other time since the Great Depression.

In a recent podcast episode, Sadie Robertson Huff opened up about her struggles with postpartum depression and anxiety following the birth of her daughter, Honey.

An Arizona church has raised nearly $2 million to pay for counseling services for those emotionally impacted amid the pandemic.

God has promised each of us that we can find wholeness, peace and security in him no matter what trials we are facing. So in these challenging times, let’s be honest with him, participate in community and ask for help when we need it.

A Christian author and teacher voiced concerns that the coronavirus pandemic could worsen pornography addiction and loneliness.

In an Instagram post on Friday, Grammy-award winning Christian singer Kirk Franklin opened up about his struggle with anxiety and depression over the last year.