Depression, Anxiety and Christianity

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 121 million people are affected by depression and anxiety and that number continues to grow annually. It is the leading cause of disability in the world and each year 850,000 people commit suicide. It is a treatable illness yet only 25% of those who suffer from depression have access to effective treatment.

One of Jesus' most famous and quoted sermons is recorded in the Bible in the book of Matthew. It begins, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven." Who is more poor in spirit than the depressed? Yet substantial help for those with depression, anxiety or any mental illness is hard to find in churches these days.

In some churches, those who suffer from depression and anxiety are told that their condition is due to a lack of faith or can be "prayed away." In other churches, it's taboo to discuss any mental illness at all! Mental illness is a health issue just like heart disease and diabetes. While God does have the power to heal and may well take away an illness if we pray and ask Him too, it's silly to tell those with mental disorders that that's the only treatment available to them. What if cancer patients were told that the only option available to them was prayer? We'd call that ignorant, narrow minded and possibly criminal. The fact is, there are many effective treatments for those who are ill with a mental disorder such as depression such as medication, counseling and group therapy.

The church has too long ignored the problem of depression. As an institution, the church should be leading the way on offering counseling, group therapies, in-depth Bible studies on depression and delivering effective medications to those in parts of the world who cannot obtain them on their own. Yet it largely sits silent pretending that depression isn't a real issue.

I'm very passionate about the church taking an active role in assisting those who suffer with a mental disorder, particularly those with depression and anxiety. That's because I lived with depression for over 20 years and suffered from severe panic disorder in my college years. I grew up in the church and knew that I could rely on God for help but as for my fellow church goers, not so much.

Experience taught me that you couldn't talk about depression in church without having your faith challenged. Who ever said that to be a Christian is to be happy? I doubt anyone said it but so many act as though that's the case. Those were difficult years because I desperately wanted answers to questions I knew I couldn't ask.

Read the story of how I finally overcame depression and anxiety with the help of my faith in How Sushi Saved My Life at Jennifer Reynolds Writes.