A lot of people find January hard, especially those struggling with emotional health. There’s the additional challenge at this time of SAD, dark mornings and evenings, cold weather, the return to work from holiday, high numbers on the weighing scales and the Christmas decorations coming down. This post isn’t intended to be particularly profound, justContinue reading “Surviving January”
Tag Archives: Depression
COVID-19 depression and suicide
There has been some discussion about the affects of COVID-19 and lockdowns on mental health. Now despite the memes that have circulated on social media about spiralling suicide rates, the data as we have it does not suggest that this seems to be the case. If there have been any increases in incidents, they reflectContinue reading “COVID-19 depression and suicide”
He is stronger than the Darkness
We’ve been learning this new song from Tommy and Eileen Walker over the past few weeks. Over the past few years, our Sunday Night Church congregation have grown fond of the worship songs provided by Tommy Walker. The words that particularly struck me in this song are “He’s stronger than the darkness.” Although this isn’tContinue reading “He is stronger than the Darkness”
Anxiety
I’ve written quite a bit over the past year about depression. However, many people who experience emotional health issues don’t just suffer from depression. In my case, the doctor diagnosed me with Mixed Anxiety and Depressive disorder. So, I wanted to write a little bit about anxiety now. Anxiety can be experienced as a chronicContinue reading “Anxiety”
Depression tells you that you are weak – and that’s okay
It’s the funny thing about Sertraline. Every morning if you’ve been pre-scribed it, the box sits there on the breakfast table as a reminder that you need to take your medication. And each morning, it shouts out to you “You are so weak.” It’s funny because you don’t think that when you get up andContinue reading “Depression tells you that you are weak – and that’s okay”
Surviving the pandemic with depression and anxiety
It’s #WorldMentalHealthDay so I thought I’d share some quick thoughts on surviving through the Coronavirus pandemic with depression and anxiety. So, in no particular order, here are some suggestions. If you are taking medication, continue to take it and review with your GP. Don’t suddenly stop. Make sure that you have a sufficient supply inContinue reading “Surviving the pandemic with depression and anxiety”
The role of Scripture in treating mental health issues
I have read reports recently from people experiencing “Christian counselling” for mental health issues where this amounted to giving them a few bible verses to read and memorise. So, I thought I would outline a few reflections around this. The first thing to say is that this is sometimes described as Biblical Counselling. However, thisContinue reading “The role of Scripture in treating mental health issues”
Pills, therapy and sin
US pastor Gabriel Hughes tweeted the following to his 15k followers this week. I want to spend a little bit of time responding here as quite a few people reacted strongly to what came across as an insensitive comment. Among Hughes’ followers will be people who struggle with depression, other forms of mental illness andContinue reading “Pills, therapy and sin”
Why is there a stigma about mental health issues and suicide?
If I called in sick with a broken ankle, a severe bout of flu (genuine flu not man-flu) or because I was due serious surgery, you would probably think nothing of it. Yet, despite all of the progress in our understanding of mental health, we still have a problem with its stigma. Why is that? Continue reading “Why is there a stigma about mental health issues and suicide?”
Three Types of Depression
In our morning prayer, Psalm reflections, I recently commented that the Psalmists often express experiences that seem to give voice to the experience of those experiencing depression. This can include sadness leading to tears, deep heartache and longing and insomnia. I took a little bit of time to describe the three types of depression thatContinue reading “Three Types of Depression”
