When your pastor gets depressed -what might have caused it?

I recently wrote an article for the Grace in the Depths website outlining the common signs and common causes of depression.  I did so because one of the challenges we face when talking about church leaders and depression is identifying that someone has depression. The second and related challenge is that often the subject remains… Continue reading When your pastor gets depressed -what might have caused it?

Kiss The Son (Psalm 2)

“I’ve learnt that it’s okay to be angry at God” “I have discovered that I need to forgive God first.” Have you heard statements like that?  They sound radical and edgy and I’ve heard these sorts of ideas put forward to help believers that are struggling with grief or emotional heartache. If they believe that… Continue reading Kiss The Son (Psalm 2)

Wrestling with my thoughts -Book Review

Sharon was a high flying, top grade medical student when things began to unravel as she headed towards her final exams. An eagle-eyed, loving aunt first spots the signs that things are not right when Sharon visits her in Los Angeles. What initially looks like a dose of depression to be brushed off spirals into… Continue reading Wrestling with my thoughts -Book Review

Hard Pressed (Psalm 3)

I’ve mentioned when talking about my experience of depression that whilst not everyone experiences suicidal thoughts, the same type of feeling can be experienced either as a desire to hit the self-destruct button or to run away and hide. That desire to flee can come of a sense of being overwhelmed, anxious and not knowing… Continue reading Hard Pressed (Psalm 3)

Towards a theology of depression

Over the last few months, I’ve been involved with a few projects and numerous conversations relating to the experience of Christian workers with depression.  One thing that has come out so often is the extent to which the sufferers and their churches simply were not ready for it when it hit.  At theological college you… Continue reading Towards a theology of depression

Surviving January

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, just… Continue reading Surviving January

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 reflect… Continue 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’t… Continue 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 chronic… Continue reading Anxiety