Category Archives: depression

depression, suicide

Cyberbrethren: A Lutheran Blog: Thoughts on the Suicide of a Friend

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Rev. Paul McCain over at Cyberbrethren has an outstanding post on suicide right now. Here is the final paragraph:

Finally, if you know a pastor who is struggling, be sure to reach out to encourage him and support him. Don’t sit around thinking, “Oh, somebody else is going to say something.” No, you say something. Do something. Reach out in Christian love. If a congregation is aware that the pastor is suffering, don’t wait, help.

Amen to that, and thank you, Rev. McCain, for your excellent and well written post.

-DMR

Cyberbrethren: A Lutheran Blog: Thoughts on the Suicide of a Friend: “”

depression, holiday, Prayer

Kicking Depression in the Holiday Season

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32DBF41B-1A4A-4F0E-8CC9-4C6FD1EF7FEF.jpg

Below is a nice article I ran across about giving thanks during the upcoming holiday season. The next six to eight weeks are the most difficult for the clinically depressed. Food, alcohol, family togetherness, money, stress, all of these things come in large doses during this time of year. Here are a few tips:

Be Mindful. Know that this is a difficult time, pray over it, and prepare for it.

Be Intentional. The more you react to situations, the more likely they are to control you. Think in advance as much as possible about how you will handle difficult situations. Rehearse in your mind how you will address them.

Be Prayerful. Never underestimate the power of of intercessory prayer. Pray for yourself, and ask others to pray for you. Especially if you are going down the slope. Drop me an email if you need encouragement. Been there. Done that. I will reply if it is humanly possible.

What am I missing? Help me out here, readers.

-DMR

PS Read the article!

Kicking Depression: Giving thanks, remembering this is a wonderful life: “”

(Via PalmBeachPost.com.)

depression, holiday, Prayer

Kicking Depression in the Holiday Season

4 Comments

32DBF41B-1A4A-4F0E-8CC9-4C6FD1EF7FEF.jpg

Below is a nice article I ran across about giving thanks during the upcoming holiday season. The next six to eight weeks are the most difficult for the clinically depressed. Food, alcohol, family togetherness, money, stress, all of these things come in large doses during this time of year. Here are a few tips:

Be Mindful. Know that this is a difficult time, pray over it, and prepare for it.

Be Intentional. The more you react to situations, the more likely they are to control you. Think in advance as much as possible about how you will handle difficult situations. Rehearse in your mind how you will address them.

Be Prayerful. Never underestimate the power of of intercessory prayer. Pray for yourself, and ask others to pray for you. Especially if you are going down the slope. Drop me an email if you need encouragement. Been there. Done that. I will reply if it is humanly possible.

What am I missing? Help me out here, readers.

-DMR

PS Read the article!

Kicking Depression: Giving thanks, remembering this is a wonderful life: “”

(Via PalmBeachPost.com.)

depression, Pastoral Office, psychology

Am I happier than I thought?

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Paul Gregory Alms over at Incarnatus Est pointed out a study done over a Yahoo! Jobs. Apparently America’s pastors are among the happiest workers.

Now what I find interesting is trying to juxtapose that with the fact that 20-30% of America’s clergy suffer from some sort of clinical depression. I don’t have any real brilliant insights, but I would be interested in yours. What’s your take?

-DMR

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Clergy rated Americas happiest workers: “I bet you thought that headline was an Onion article. Its not.

After all we hear about burnout, stress and unhappiness this comes along. Turns out the ministry is a pretty good gig. While there is a reality in all those things, there must a be a big middle ground of contented folks.

Where Do America’s Happiest People Work?

I guess we are happier than we think.

Career isn’t the only factor”

depression, Pastoral Office, psychology

Am I happier than I thought?

10 Comments

Paul Gregory Alms over at Incarnatus Est pointed out a study done over a Yahoo! Jobs. Apparently America’s pastors are among the happiest workers.

Now what I find interesting is trying to juxtapose that with the fact that 20-30% of America’s clergy suffer from some sort of clinical depression. I don’t have any real brilliant insights, but I would be interested in yours. What’s your take?

-DMR

++++++++++++++++++++++

Clergy rated Americas happiest workers: “I bet you thought that headline was an Onion article. Its not.

After all we hear about burnout, stress and unhappiness this comes along. Turns out the ministry is a pretty good gig. While there is a reality in all those things, there must a be a big middle ground of contented folks.

Where Do America’s Happiest People Work?

I guess we are happier than we think.

Career isn’t the only factor”

depression, Pastoral Office

What to do if your pastor or loved one suffers from depression

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I am working on an appendix for the book right now.  This is a question that I seem to answer a lot.  I have my own answers to this question, which I will post in a bit, but I would like to hear from you.  How would you answer the above question?  If you are a parishoner, spouse or friend of someone (pastor or not) who suffers from depression, what should you do?

depression, Pastoral Office

What to do if your pastor or loved one suffers from depression

4 Comments

I am working on an appendix for the book right now.  This is a question that I seem to answer a lot.  I have my own answers to this question, which I will post in a bit, but I would like to hear from you.  How would you answer the above question?  If you are a parishoner, spouse or friend of someone (pastor or not) who suffers from depression, what should you do?

depression, family, stimulation

Not understood

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I’m visiting with a parishoner the other day, I was struck once again by how completely misunderstood clinical depression is, in all of its various forms.  This parishoner felt terribly guilty because he couldn’t spend any time with his family.  He felt selfish that he had to spend so much of his time nad energy just on being able to function in a normal way.  Two hours with the kids might mean 10 hours of time alone wiht quiet and no stress.

Was this person being selfish?  No!  They are sick.  When you are sick there are certain things you need to do in order to get well.  If you are talking about chronic sickness, there are certain things you can do, and others that you simply can’t.  It isn’t a sign of moral failure.  It is a sign of the fallenness and general sickness of our world and our own bodies.  I urged this person to remember that they are doing what they do in order to get better.  They are doing it so that they can fulfill their vocations as husband and father and worker.  They aren’t being selfish.  Far from it. They are being selfless.

It is easy when you are in the midst of the darkenss to think that you are coddling yourself by having to spend so much time alone and in little or no stress situations.  When I was on disability, I played 157 rounds of golf.  It took a lot of time, it cost a fortune, and I absolutely needed it. Why?  Quiet.  No family, no church, no email, no outside distractions, no stimulation beyond what was right in from of me.  I’m sure there were more economical ways to do it.  But this was my way.  It worked.

So if you are in the midst of the darkness, don’t feel guilty about doing what you need to do to get better.  You are doing them so that you will be able to be with your family and friends again.  You are doing them so that you can serve you neighbor as best as you are able.  And God is with you, will cover up your weaknesses, and use you to His glory and for the welfare of many.  Including your family and friends.

-DMR