It is so sad that some people think that “now” is forever and do not realize that life is not a stagnant pool but rather a current that will constantly move you into new situations, good and bad.  Those with chronic/long-term illnesses and the family that care for them often experience time as if it is standing still.  Those who are living in financial instability can become overwhelmed and afraid.  Memories of “the way it used to be” can be painful.  What-if scenarios become a daily ritual.  Dignity can be gone as a family member needs to be assisted with the basics of daily needs.

When life gets crazy and it feels like it is coming from all directions remember this….life on earth is a temporary assignment. If you believe, as Arla does, that God has created a better place for us, then it is important to remember that our struggles on earth are temporary. We are not made for this place; we are made for heaven. So this world will feel crazy. It is like living in a foreign country and not always fitting in.  Live life as it comes and rejoice in the fact that this life is a time to get ready for something really wonderful.  It is normal to feel overwhelmed or sad or angry or frustrated.  But it is not normal to feel that way all day, everyday.  Many in our midst are depressed.  Many in our midst are dealing with overwhelming problems.  And the holidays and lack of daylight in the winter months can make depression even worse for some people.

A person who has depression does not think like a typical person who is feeling well. Their illness prevents them from being able to look forward to anything. They can only think about NOW and have lost the ability to imagine into the future. Many times they don’t realize they are suffering from a treatable illness, and they feel they can’t be helped. Seeking help may not even enter their mind. They do not think of the people around them, family or friends, because of their illness.

They are consumed with emotional, and many times, physical pain that becomes unbearable. They don’t see any way out. They feel hopeless and helpless. They don’t want to die, but it’s the only way they feel their pain will end. It is a non-rational choice. Getting depression is involuntary – no one asks for it, just like people don’t ask to get cancer or diabetes. But, we do know that depression is a treatable illness.

Many times people cannot express how horrible or desperate they’re feeling – they simply cannot put their pain into words. There is no way to describe it.  Sometimes a depressed person chooses suicide.  A suicide attempt, signs that someone is considering suicide, or talk of wanting to end it all must always be taken seriously. We need to “key into” phrases like those instead of dismissing them as just talk. It is estimated that 80% of people who died of suicide, mentioned it to a friend or relative before dying.

The main reason people don’t talk about it is because of the stigma. People who suffer from depression are afraid that others will think they are “crazy”, which is so untrue. They simply may have depression. Society still hasn’t accepted depressive illnesses like they’ve accepted other diseases.  In fact, we as a society have come to accept that we will feel bad, but depression is not a normal fact of life.

Stigma prevents people from getting help, and prevents society from learning more about suicide and depression. If everyone were educated on these subjects, many lives could be saved.  The National Institute of Mental Health offers a list of signs and symptoms of depression.  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has a list of warning signs that someone may be thinking about committing suicide.

Do not be afraid to speak with a friend or acquaintance who seems overly sad or is exhibiting the signs you can link to above.  And remember to pray for those with depression.