Putting the groceries in the backseat, I climbed into the car and left the parking lot. As I inched toward the road I heard a soft hissing sound that quickly escalated into a loud pop followed by a louder hiss. Oh no! The soda I put in the back seat had just exploded! May is Mental Health Month. If we want to be mentally healthy,…
Barbara was relieved when her son, John, told her he was going out to grab some pizza with the guys. John had been struggling with depression off and on for the past several years. His most recent episode had lasted about three months. Barbara had been worried about John. He had no motivation to do his school work and often called in sick to work….
“I am a loser. No one likes me. The world is better off without me.” Countless teenagers believe these negative thoughts. Students may be surrounded by their peers and yet feel completely alone – like no one would notice if they disappeared. I don’t know about you, but it breaks my heart to think of children and teens who feel like no one cares. Feeling…
Since the death of Robin Williams, “experts” on depression and suicide have come out of the woodwork. I am concerned for those who struggle with depression, as many of these self-proclaimed “experts” tout their opinions as facts. I don’t pretend to be an expert, but I have learned some things from years of living with a husband who had bipolar and died by suicide as…
This week I have been teaching my students about the life of Elijah. The story that comes to most of our minds is his showdown with the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18. Elijah has a mountaintop experience after God demonstrates his power to all the idolaters in Israel. Elijah is elated — for awhile. You see, Queen Jezebel worshiped Baal, and she was…
Did you know research suggests that 25% of the population will seek medical help for mental illness in their lifetime? That is a quarter of the population. Think about your closest friends; if this is true, 1 in 4 will experience mental illness at some point in life. Why then, so we still suffer in silence? Why are we afraid to ask others to pray…