Keeping health in mind - depression

This was the title of the talk at this morning's Lent Breakfast. Last week Nick and I went to Rushden on a family history hunt so I missed that one but this week we looked at mental health and spiritual growth. It's not easy to analyse your feelings about your own depression at 9 o'clock on a Saturday but it was a very interesting talk about how the church as a whole, and individual members, can help people with mental health problems. The main way is to get along side rather than to confront - offer a cup of tea and listen rather than trying to 'fix' things by asking why are you crying/cross/anxious? Being told to 'pull yourself together' is definitely not helpful!

I have learn through years of coping with depression that there is rarely a 'quick fix'. I have methods of coping which work most of the time but seemingly minor things can push me back into the pit. Guilt is a major factor for many and the church has a role in helping people to cope with this, but it is a process, a journey, not a magic wand moment. How many of us take on jobs and roles in the church because we are afraid that if we don't volunteer the job won't be done? Christian stewardship is not just about using our gifts but using our gifts appropriately - ie not wearing ourselves out. And as part of our care for each other we need to have an eye to how much people are being asked to do - not so that we can take jobs off them, but by having a conversation they might say which jobs they would be prepared to give up.

One thing that the speaker, Clive Hogger, said which really struck me, was a quote from someone called Bill Hybels - "The local church is the hope of the nation". Do we agree with this and if so, is it a threat or an opportunity? So often we use our churches as a safe place to hide, but should we not be on the lampstand rather than under the basket?

In the Q&A session at the end we considered the idea that mental illness can be seen as not conforming to the norms of society, and so where does that leave those of us who try to conform to God's society? Mark (vicar at Berkswell) asked whether there was a difference between being in your right mind and being sane.

As you can see I brought home lots of questions which hopefully I will have time to consider but one last word from Clive. "In the 10 commandments we are told to have a day off a week. If you are not doing that, you are endangering your mental health as well as breaking the law of Moses"