Five things to click this week(end)

Posted Aug 21, 2015 in Culture

Spicer Uniting Church in Adelaide will soon hold “Relating to depression”, a forum exploring the impact of depression on individuals and communities.

The event will be held at Spicer (44a Fourth Avenue, St Peters) on Monday 24 August at 7.30pm. Keynote speakers will provide clinical and personal insights, and a panel will consider responses that are practical, caring and informed.

Among those speaking at the forum event are Dr Ian Coats and Mary Jo Fisher. Ian is a psychologist who helps adults, particularly men, with a range of issues. Mary Jo is a beyondblue ambassador and former South Australian senator.

This event aims to bring discussion of depression into the light – something churches can sometimes struggle with. The articles linked below explore different intersections of church life and depression, presenting a variety of viewpoints and ideas.

Have you read, watched or browsed an interesting item recently? Please send suggestions for links to include in future “Five things” posts to Turn on Javascript!

For more information about the Spicer Uniting Church event, please contact their church office (Tuesday-Thursday 9.30am-3.30pm, Friday 9.30am-2.30pm) on 8362 3771 or Turn on Javascript!

If you need to talk to someone about depression, please consider contacting Lifeline on 13 11 14 or find out more here.

The Uniting Church SA “Suicide: it’s no secret” campaign deals with the stigma around suicide, which is often linked with depression or other mental health issues. For more information about this campaign, please visit nosecret.org.au

 

Christian and depressed: what churches can do to help person with mood disorders

Psych Central

Psych Central Associate Editor There J. Bochard shares her personal experiences struggling with her faith, depression and addiction. She suggests five practical steps that ministers, pastors and church leaders can take to ensure they are providing adequate support for people in their congregation who are living with depression or other mood disorders.

 

The Depression Epidemic

Christianity Today

In this in-depth article, Dan G. Blazer, J.P. Gibbons Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences at Duke University Medical Centre, provides clear explanations of what depression is, its prevalence, its relationship with modern society, and how the Christian church can interact with it. He inserts personal anecdotes and quotes from scripture, adding layers to the factual data he relates.

 

Why all churches should address depression and anxiety

jarridwilson.com

Pastor, author and blogger Jarrid Wilson recalls his own struggles with depression and mental health issues as a teenager in the church. He provides current statistics about depression to give his words context, writing about the need people with mental health issues have for the church, and suggesting a few resources.

 

5 things Christians should know about depression and anxiety

Relevant Magazine

The article begins by addressing the uncomfortable relationship and lack of knowledge some churches have around mental health, particularly depression and anxiety. It lists five points for churches and Christians to remember when thinking and talking about mental health.

 

It can’t be depression… I’m a Christian

Grace Communion International

Mark Mounts was a pastor when, in mid-life, he realised he was depressed. In this article he discusses his personal story, the biology of depression, the help medication can provide, steps for those living with depression to take, a definition of clinical depression, and how these fit with personal spirituality.

 

Please note that the Uniting Church SA is not seeking to recommend the organisations, authors or sites hosting the articles above – the articles were chosen without a review of the sites hosting them in an effort to encourage discussion about depression and the church.

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