Thank you for this VERY VERY IMPORTANT post and video link kathilee. I am a born again Christian, but I still take medication to help manage my depression. This does not mean that my faith, or anyone else's who suffers from mental illness, is in any way weak or less real. I like the fact that Dr. Lin compares the disability statistics of those who suffer depression to those with cardiovascular disease because both are illnesses and part of our bodies and should be looked at in the same light. My faith makes my battle with depression much easier to bear, but it is still somethng that is part of me and is not something that myself or anyone would "choose" to endure!!!

Great video kathilee. A lot of the larger churches have mental health professionals on staff now, I think some churches are realizing and agreeing with what Dr Lin is saying.

You are still in my prayers (((HUGS)))

Having mental ( psychological ) issues is nothing new nor nothing to do with the lack of faith or a weakness in one’s faith. Even in today’s world, we still know so little about how the mind and body works that who are we to say what causes mental illness, much less a lack or weakness in faith?

We live in a world filled with contributing factors upon our lives. Emotional stressors endless, daily chemical exposures unknown, traumas of all kinds ( physical, visual, emotional, verbal ), and the list can go on. What impacts do these things make upon our emotions that have nothing to do with not having faith or a weakness in faith. We are flooded with so much ever minute of everyday that it is only obvious that we are going to have some unhealthy psychological reaction that needs to be addressed.

My church offers counseling for many issues beyond just faith. Maybe because they understand the world we have to survive in daily. Tell me my emotional issues are a result of not having faith or a weakness in faith and I’ll tell you things you would be amazed a Christian might still say out loud. Oh, got to go. I found food and the tv remote.

I am so proud of all of you as Christians ! Thank you kathilee for this video.

Thank you everyone for watching and for your comments. I wrote a reply the other day and then when I hit send it disappeared. anyway

Years ago when I was going through a very difficult time with anxiety and depression, I had someone close to me say..Oh I know what your problem is ..its your relationship with God isn't right..That hurt and confused me.

Thanks so much for praying for me Misred. I am praying for you too. ((hugs))