Did you know that women are more than twice as likely to experience depression as men? 

I learned this on Tuesday evening at the Marble Women’s Ministry program. There is no definitive reason why women experience depression in such great numbers - some thought that the reasons might have been hormonal while others suggested that it might be cultural. Women are expected to be strong caretakers for everyone else while society gives a standard of unattainable perfection.

Author James Hollis writes: “the experience of depression may seem like a moral failure, a flaw in the cosmos or an unwelcome visitor.” He continues, “Knowing that fluctuations of mood are normal, inevitable and part of the meaning of our journey, is essential if one is to live without estrangement from self and world.”

On Tuesday night, we had a panel of three wise women to guide us through a profound discussion. Each has a distinct professional perspective and a spiritual anointing that they generously shared:

Dr. Catherine Atkins is a psychologist specializing in neuropsychology in private and clinical practice. She has worked across the spectrum of life from children’s psychology all the way to geriatric patients. What is one thing that she knows “for sure” about depression? “Depression sucks,” says Dr. Atkins.  Alluding to Jeremiah 20:9, she further articulated that God puts within each of us a life-force that is like a fire in our bones. The experience of depression is as if the life-force fire is being pressed down to scarcely an ember.

Marble member, Dr. Adrienne Sprouse spoke about the importance of addressing the “whole person” in the treatment of depression. Many doctors immediately jump to prescription treatments. Dr. Sprouse feels that depression should be addressed by looking broadly. She says that depression can be rooted in spiritual illness, emotional illness or a variety of physical illnesses (including malnourishment, food allergies, environmental toxins and hormonal imbalances). Dr. Sprouse feels that connecting with Christ is important in healing and is a way of restoring inborn joy in our lives.

Terrie Williams, noted businesswoman and author with a clinical social work background, was frank in sharing her own experience with depression. She told how she struggled through each day, barely able to get out of bed in the morning. The path to recovery has taken in talk therapy, medication, prayer and a disciplined spiritual practice of gratitude. Ms. Williams uses her experience as a healing resource for others. She mentors teens and is the power behind the website depressionisreal.org. Look for her new book in 2008 called Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting.

The MWM wanted everyone to leave with a seed of hope for themselves or a loved one. Healing of depression is possible. Therefore, I offer these words from Ephesians 3: 

I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God . . .  who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine.

Be well!