Hi Kristin! Thanks for reading and writing. You’re courageous for planning to talk to someone. Way to go. You can do it. It’s hard to admit that you need help, especially when you haven’t shared about depression with many people. I’m rooting for you! You got this.

Thanks so much David. I’m grateful for your words.

– david

Thanks Stacy. I’d love to read that article too. My wife is a hero. There’s no denying that. I have no idea how I would have survived some of the darker moments without her. She’s carried us through a lot. Maybe someday she’ll write about it.

I’m sure you would have some important things to contribute to that conversation. Your presence with your friend may be all she needs. I know for me, I always appreciate it when someone is willing to be with me without trying to change my feelings. Like you said, “hang in there” feels too trivial.

Keep supporting, loving, and finding your way through. And thanks for caring enough for her to do so.

I would also love to read an article / blog written by someone who has walked through this with you. I have a friend who struggles with everything you’ve described. In the good times, she’s easy to talk to but when the dark days come, I never quite know how to communicate with her except just to say that I’m there if she needs to talk and encouraging her. Saying something like “hang in there” seems way too trivial…….. Thanks

Hey Christopher! Great question. I’m no expert, by any means, but what comes to mind is simply raising awareness. Creating space for it to be talked about and understood as more or less normal would go a long way to remove the taboo around it. I’d love to have some more conversation around that, if you’re interested. I’m sure the counseling department would be a great resources as well.

Thanks for reading and thanks for asking this question. It means a lot to know you’re thinking about it!

Thanks for your courage to open up. Do you have any ideas about what we can be doing at MBI to do a better job at ministering to students wrestling with depression and suicide? We have to do a better job and I think that you’d be a perfect one to bring some advice. Much love, bro.

Christopher

I’m so grateful that you have been open about your relationship with depression, and I hope that you continue to talk about it. It’s important. We all need to hear it. Thanks for sharing here!