By Mary Ircink, parish nurse
“I lift up my eyes to the hills-from where will my help come?”… Psalm 121
Depression is a serious illness. People in adulthood are most likely to develop depression, but it also can affect children and the elderly.
Depression can affect your body, mood, thoughts and behavior and is accompanied by inability to concentrate, a loss of energy and a change in eating or sleeping patterns.
Depression is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be wished away.
Depression symptoms can last for weeks, months or years.
A variety of treatments have proven effective for depression.
If you are concerned about someone being depressed, reach out to them.
If you think you are experiencing depression, please seek professional help!
Here are some resources:
Emergency Mental Health/24 hour crisis line 1-800-273-TALK (8255) suicidepreventionlfeline.org
Journey Mental Health Center 280-2700 journeymhc.org
Survivors of Suicide (resource for family/friends), 280-2435 (confidential voice-mail), 280-2600 24-hour emergency hotline, sos@journeymhc.org
Parental Stress Center 241-2221 canopycenter.org
Domestic Abuse Intervention Services 251-1237 abuseintervention.org
National Alliances for the Mentally Ill 249-7188 namidanecounty.org
Other helpful resources: