Reach Out

Day 9 of 31 days of depression.

If I could give you one piece of advice out of this entire series, this is it.


Reach out for help.

And please, please reach beyond your friends to someone professional. A doctor, counselor, or pastor.

The timing of this post is painful as I myself face a tragic loss to murder/suicide. It’s beyond comprehension.

I know from personal experience how hard it is to tell a doctor that you are feeling suicidal. No one wants to utter that word out loud.

It’s dark, scary, and lonely to be there.

But it can get darker and more frightening if you don’t talk to someone.

If you fear that look of having grown a third eye, then it’s all the more reason to seek professional help. They are trained to hear you. To not react in horror or shock. And to help you deal with what ever is going on.

If you don’t find the right counselor the first time, keep looking.

And if it’s more than you can handle, ask someone to help you. Those who love you, want to help you.

Do today:

  • Memorize this scripture: He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2
  • Pray: Lord, I need help beyond my friends and family but I don’t know how to ask for it or where to start. Direct my path to the right person to help me. I want to work through this and come out on the other side better for it. Please help me.  In Jesus Name, Amen.
  • Call for help. Make the phone call. Reach out. Today.

If you are feeling suicidal, please call 1-800-TALK or visit: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

To Purchase this song:Cry Out To Jesus

 

The next 31 days we will be discussing depression and healthy ways to combat it but we’re going to get real too. Because for those of us who wind up in the pit often, we know platitudes and fluff pieces do nothing for us. My expertise is only based on my own very personal battles with depression and is no way, professional or medical advice. Your participation in this series is voluntary and Melinda Todd is not legally responsible for any choices or actions of participants. Participants release Melinda Todd and Trailing After God from responsibility and liability and continue at their own risk and discretion.

10 Comments

  1. Mel, you are so right. It took me a year to find the right counselor for me. And friends and family helped. The last thing someone needs when facing depression is to be alone or feel alone. I’m so sorry to read that are experiencing the sort of loss of murder/suicide. So much pain in this world. Thank God for His hope! Someday we will be pain FREE.

  2. Such great encouragement for so many who suffer in darkness. I’m so sorry for the tragic news of such loss. No one should ever have to be that alone and broken. Sending hugs to you today, Mel.
    Debbie Dillon recently posted..Humble Beginnings

  3. Remembering we are not alone, even when it is just us facing the darkness, is so important. God never leaves us. And there is always someone who will reach back if we are willing to reach out, even a little bit.

    Praying for this situation and for you Mel.
    Shanyn recently posted..Your Name Is Safe

  4. Lost and Found Lady

    First off, Mel, all of the words that you wrote are accurate. It’s such a complex, difficult situation that accuracy is hard to come by. That’s one of the highest compliments that I could give.
    Since God’s words are so much effective than mine, it is my intention to include them in a healing, comforting way and not in any sense of an urge or advice.
    Psalms 37:3 The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;
    Proverbs 2:8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones
    Deut: 31: 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
    Romans 1:11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

    Mel, I see your faith. This faith may have taken a huge dent from recent events. I testify that your faith is alive. You will see both with your inner spiritual sight and your earthly, human sight the benefits of this faith. I saved the best verse for last.

    Malachi 3: 16-17 Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name.
    “On the day when I act,” says the LORD Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him

  5. I have always said if it were not for the 3 boys my husband left behind for me to raise when he left me for my best friend, I would not have survived. I would have taken the ‘easy’ way out. But I knew I could not do that to my kids. So 10 years later here I am with my boys, now young men, remarried {2 years ago} and helping my youngest son, 16 fight his anger over realizing what his dad did. I don’t believe he is suicidal, but he is angry! I ask for pray for him because I know what anger can do to a person and what the enemy will do with it.

  6. Hi Mel ~
    Yes, thank you for reaching out to those who suffer with depression and perhaps suicidal thoughts. I have been there myself, and although it has been many years, it is an experience I will never forget. There is no lonlier feeling than to feel hopeless.
    I started my own blog yesterday. Please feel free (everyone) to visit and comment. I need the encouragement. :0) http://jaspictureperfect.blogspot.com/

  7. I have been reading these once a day since I found them. Except this one. I am a day behind now. I was too overwhelmed yesterday to do any of my daily reading. But it’s for a good reason. I had an appointment with a counselor yesterday. I think I found one.. I hope I found one. I have been disappointed before, so I don’t know. I have one month of appointments penciled in.
    I actually feel better.. we’ll see.

    • That’s great, Amy! I will pray you have found the right person to talk to. When I found the right one, she did more listening than anything. I always felt better because I was able to safely get stuff off my chest.

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