WHAT THE CHURCH CAN DO ABOUT

DEPRESSION:

A COMMUNITY IMPERATIVE

NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

MAY, 2009

CYNTHIA TURNER-GRAHAM, M.D., DFAPA

"The wonder is not that so

many Black folks have

succumbed [from our

generational wounds]. The

wonder is us - that we have

survived. We are the offspring

of a people who refused to

die“ -Susan

Taylor 

“Our lives begin to end the day we are silent about things

that matter."MLK, Jr.

Effects of psychological distress

DEPRESSION & ANXIETY

POOR HEALTH HABITS

Smoking, physical inactivity, etc.

weight gain, obesity, high cholesterol, high

blood pressure, elevated C-reactive protein

Three-minute writing exercise

AS I CHILD GROWING UP, I

LEARNED THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE DEPRESSED

_________

[FILL IN THE BLANK]

WHY IS THIS ISSUE OF CLINICAL DEPRESSION IMPORTANT?

DEPRESSION IN THE U.S.

• 18.8 million (9%) American adults ages 18 and older have depressive disorders

• 4.5% of adolescents have a depressive disorder

• 2% of in-school-age children have a depressive disorder

• Over one million (4%) pre-schoolers are clinically depressed

*Statistics provided by the NIMH

COST OF MAJOR DEPRESSION

• $70 billion is spent annually in health care visits (U.S.)

• $12 billion of this total is a result of lost sick days (U.S.)

• $11 billion in ‘other costs’ (U.S.)

*Costs provided by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

DSM-IV-RMajor Depressive Disorder (MDD)

#1

Depressed mood

Or

Pervasive loss of interest or pleasure

For at least two weeks

#2PLUS 5 OF 7

1. Significant weight loss or gain

2. Insomnia or hypersomnia

3. Psychomotor agitation or retardation

4. Fatigue or loss of energy

5. Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

6. Impaired concentration, indecisiveness

7. Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

Differential Diagnosis of Depression

• Major Depressive Disorder

• Dysthymic Disorder

• Seasonal Affective Disorder

• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

• Post-partum Depression

• Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood

• Bipolar Depression

NATURAL COURSE OF MDD

• Depression is usually self-limiting, lasting 3 - 6 months untreated

• 10% chronic and persistent

• 50% recovery with recurrence • 40% recovery without recurrence

Key Symptoms of Depression in African-

American Males

• Pain symptoms • Headaches• back aches, • stiff neck• achy shoulders • GI disturbances

• Feeling hopeless, helpless

• Anger, irritation

DEPRESSION TRENDS

• Failure to detect depression is increased in the African American and Hispanic population

• Failure to detect depression is increased in people less than 35 years of age

• 50-80% of females develop postpartum depression within the first two weeks of delivery

*Statistics provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), 2006

Phyllis HymanJuly 6, 1949 - June 30, 1995

(died of suicide by overdose)

FIVE REASONS WE HIDE OUR PAIN

1. It would hurt my family 2. It will ruin my career3. Folks will think I'm crazy 4. I can't afford to seem

weak 5. I still have shame about

it: I know I shouldn't but I do and can't help it

AS I GREW TO ADULTHOOD AND BECAME MORE AWARE OF EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS

AROUND ME, I REALIZED_________

[FILL IN THE BLANK]

Three-minute writing exercise

Consulting a Mental Health Professional

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

CLINICAL TREATMENT OF Major Depressive Disorder

• Counseling & psychotherapy

• Medication

• Maintenance of healthy lifestyle

Anti-depressants

WHAT CAN WE DO?

NOT THIS!!

For this is the will of God . . . that

each of you should know how to

possess his own vessel in

sanctification and honor.

I Th 4:3-4

Creating healthy communities

LISTEN TO YOURSELF TALK

Distinguish between

life-affirming vs.

life-strangulating

modes of communication.

• Be intentional about your health - physical, emotional and spiritual

• Give voice to your feelings

• Don't be afraid to ask questions

• Manage your fears aggressively

Creating healthy communities

Seek professional help when needed •For self •For loved ones

Creating healthy communities

PRAY

WITHOUT

CEASINGThessalonians 5:17

Ephesians 6:18

Creating healthy communities

Emotional Health and Fitness = OUR GOAL

Three-minute writing exercise

THE MOST TRYING

EXPERIENCES HAVE TAUGHT ME LIFE'S MOST VALUABLE

LESSONS, INCLUDING ___________

[FILL IN THE BLANK]

Collecting our Pearls of Wisdom

For 5 minutes, discuss in groups of 2 or 3 life’s most valuable

lessons and how they might apply to addressing the issue of clinical

depression in our community.

Recording what we’ve

learned . . .

I will meditate on your precepts

And contemplate your ways

I will delight myself in Your statues. . .

I will not forget Your word.

Psalm 119: 16