Chronic or serious depression (which we might define as a debilitating sadness resulting from a clinical condition that lasts for weeks or months) is now epidemic in America. Each year, millions of men, women, children, and senior citizens are affected by it.

Depression is a medical condition, but it also has emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions. People suffering from depression may feel stigmatized, out of control, alone, and separated from God. To help them, we need to recognize the roots of their condition, determine how it might be treated, and learn to offer love and unconditional support. A caring community can convince someone with clinical depression that he or she is not alone--and through its support can witness to the fact that somewhere there is a loving God who walks alongside the suffering.

Participants will learn that chronic depression is a medical condition that is widespread, treatable, and not a result of weakness, lack of faith, or sin. They will also be encouraged to think about their theology of suffering and how that understanding might help them to help someone with serious depression.

A possible result of this session might be some sort of continued action--more discussion of depression, a support group for those who are affected by depression, either directly or through the suffering of those they love, or some sort of consciousness-raising activity for other groups.