By Joymary Nakigozi
When the darkness feels like a permanent home, healing can begin with taking one step at a time.
I'm depressed, many say and others say they are sad! What's the difference?
Sadness is a short course emotion which fades quickly while depression is more than being sad. It is a mental health condition that can affect how a person thinks, feels, behaves, relates to others and experiences everyday life.
Sometimes, a person living with depression may laugh, attend school or work, socialise and appear completely fine while privately struggling to get through the day.In a world that often tells people to “be strong,” many suffer silently.
But depression does not have to be the end of someone's story. Healing is possible, although it may take time, support and professional care.
One way of understanding the journey is through three corners of life: the mind, the body and the spirit .
The corner of the mind (understanding the battle)
The first step toward healing is recognising what is happening. Depression can fill the mind with thoughts such as “I am not good enough,” “Nobody cares about me,” “Nothing will ever change,” or “There is no point in trying.” These thoughts can feel extremely convincing, but a thought is not automatically a fact.
Healing begins when we learn to notice these thoughts rather than allowing them to define who we are.Asking for help is not weakness.
Sometimes the strongest sentence a person can say is:“I am not okay, and I need help.”
The corner of life (caring for the person who is carrying the pain)
Depression does not live only in the mind. It can affect the body too. A person may experience changes in sleep, appetite, energy, concentration and physical activity. Even simple responsibilities can begin to feel exhausting.
This is why healing also involves learning to care for the body. It may begin with small things: getting out of bed, taking a shower, eating something nourishing, drinking water, getting some sunlight, taking a short walk or maintaining a reasonable sleep routine.
"Sometimes healing looks less like running and more like taking one small step."
The corner of the spirit (Finding meaning, hope and restoration in God)
The Bible reveals a number of people who went through depression: famous of all, Job, who lost everything and was struck by a plague "Job.3.1 Then Job broke the silence. He spoke up and cursed his fate: (MSB)" . But Job chose to hope in the lord and God restored to him whatever he had lost .
We have Hannah , who had it all but was barren and this caused great sorrow and depression in her life regardless of the love her husband had towards her. She ran to God for help and God answered.
"1Samuel 1: 5 but he always gave an especially generous helping to Hannah because he loved her so much, and because God had not given her children. (MSB)"
Depression can make life feel empty and disconnected. A person may lose interest in things that once mattered to them and begin to question their purpose.
Rebuilding meaning can therefore become an important part of recovery.
For some people, this may involve prayer, Scripture, worship and reconnecting with God. For others, it may involve spending time with trusted people, returning to meaningful activities, serving others, creating art, pursuing education or rediscovering personal goals.
God is in full charge of someone's healing journey while doctors, counsellors, psychologists, family members and friends also become part of the support system.
Walking through healing from depression
Healing from depression is rarely a straight road. There may be good days and difficult days. Someone may feel better for a while and then struggle again. This does not necessarily mean they have failed.
Recovery is not about becoming the person you were before the pain. Sometimes it is about becoming a person who understands themselves more deeply, knows when to seek help and has learned how to walk through difficult seasons without walking through them alone.
And for those standing beside someone with depression, listen without immediately trying to fix everything. Check on them. Take their words seriously. Encourage professional support. Avoid judgment and remind them that their struggle does not make them a burden.
If someone is thinking about suicide or feels unable to stay safe, this is an emergency. They should seek immediate help from emergency services, or a trusted person who can stay with them and help them access urgent care.
Depression may tell a person that the story is over. Healing reminds them that there can still be another chapter.
Don't forget to seek professional help.
Ms Joymary Nakigozi is a mental health educator and advocate