Depression, Anxiety, and Other Things We Don't Want to Talk About: A Hopeful Christian Guide to Understanding and Discussing Mental Health Paperback – January 5, 2021

TLDR: Helpful, vulnerable, practical, not "preachy" at all, filled with humor and stories that bring some levity and light to difficult and dark topics. Part guidebook, part personal memoir and confession, part call to action - Fully open and excellent! An honest and compelling read from an outstanding writer and thinker.This book is a MUST read...- if you personally suffer from mental health challenges or substance abuse (you will find a compassionate friend and guide who personally understands and has much wisdom and insight to offer);- if you have loved ones who suffer from mental health challenges or substance abuse (you will learn how to better understand their struggles and how to walk faithfully beside them through their pain);- if you are charged with Christian leadership or ministry of any kind (you will discover a gracious fellow minister and leader that will open your eyes and help you more effectively address the mental health epidemic)."Learning to accept and love the parts of ourselves we’d rather keep in the dark is one of the most empowering experiences in life. God loves every part of us. We should too!" - Ryan Casey Waller"...I was reminded of what is perhaps the most important truth to hold on to during any struggle with mental health.I’m not alone.You’re not alone.Understanding and believing this is the first step on the journey toward mental health." - Ryan Casey WallerRyan Casey Waller has provided a treasure for the Church and the world with this book. In Depression, Anxiety, and Other Things we Don't Want to Talk About, he writes with the wisdom that can only come from a personal journey, the poignant writing skill that comes from completing three different advanced degrees, and the heart of a minister and counselor that desires awareness, healing, and change for those who are co-sufferers of mental illness or substance abuse.Ignited by the passion and recognition that mental illness has been treated with a stigma both in the Church and in society as a whole, Waller provides insights into the problem of shame on these topics as well as practical information and tools for how to tackle them head on in pursuit of the abundant life that God has promised. He somehow manages to address this "final spiritual and medical frontier" in a way that is deeply personal and vulnerable, yet also highly readable and accessible. His willingness to bare his soul and talk openly about some of his greatest and most personal struggles and failures is simultaneously courageous and compassionate. Rather than hide behind his considerable academic training, Waller chooses to enter the arena and take "one giant leap" towards removing the stigma and shame: "Even though it’s uncomfortable and vulnerable, I see sharing in this way as both helpful for you and a necessary step for my own healing. This is me choosing to believe you and I aren’t alone in this; this is me following through with the truth that we are better together."If you have ever wondered about what really constitutes mental health and mental illness, buy this book. If you have ever wrestled with the theological implications of God calling his creation "good" and allowing mental illness to exist, buy this book. If you need a primer on the critical role that the Church and Christian communities play in understanding and addressing the difficult topics of mental illness, suicide, and the epidemic that our society is facing, buy this book. If you need help understanding how your perspective and thoughts about your identity play a critical role in your own mental health, buy this book. If you want a handy tool that is chock full of practical tips and guidance on how to help pursue healing through talk therapy, medication, and supportive people/communities, buy this book. If you want a quick reference guide on Depression and Anxiety, and also how to recognize suicidal thoughts and behaviors written by a highly knowledgeable pastor and therapist, buy this book.Finally, while the book is written to a Christian audience, I personally think that its wisdom would also remain practical and useful to members of other faith communities (or none at all).

This author approaches the issue of a mental health from a unique perspective. He is a therapist. So he has a good understanding of the complexities of mental illness. But he is also a pastor, so he understands how mental illness can have a spiritual aspect as well. But he also suffers from mental illness himself. Its one thing to learn and research mental illness. Its a whole other thing to live with it yourself. Mental illness affects whole person. Mind, body, and spirit. Ryan admits he is a still in progress and still struggles. Despite what many Christians and pastors seem to believe, there are no simple answers or quick fixes for mental illnesses. As someone who suffers from depression, panic attacks and OCD, I have been deeply hurt by people in the church. Many people are well intentioned. But when you tell someone who is already struggling that they must have hidden sin in their life and that they just need to trust God, not worry, or just pray and read their Bible more it is extremely hurtful. Mental illnesses are medical illnesses. Most people would never dream of saying things like this to someone to someone with an autoimmune disease, cancer or diabetes. But I have heard all of that in regards to mental illness. A few months back, a very well known padtor said something along the lines of If you are reading your Bible, you wouldn't need to take medication." Christians need to do a better job of being compassionate and less judgemental towards those who struggle with mental illness. Over 75% of people never seek treatment. Mental illness is not the result of sin, a lack of faith or trust in God, or a character flaw. Yes, talking about things like medication, in patient psychiatric treatment and suicide is uncomfortable and unpleasant. But these types of conversations need to happen. Chances are that every Christian has someone in their life who struggles with some type of mental illness. Whether they know it or not. Jesus did not treat people with mental illness this way. There are many in Scripture who struggled with mental illness. Elijah asked Hod to take his life. So did Jonah. Jeremiah was clearly depressed (If you don't believe me, read the book of Lamrntations) many of the things David wrote in the Psalms are indicative of depression. Many scholars believe that Paul's thorn in the flesh could have been some form of mental illness. We need to stop shooting our wounded and broken. Instead, we need to come alongside and offer them hope and compassion. Yes, sometimes God does miraculously deliver people from mental illnesses. But more often, He chooses to heal through thinks like therapy, medication, and impatient treatment. This book should be required reading for every pastor and Christian. The author pulls mo punches and tells the ugly truth. Mental illness is messy and can't be died into a neat little bow. Another excellent book on this subject is Why Do Christians Shoot Their Wounded by Dwight L. Carlson