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Confronting the Loneliness Epidemic

Editorial by Terry Forde
 
The words leapt off the page from the article I was reading as if they were on fire. “We live in the most technologically connected age in the history of civilization, yet rates of loneliness are increasing” (Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Forbes, October 17, 2017).
 
Surgeon General Murthy is so persuaded of the impact of loneliness on our health and work that he describes it as a “Loneliness Epidemic,” strong words from a health officer with a unique perspective on the factors and issues impacting public health.
 

Is it "the Blues" or Depression?

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Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Depression, like most mental illnesses, lies on a spectrum,” says Kirk Chung, M.D., medical director of Kettering Adventist HealthCare’s Behavioral Medicine Center in Dayton, Ohio. “Everyone feels down from time to time. Depression, as an illness, is defined by the intensity of its symptoms and duration.”

He adds, major depression is diagnosed by a person suffering with at least five of the following symptoms for a two-week period or longer:

How Can You Help a Loved One With Depression?

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Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Marissa Leslie, M.D., medical director of Adventist HealthCare’s Behavioral Health division in Gaithersburg, Md., says depression should be viewed more like a very severe flu, a serious illness not dependent on faith.

We don’t tell people with the flu to just pray. We tell them to sleep and drink plenty of water. And we ask how we can help.”

In addition to the powerful tool of prayer, here are a few tangible things she suggests to help loved ones dealing with depression: