Do you struggle with depression?

Depression is a common emotional condition that can range from a day of feeling blue to prolonged discouragement to thoughts of suicide. Depression is one of the most serious emotional challenges that many have been experiencing during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Have you ever been depressed? How bad was it? Depression can come from several sources. Here are six common causes of depression. If you can identify one of these causes, please talk to someone you trust.

1. The loss of a loved one. When we lose someone we love, we naturally grieve. Depression is part of the grieving process.
2. The loss of something important, such as finances.
3. The loss of control, like of our freedoms or lifestyles.
4. A biological imbalance...for example, hormonal changes.
5. A learned behavior from a parent or caretaker.
6. Past unresolved trauma.

I’ll never forget my darkest days. I was 20 years old playing hockey for the University of Ottawa. I was living my vision that college hockey would lead me to the NHL, fame, and fortune. Then, something hit me like a freight train—a severe depression. I was so depressed I contemplated taking my own life. I started to abuse drugs and alcohol. My thoughts for happiness were lost somewhere between Philosophy 101, Shakespeare, Nietzsche, and humanistic psychology. Have you ever lost hope or direction? It’s terrible, isn’t it?

As I look back on those dark days, I think about David’s insightful question: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalms 43:5, NIV) David coaches himself in the second part of this verse to “hope in God.” Unfortunately, I didn’t have faith in God, and I didn’t know how to coach myself.

Are you okay? Has COVID-19 or the media left you depressed or discouraged? Have you lost your job, company, or a loved one? I’m really sorry. Life is super hard on a lot of us, but today, I can share some really good news. This too will pass, and you will grow through this dark time. I’d like to encourage you to seek help, friends, counseling, prayer, and the Holy Spirit with your whole soul. Please don’t suffer in silence.

God is sending you a lifeline with this email. He sent me help with Athletes in Action on our campus, my eldest brother, and a hockey coach who must have been a Christian. Can we pray for you? Can we point you to resources that can help? Can we find you some pastors or good counselors in your area?

You are not alone. We love you. Because even miracles struggle sometimes.

Your friend, Paul Marc Goulet