Depression

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>Anyway, I need some Help.  I teach a Sunday School class, consisting of
>children from the ages of 11 - 13.  On particular student, Derek age 13, tends
>to be a bit depressed and very down on life.  He has to take a drug (starts
>with a P, I forgot the name of it) everyday or he will become extremly
>depressed and even suicidal.  One Sunday, will I was out of town, he forgot to
>
Suzette-

I work with Prince of Peace Ministries out of Seymour, Indiana.  Formerly I
was an administrator in an acute care psychiatric program in Middle
Tennessee, where we also had a youth shelter and and outpatient program. I
currently supervise a developmental therapy program based in Columbus,
Indiana. I am a licensed UPCI minister, as well.

I am going to e mail you a copy of an article I wrote for the Forward a few
months ago.  We have made it into a Prince of Peace brochure, and I can mail
you some copies if I have an address.  It is entitled Dealing With
Depression, and is written from a Pentecostal perspecitive.  Bro. Brown is
correct in his information concerning the psychotrophic medication.  Missing
one dose would certainly not have the kind of impact that you mentioned.
Psychotrophic medicine helps to restore chemical imbalances within the brain
that may be contributing to depressive symptoms.  Medications such as
Prozac, Zoloft, and others help to restore the balance.  They are no
different than medications for any other physical affliction.  And just as
we believe God can heal diabetes or emphysema, He can heal depression.  But
if He doesn't, medicine is appropriate too.  I would be extremely cautious
in advising anyone to discontinue medicine without consulting their physician.

Medicine alone will not cure depression.  Because man is body, soul, and
spirit, all three of these areas must be addressed to deal with depression.
Here is the area you must understand to help the boy in your class.  In the
E Mail I send, there will be some suggestions as to ways you can address
these three areas- spiritual, emotional and physical.

God bless you for your concern for this child.  I believe that we
Pentecostals have the greatest potential for ministering to emotional
illness-  but too often, we are not as informed as we ought to be.

Finally, Sis. Sylvia Clemons with ACF is a good resource, as well as our
ministry, Prince of Peace.  You can communicate with her via E Mail.  Don't
hesitate to contact me, if I could provide any further information, as well.
(POP is geared more to ministering to preachers, and helping to equip
ministers and churches with resources for counseling).

Bro. Rex Deckard