Trigger warning. This post deals with suicidal thoughts. If that makes you uncomfortable, please click away.
As an American I have never understood why the UK keeps a monarchy nor the fascination with the Royal Family.. As someone who is busy with ministry and teaching, I have never been a big fan of talk shows like Oprah. I have always felt I have better things to do with my time. But when I saw a promo clip of the interview with Harry and Meghan, I decided to watch it. My motivation was simply to listen to someone give voice to what so many people struggle with- Depression and what some people struggle with- Suicidal Thoughts.
In the interview she shared that she confided in her husband Harry about her suicidal thoughts and that she needed help. Sharing that so publicly will hopefully help others to share with and confide in loved ones or people they trust.
She also shared that though she asked for help other than from her husband, she was not given help. That is very concerning.
Living with four chronic illnesses all of which have depression and anxiety as possible symptoms, I understand depression. I talked with my doctor and he prescribed medication for me to treat depression and Fibromyalgia. When I confided in one of my pastors, and he said, “Matt it is medical. You do not need to resign your ministry.” it was a moment I will never forget.
My experience has reinforced for me that God does indeed care. Jesus cares and works through other people. God wants us to ask for help.
There is hope for depression and struggling with suicidal thoughts. It is not only okay but wonderful to seek help. If family is not a safe place to confide in, there are school counselors, pastors, mental health facilities. There are hotline numbers.
In the USA-800-273-8255
In the UK- Hotline: +44 (0) 8457 90 90 90 (UK – local rate)
Hotline: +44 (0) 8457 90 91 92 (UK minicom)
Hotline: 1850 60 90 90 (ROI – local rate)
Hotline: 1850 60 90 91 (ROI minicom)
In Canada- 1.833.456.4566
There is always hope and we can ask for help. If we have depression, we can seek help. Talk with a doctor, a pastor, a trusted teacher, talk with someone. If medication is needed, it is not only okay but important to do so. If suicidal thoughts, PLEASE SEEK HELP.
I love the message in these videos. Stay Another Day and Your Story Isn’t Over Yet.
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Matt, thanks for sharing. I have family members who deal with depression. I understand their struggles, and I also recognize my need to be patient and understanding.
Patience and understanding can help
That was brave of her to speak out. I hope it will encourage many.
I listened to part of the interview and I found it very disturbing. She asked for help to deal with her depression and they told her that they cannot help because she was not an employer. The other troubling fact is that they questioned whether her unborn baby will be too dark. The couple is brave for speaking out but I am praying for their safety. Princess Diane died two years after an explosive interview. May the Lord help them. Thank you for sharing.
The comments about her baby made me angry. The fact they would not help her also
It just prove that they did not want any person of color living at the palace. They even disinherited the young man. That is so wicked. He did not commit a crime. He only married for love.
I agree.
I always like and prefer him to his other brother. He is more like his mom. The brother is like the father.
Praise the Lord for placing people and resources in our lives that can sometime alleviate the pain of this disease
Amen 🙏
Amen! I didn’t catch the interview but read about it. It hurt my heart on many levels from the comments on her precious boy to the lack of support. I was so glad she was brave enough to share, hard as I am sure it was. And thank you for sharing this important topic yourself.
She was brave to share and hopefully it will help people. It is a topic I feel is important to share. Thank you for reading.
Thank you for this. So many don’t ask for help, others are not taken seriously. It’s so sad, I personally know parents whose teenage children took their own lives.
It is so sad and tragic when teens do that
I didn’t watch the Oprah interview with Meghan, but it saddens me she sought help for her depression and was refused it. Too many people these days suffer from depression (with or without suicidal thoughts) and yet there’s still a stigma about it and mental illness in general. I too suffer with fibromyalgia and depression, have for over 20 years, and I would have succeeded in my suicide attempts if it wasn’t for the help I received. Depression (and chronic illnesses in which depression is a symptom) are important topics to increase awareness about — and maybe, one day, there’ll be no more stigma about it than there is about physical illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer. I’m thankful for her, and you, and others who are brave enough to share their stories in an attempt to break down that invisible barrier that says it’s not important or acceptable as an illness.
I am glad you got help
True. We all need someone or people we can talk to in such situations. It really helps. It’s a challenge to us to give a listening ear to another or other people too.
A listening can help a lot
God is available for all that ails us. Sometimes he leads us to medication & therapy & sometimes we just need to spend time on our knees in prayer! Trust Him to guide you to the solution that He has chosen for you!
Thanks for sharing Matt! People need to understand and know that there is hope, and they aren’t alone. Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you little sister
Stay another day…
One day at a time…
Thanks for sharing brother Matt. Bringing about awareness will help lead to understanding, patience and maybe even decrease the stigma attached to it.
Hugs….
Thank you little sister. Hugs 🙂
It’s so sad that there are so many people struggling with no help or support.
I recently read an excellent article about how God can help us when we’re struggling with suicidal thoughts – https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=502019178&srcid=share
Thanks for these reminders.