Hello! I hope these resources are helpful to you.

1. A friend told me about this new documentary about the antidepressant epidemic in our country. Currently, 1 out of 5 Americans are taking antidepressants. The numbers may be much higher today due to the pandemic, especially in our youth. I hope to watch this documentary when it’s available on PBS. – https://medicatingnormal.com

For now, please watch this interview by their group. It was very informative for parents considering antidepressants for their children (basically anyone under 25 since brain develops until mid-20s). It is also very good information about the different kinds of therapy credentials. Since many more people are seeking mental health therapy, it is good to understand the key differences in their credentials and training. This mental health professional gives a very good summary for us, laypeople. – https://youtu.be/OKjEM6fF1x0

2. CDC released new data from the Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (ABES) highlighting the magnitude of the challenges our nation’s youth faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. CDC report on “What Works in Schools” is good information to look through too. Please pray about being active in your children’s schools in the new academic year by volunteering in the PTO or Township Committees or even running for BOE in order to fund programs that the kids in your school district can benefit from. The kids really, really need our prayers and active participation more than ever. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/abes.htm?fbclid=IwAR3LnSpXdEadn0hDhp7J8U1iyz4205OF1pJlCU8fRPZGvk_ZgYpwJq0if2g&mibextid=onnTyB&fs=e&s=cl

3. There were two times in my life where I encountered overwhelming depression. When I look back at those two very dark periods of my life, I am reminded of the “Footprints in the Sand” poem. God really carried me until I was able to walk on my own again. First time I was a teenager. I really could’ve benefited from good therapy sessions but my family did not have health insurance, and back in the 1990s mental health therapy was still new and emerging. Everyone was expected to just stuff down and repress any crippling emotions and carry on. And somehow, time does give the ability for the mind to reset itself to continue living and even find contentment again. Plus, I developed coping skills and strategies (good and bad ones) that I still use today. I am learning to let go of the bad strategies. It is a process, so be patient with yourself when God asks you to let go of the bad learned-crutches.    

In today’s world, I don’t think allowing time to pass and reset your mind is possible since there are too many dark areas in the World Wide Web that show very desperate and hurting people how to end or relieve their pain in harmful ways. I am so thankful that I didn’t have these resources in my dark state of mind as a teenager. It would’ve been very dangerous and perhaps life-ending for me. So please be very careful and prayerful when you or your family members are facing deep depression. Seek counseling help as soon as possible, and do not be shy about asking for prayers from good Christian friends and ministries groups. 

That’s what I did when this dark spirit of depression came upon me out of nowhere 12 years ago. I was in great panic too since I was raising two young children. I was very fearful of what I’d do, remembering how dark and dangerous this mood is. I didn’t have the luxury of space and time like I had as a teenager. (It took about two years when I was a teenager. And I was coping alone – without therapy, church or God in my life. But like I shared earlier, I now see that God carried me.)

Long story short when depression came upon me 12 years ago, I recognized it after a while that it was the same dangerous spirit from my teen years, and so I was taking the steps to seek a psychiatrist to get myself on antidepressants. I needed a quick fix ASAP. At the time, Howard was using a business coach who was also very spiritually-minded. Howard gave me his sessions since he was very concerned about me. This business coach, Steve isn’t a Christian but God did use him. Steve told me to pursue my Christianity again before trying antidepressants. He told me about Joel Osteen’s ministry. Pastor Joel Osteen’s sermons are exactly what I needed to hear at that time since I was a prodigal daughter considering coming back home to God and His church. Well, the rest is history. 

Now I’ve developed even better coping skills and strategies when sadness lingers. I can get very depressed when I look within myself or the world situation too much. Fortunately, it doesn’t last too long since I find great relief and even hope when I pray my concerns and requests to God through Jesus Christ. Church community groups are a lifesaver too. Please pray about going back to your local church community and even volunteering more in your church or community centers if you are sad and depressed. There are so many good charity groups that need your help. Many medical studies and research show the health and mental benefits of volunteering regularly. Think of it as taking regular medicine for your soul. 

If you are currently taking antidepressants, please watch this documentary that I shared with you so you can be aware of the withdrawal symptoms which can be bizarre and severe especially if you have been on it for a while. Maybe even tell your doctor about this new documentary. Usually, doctors are so busy that it’s easy for them to miss new information. And unfortunately, I don’t think pharm companies are going to share these newer revelations with the doctors. Also ask good believers, your church pastors and leaders to pray for you too. Don’t be shy. And please let us not judge anyone who comes to us for prayer support, but let us love and pray for them. 

It has been very tough over the last two years and the world doesn’t seem to get any better. I’d imagine that there will be many more people on antidepressants. I hope this documentary helps you to think about the side effects and its withdrawals before taking them for yourself or your children. And if you want to wean off from antidepressants, please watch this documentary for your FYI and surround yourself with lots of prayer warriors too. 

I want to share with you that although I share many resources with you, and I may seem like a leader to you, I am a very weak and fragile leader, so please don’t expect too much from me. I will disappoint you. Perhaps see me more like a librarian, a helpful resource lady. If you need a leader for your life, please go to Jesus Christ.  He is our Great Shepherd and the only one who will never disappoint you and who will happily take you in as His beloved disciple. 

By the way, our prayer group has been praying for a revival since day one. When this happens in our area, it’ll be a game changer. There will be no worries about withdrawal symptoms from any drugs and addictions. Please pray for God’s revival in our church, country and the world. Until then, hang in there. Stay loyal to Jesus Christ. God loves us and will have mercy on us. The last documented revival in our country was in 1970s on the west coast. I want to experience a revival in my lifetime! Don’t you? Please keep on asking.

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
“Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You’d walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”

He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you.”