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It’s something else.

Had a stimulating discussion w/ the team @rooseveltcc about mental illness in the Northwest and how getting healthy becomes almost like a full-time job for those with mental illness. If I am candid enough I can say that I understand this, partially. I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety attacks since as early as 13, sitting in the middle school boys room hunched over, beset by some strange overwhelming, irrational sensation. Since then I would have 2 more major “episodes”, one in college and one post-college, which averages out to one every 4 years or so. The last time I had a depressive episode was

10 years ago, in the spring of 1999.

and believe me, I am thankful for this. Which is odd, because before I moved out to the northwest, everybody was warning me about the rain and how that would affect my mood. Strangely I found myself more depressed in the canyons of NY (C) than out in the rain-soaked trees of the Pacific NW. Go figure. Something clicked for me out here. And I wonder if I were ever to return to NY if the episodes would start again.

Anyway. I don’t think rain is the primary culprit in depression out here in the NW (although it doesn’t help the fact). One theory is that being nestled in the far top right corner of the US – it’s almost like people are running away from somethign when they move out here. the result is often aloneness and I’ve encountered too many people in my crisis work who are simply so alone. A partner dies and caput – alone in the NW – with the trees.

Now I’m wondering: how can the church less ostracize those with mental illness and build a healing community around these folks.

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