By Will Story
Guest Writer
On April 7, Saddleback Church was rocked by the death of one of its own. Matthew Warren, son of author and lead pastor Rick Warren, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Matthew Warren suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts.
I was shocked by his sudden death. People were forced to question why someone, especially the son of a megachurch pastor, would do something as drastic as choosing to end his own life.
Deaths related to mood disorders and mental illnesses are increasing, and the results are becoming staggering.
The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 1 million people commit suicide every year. WHO also states suicide is among the three leading causes of death in people ages 15 to 44 and is the second leading cause of death in those 10 to 24 years old.
Warren’s death resonated with me for one reason: his struggles are my struggles.
I struggle with depression. I can understand to an extent the things he dealt with, because we both have probably dealt with many of the same issues.
My issues with depression began in middle school, and they continue. My depression is not a constant dark cloud but rather a wave, ebbing and flowing in different phases. I can feel normal, but the depression returns suddenly and stays for weeks or months at a time.
If there could be any encouragement from Warren’s death, it could be the conversations that will now come up about mental illnesses and mood disorders.
As someone who struggles with depression, I strive to continue these types of conversations, which encourage learning and understanding of a subject that is still taboo in most settings.
All my life, I have been around the Church, which is a place I still think mental illness is the most taboo. After trying to deal with a mental illnesses alone, I can honestly say that I came away frustrated many times.
I often found a wall of judgment and misunderstanding from the same place stating they offer love and community. The first thing the Church can do is to stop hiding mental illnesses and mood disorders.
The inability to understand a struggle oftentimes leads to never talking about it again, or pretending like it is not actually happening. I found this a lot of times when I tried to explain my depression.
But pretending mental illnesses and mood disorders do not exist is dangerous, because the fact is that both exist and are not going away.
It is time we changed our inability to talk about it and began to minister to those struggling with these disorders.
The Church must also find a way to help those suffering with mental illnesses and mood disorders feel safe. The Church should be a place where those struggling can find the grace and love Christ talks about.
Many people, including myself, dealing with depression or any type of mental illness can sometimes connect shame with their illness. But extensions of grace and love are expected from the Church, regardless of the person or struggle.
Stories like Warren’s are important to share because it sheds light on the reason for awareness, and these stories begin an important conversation.
Selfishly, I used to tell my story for pity. Now, I share it because it gives me purpose.
It helps to fight the stigma and to fight ignorance against mental illness and mood disorders, hopefully creating an environment full of grace, love and safety.
