Local church hosts discussion of mental health awareness with Johns Hopkins professor

Dr. Daniel Hale, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University led a discussion at the Westmont Presbyterian Church on congregational mental health awareness.

Dr. Hale spoke to Westmont, Trinity, and First Presbyterian Church members about understanding depression. Hale delivered his speech during the church service and hosted a discussion session afterwards. Church leaders say they hold similar mental health events each year.

“It is our mission to shed light on the need for us to break the silence of all these challenges that we have going around in our community,” said Reverend Bernard Nti.

Officials say hale helped the church get a grant of over $1000 from the O’Neill Foundation for Community Health. Hale says he was inspired to raise awareness after his church community helped him through a difficult period in his life.

Hale says, “In most churches [depression is] not discussed, and yet it’s still there. Depression knows no boundaries, so you could be a very religious person and still go through depression. You’re often reluctant to share what you’re experiencing and to get the help.”

Hale emphasized that depression is a serious but treatable condition. He says around 20% of adults experience depression at some point in their lifetime.

“So many of us feel like it is a problem that we have to fight individually rather than seeking the collective effort of professionals,” says Nti.

Church leaders say they’re planning to continue discussing mental health awareness in their congregation.

If you feel that you or a loved one is experiencing severe symptoms of depression, dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

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