Mental Health Check-in by Kristen Drumgoole

Dear 2BC friends,

How are you? I miss you. It’s been many, many days since I’ve seen your faces and worshiped with you. And while my little family is committed to sheltering in place and social distancing for as long as it takes, I look forward with joy to the day when we get to be together again.

So I’ll ask again, with intentionality: How are you? These have been trying days for many, on various levels. Our collective psyche is tired and frayed at best. For me, quarantine life has dovetailed with postpartum life in a way that has thrown me for a loop. Don’t get me wrong—I am completely in love with my baby. Langston is a sweet, happy kid who gurgles and coos and squawks in a way that has me totally enamored. But the lack of sleep, combined with crashing hormones and rarely having any reason to leave the house, has been a little crazy-making at times. And although it’s statistically unlikely that you’re dealing with postpartum life, I think it’s fair to assume that I’m not the only one with some mental health challenges in these strange days.

If you’re there too, I want to say to you—you’re not alone. Feeling isolated, anxious, or depressed is normal and unsurprising, and nothing to be ashamed of. And it certainly doesn’t make you a lesser Christian. Strong faith and mental health challenges are not mutually exclusive. Reach out to someone—a family member, friend, or church leader—and let them know you’re struggling. Or perhaps call your doctor or a trained therapist. Prayer and Scripture can be effective counterweights against anxiety and depression; so can therapy and medication. Support is available, if you ask for it.

These days, I find myself turning to prayer, worship music, and mindful breathing when I need some peace. I’m also working with my doctor and have begun meeting with a therapist. Thanks be to God for all of these resources, and the healing and hope that God offers through each. If you’re struggling, I hope you will reach out for support. Help is available to you if you ask. Peace be with you, friends.