Exactly, I was raised RC, but I am Agnostic now, I know about mental illness, I worked in the field. Its not a choice, its physiological, prayer won't do anything. Treatment, medication and counseling is what is needed. There are lots of great success stories in the world of mental illness. Its fine to have faith, but, a good Psychologist and the right medications and counseling works.
Many things can drive a person there including ill health, abuse as a child and/or adult, loss of a loved one, loss of family through divorce, and yes even well meaning preachers can drive a person to it by putting GOD out of the hurting persons reach with religious rigity. They'll say Brother Billy you are healed.If brother Billy then is still depressed then some will say Oh Well Brother Billy's lack of faith is why. As one former Freeper used to say, Horse Hillary!
I have known two persons who did it both were very seriously ill. I know another who almost tried it {was caught by the abuser actually} and that person loves The Lord more then about anyone I know. That person is free of the abuser but will never be free of bouts of depression. A circumstance at that time made the person feel there was no other way out. The person years later got a wonderful therapist but still has depression. I don't think many posters in here could walk in that persons shoes and endure the life that person has without some very serious emotional issues happening.
I've spent a lot of time in therapy myself as in over 5 years. PTSD compounded with G.A.D. can do quite a number. I was lucky. I got depressed but never to the point of thinking about ending my life. I did have trouble with Meds though because I had something causing my G.A.D. the doctors weren't catching and it made taking antidepressants impossible.
I'm a Christian by The Grace of GOD. But I do not buy into any notion that once you accept Christ your life is all sweet and happy followed by everything goes right. It means to me that Christ is there. He's there in the good and the bad and I've seen a lot of both. I've seen enough prayers answered I've prayed for answers when medical science had no answers to know GOD answers them.
At one point in my life I went through more emotional trauma in six months then many persons go through in ten years or maybe their life. I've been so mind numbed at one point I didn't care if I got hit by a truck as in no feeling for anyone anymore. It wasn't my own doing that got me through it. I give GOD the credit. A hopeless situation changed into a life direction change which was a very positive one despite the pain.
The human brain chemistry under duress can distort many problems and make them look like there is no resolution. That monster likes to work on a person when they are tired both physically and mentally.
I see the medicines and treatments available today as miracles in themselves. Depression for many means life long treatment by those who understand how it actually works. Sometimes I think one of the best therapies for ourselves Christ Himself practiced which is stepping out of our daily lives and seeking a place of mental and physical rest as He did.
My dear friend had a son that was depressed and suicidal and she was terrified and all he could say to her was You don't understand. I could sit in their kitchen and talk with him for hours as I did understand where he was because I was once there. He is in his 50’s now but was in his 20’s when he had clinical depression...One that has been there KNOWS what it is like and it can be overcome with proper treatment.. :O) there is always hope.
“There are lots of great success stories in the world of mental illness. Its fine to have faith, but, a good Psychologist and the right medications and counseling works.”
If a person is experiencing true despair then there is nothing in the world that can treat it. The “success stories” you mention are just otherwise normal/stable people with a chemical imbalance.
The worst cases are a death sentence.