The first week of October was Mental Illness Awareness Week, a designation by Congress since 1990 in recognition of the ongoing work of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. To help bring more understanding of the seriousness of emotional challenges that many people face, the American Behavioral Clinics shared on their website that the number of U.S. adults suffering from "a diagnosable mental illness every year" exceeds 25% and that "45% of these diagnosable adults" could also have more than two mental health disorders. The website includes links where people can schedule an appointment for medical treatment. The month of October has also expanded to include bullying prevention, which teaches children how to stand up to those who try to intimidate them, and depression screening.

Depression rates are continuing to increase in the U.S. and now slightly exceed 18%, which is close to 48 million Americans, according to a September Gallup poll. The rising rates have been traced back to the COVID-19 pandemic. The September survey also found that lower-income and young adults are especially battling feelings of despair and hopelessness. Gallup reported that depression rates doubled for those under 30, from 13.% in 2017 to 26.7% in 2025, and households earning less than $24,000 a year saw a 13-point increase within the past eight years.

Much of my knowledge about mental health has come from what I have learned from my English composition students, who have written about how they have wrestled with anxiety due to peer pressure and bullying on social media. Depression and low self-esteem have been expressed by some of my female students who were very transparent in their essays about feelings of isolation from classmates while in high school. Many of my students have also shared what their families endured during COVID-19, which included financial hardship due to some of their parents losing jobs. Financial stress and insecurity are significant triggers for anxiety, and I believe many young people who have had similar experiences to those of my students are still grappling with fear, as they suffered great lack during the pandemic. Many have not fully recovered from these losses, which makes it easy to succumb to depression.

In reflecting more on how depression is adversely affecting people of all ages in our country, I thought about a popular saying I have seen on social media: "I must protect my peace." Many people feel that they must shield themselves from the heightened negativity they continue to see festering in our society. In a recent Newsweek interview, Dr. David Mischoulon, director of the Depression Clinical and Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, mentioned some of the most significant confrontational issues we are all observing now, which include an "increasingly polarized political environment" and "interpersonal conflict." Nothing threatens inner peace more than contentiousness, and the present political bickering is putting an additional financial and health care strain on many Americans who depend on government services that have been abruptly interrupted due to the shutdown. Watching much of the news has become mentally taxing for some and causes them to be overwhelmed. As I think about my own mental well-being and peace during these times, I have found myself leaning more on praying to God. I find comfort and strength in Isaiah 26:3, where God promises to keep us in "perfect peace" when our minds are "stayed on" Him. "Perfect" in the Hebrew translation in this verse means that we can rest in the Lord's care and be safe and prosperous. For me, warding off depression and anxiety so that I can remain mentally healthy and sound means abiding in that place of divine rest. Like so many, I have had my own personal bouts with depression, and I know that with it comes enormous emotional weight to carry. Through my faith, I know that I do not have to drag heavy burdens or fight hard on my own behalf as God lifts the load through Christ. When a situation looks bad and impossible to overcome, I have to trust God to guide me in handling it, which in turn protects my peace.

As October is almost over, I hope that those who need professional help will take advantage of the services offered on the American Behavioral Clinics' website. There is no shame in requesting assistance and care when needed. I also hope that many who will utilize these life-saving services will be encouraged to seek God for healing and trust Him for spiritual deliverance from the mental stranglehold of depression.

Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University's Lima campus. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on X: @JjSmojc. To find out more about Jessica Johnson and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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