Depression Support Group Meets Weekly at Hanover Hospital

Individuals who are coping with depression are invited to participate in the Depression Support Group, which takes place every Tuesday evening from 7 – 8 p.m. in the Hanover Hospital Chapel.

The group moderator, Hanover Hospital Chaplain Eric Stenman, was the originator of the idea to create a support group for individuals with depression or bipolar disorder.  According to Pastor Stenman, a clinical diagnosis of depression is not required, and members determine their own level of participation.

Meetings are held in the Chapel, which is conveniently located on the first floor of the main hospital building.  The Chapel’s non-sectarian, living room-like atmosphere provides a relaxed setting for the group, said Stenman.  As moderator, he helps the group to interact and share.  An ordained minister, Stenman stated that he does no pastoral counseling during the group meetings, though he feels his skills as a pastor help to facilitate such a group.  “The support group offers supportive fellowship which can be therapeutic for individuals who know personally just how serious depression can be,” he said. Participants will typically talk about the day’s happenings, and the recurring theme – how depression changes, and the need to “keep an eye on it” and address the issues.

He also noted that the support group is not meant to replace medical treatment such as medicines and psychotherapy, but it is one of the key components that can facilitate treatment. “And it is free of charge,” said Stenman. 

Depression can provoke “life or death” thinking and actions, including suicide.  In fact, according to Stenman, every member in the room has had thoughts of suicide at one point.  “There are a lot of [metaphorical] ‘elephants’ in such a small room,” he said, with the ‘elephants’ being ongoing issues including medications, thoughts of suicide, and interactions with family members, friends and co-workers who do not understand depression. “The difference is,” he said, “we talk about our elephants!”

According to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), it’s important to remember that depression is an illness that affects both the body and mind.  It is not

Something that we can just wish away or “snap out of,” nor is it a sign of a weak character.  The good news about depression is that almost everyone suffering from this condition can be helped with treatment, so it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms:

• persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
• feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
• feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
• loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
• decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”
• difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
• appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
• thoughts of  death or suicide; suicide attempts
• restlessness, irritability
• persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

Once a month, the Depression Support Group features Reiki meditation.  Defined as neither a religion nor medicine, Reiki can be very helpful in relieving stress, and provides a means to recharge, realign and rebalance energy flow, promoting the natural healing process.

For more information about the Depression Support Group, please contact Pastor Stenman, at (717) 646-6905.