The Role of the Congregation
•Support
–Social
–
–Instrumental support (financial,
–physical needs, etc)
–
–Spiritual – coping resources
•
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Social support – listening, not pressuring, but accepting
Instrumental support – childcare, household help, financial needs met, etc
Givers of hope – the depressed individual may not be able to hope for themselves, but they may accept and lean on someone else’s hope
Advocates – help others understand depression. Fight for services if needed
Facilitators of Healing – help encourage counseling, make it easier to seek help.
Unconditional love and acceptance – just as they are.  Proverbs 25:20 says “Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.”  Don’t deny their pain or try to ignore it.