A Relentless Hope: Surviving the Storm of Teen Depression

by Gary E. Nelson

Depression and related illnesses threaten to wreck the lives of many teens and their families. Suicide driven by these illnesses is one of the top killers of these young people. How do teens become depressed? What does depression feel like? How can we identify it? What helps depressed teens? What hurts them? How do families cope with teen depression? In A Relentless Hope Gary Nelson uses his experience as a pastor and pastoral counselor to guide the reader through an exploration of these and many other questions about teen depression. Nelson has worked with many teens over the years offering help to those who find themselves confronted by this potentially devastating attacker. The author also uses the story of his own son's journey through depression to weave together insights into the spiritual, emotional, cognitive, biological, and relational dimensions of teen depression. Through careful analysis, candid self-revelation, practical advice, and even humor, this pastor, counselor, and father reminds us that God's light of healing can shine through the darkness of depression and offer hope. A Relentless Hope is written for teens, parents, teachers, pastors, and any who walk with the afflicted through this valley of the shadow of death."The voices of father, pastor, and counselor are all well represented by this writer. The personal and professional commitment of A Relentless Hope brings enormous credibility to its message. This book is a work of love about the power of love. And that, in itself, is healing."--Ruth Harper in Counseling Today, a publication of the American Counseling Association"Gary Nelson's conversational style wraps a deep understanding of depression and its treatment in a gripping first-person story of love casting out fear. All parents, and all who seek to help parents, would benefit from this book."--Doug Thorpe, Journeys, a publication of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors "I highly recommend this book and the insights it sheds on an illness that impacts so many of our young people and their families. A Relentless Hope offers a light to those that struggle with the storms and illnesses of today. It also provides much needed information for those suffering from depression, anxiety and its related mental health issues."—David E. McLean, United Methodist Endorsing Agency "Whether you are a youth struggling with depression, a family member of a depressed teen, or a pastor, counselor or teacher providing support and help in such circumstances, this book is a must read as the most informative and helpful volume available on the subject." --Merle R. Jordan, Professor of Pastoral Psychology Emeritus, Boston University School of TheologyGary E. Nelson, DMin, is a United Methodist minister who for thirty years has worked with teens and their families as a local church pastor and as a pastoral counselor. He currently pastors a church in West Virginia.

Genres: Nonfiction

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2007

Reviews

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teenagers are teenagers, aren't they? They are moody. They are always tired. They transform from happy well adjusted young adults to angry and lippy menaces in two seconds.

Not so, says the author of A Relentless Hope. He's seen a good number of these stereotypical teens in the families that he councils. He's also experienced it first hand with his own son.

To the outside world, the author's son Tom was the kid everyone wanted to have. He was a good student, an athlete, popular, polite, and just an all round nice guy. No one knew that Tom had to fight each morning to just get out of bed. That is, until his grades started slipping and his school absences began to outnumber his attendance days.

The culprit was clinical depression. Unfortunately, it's something that is all too common with teenagers. The really scary part is that what most of us take for granted as "just being a teenager" is actually the manifestation of this disease. So instead of getting the help they need, many teens turn to alcohol and drugs to self medicate.

[Michelle Stangarone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because my 17 year old daughter was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. It was so overwhelming, scary, and sad to see her like that. This book really helped me to put things into perspective. The author shares his journey of coping with his son's depression. He explains that once he and his wife were able to surrender their fears about their son to God they were in a much better position to help and support him. It was after reading this that I realized that I needed to so just that, and it has made all of the difference in my own journey with my daughter. I would highly recommend this to anyone with a young family member struggling with depression and anxiety.

[Kathy Maxey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Support, insights for surviving teen depression. Love your teen through their dark times, trusting that they will become healthy again. Don't be afraid to think outside the box of what you thought your family, child raising practices would look like. Perhaps some less traditional methods may work, ie changing schools, finishing high school at a community college, or getting a GED, online school, etc. Be patient and flexible, adapt to your teens feelings at the moment. Mostly just keep loving your teen through it all and try to accept/meet them where they are.

[NiaDwyn— · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started this book, I thought it would be too cheesy and simplified for my taste. As I got into the flow of the book, I was moved by the honesty and universality of the author's story-- it went deeper than I thought it would. At its heart, it's a tender account of one parent's struggle to love his teenage son through the depths of his son's depression. Weaving in insights on family dynamics and reflections on teachings from the Christian faith, the result is an approachable and useful resource.

[Fastmaren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for parents with a depressed teenager. Author is a pastor counselor with a son who went through years of very deep depression.