Course offers tools to deal with depression

A study by the Institute of Psychology at the State University of Rio de Janeiro showed that cases of depression almost doubled after the quarantine regulations and social isolation went into effect due to COVID-19. The numbers jumped from 4.2 percent of the diagnosed population to 8 percent.

According to Alberto Filgueiras, research coordinator, in an interview with CNN Brasil, this disease has multifactorial causes, ranging from hormonal and genetic issues to social and relationship situations. 

Because of this, the Adventist church has started a course with 16 lessons online, posted every Monday, called How to Overcome Depression. The lessons are taught by doctors and theologians discussing the balance between science and religion, offering tools to deal with the situations of everyday life. The first lesson was shown on September 28.

“The relationship between emotions, mental balance, and spirituality are very close,” says Dr. Roger Gusmão, course organizer and director of Health Ministries for eight countries of South America. “That will become increasingly clear as the studies progress."

Gusmão also points out that almost everyone around the globe has seen their health and emotional well-being affected by the pandemic. “Everyone, in some way, deprived themselves of social contact and engagement with others, and these unmet social needs have profoundly affected their mind and emotions,” he points out.

Classes will air every Monday at 8 pm on the Adventist Church’s Facebook and YouTube channels. The initiative is part of the content promoted by the Quero Vida e Saúde (I Want Life & Health) website, which offers articles and videos on well-being and quality of life.

You can read the original story here