A Relentless Hope: Surviving the Storm of Teen Depression
by Gary E. Nelson
Published by Cascade Books
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Reviewed by Rev. Alex McGilvery
A Relentless Hope is a thin, very readable book that takes on the issue of teen depression.
Gary Nelson makes a convincing argument that depression is the leading killer of teens. The challenge with addressing depression is that is shows up differently in each person it attacks. Nelson takes some time just to talk about what depression is, and the various faces that it wears. He makes the very important point that depression is a disease and not a weakness in the individual, and points out that depression often runs in families.
The book is also the story of Nelson’s son’s journey through depression. The author talks honestly about his fears and feeling of helplessness. As a counselor he learned that his own experience gave him added credibility to people who are sharing his struggles. The book is filled with vignettes from Tom’s (Gary’s son) and others’ lives. The chapters are short enough to be read in a sitting, and are filled with small, concrete things that the reader can try in their own situation.
While the book is explicitly Christian in outlook (Gary Nelson was a pastor before becoming a counselor, it speaks to people of other faiths as well. He talks about how children learn their faith, and the importance of spirituality in the life of a depressed teen. The observations are about how the community can support the teen and their family in their journey. He also directs some specific comments to the Christian community that sadly sees depression as the result of lack of faith in God.
The title of this book says it all. A Relentless Hope brings hope to people who are experiencing the hardest, darkest time of their lives. It gives hope to the parents and the teens that life is possible, even in the worst depression. I will keep this book on my shelf and loan out whenever possible.
Armchair Interviews says: Important look at a challenge too many face.