Thank you to those who came out to my book signing on Tuesday night! It was a joy to see so many faces there (just over 100 folks were there) and to share this work.
I know the statistics: Each year, approximately 25 million adults will experience depression in their lifetime in the US.. 350 million people regardless of age experience depression globally. Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide.
But to see the faces of depression and those affected by it, as I did as people stood in line to have books signed, hurt me to my core.
Tears fell from the eyes of a woman who was battling depression now for the past 4 years..
A gentleman, now a counselor, shared his own recovery/discovery journey.
A saddened mother shared that depression had taken her son’s life two years prior.
When a woman shared that she comes from a family of physicians who ‘don’t believe in depression”, triggered my greatest discovery of the evening. She asked if I could share some of my work in Schools of Medicine.
The day before the book signing, I got official confirmation I had been appointed Adjunct Assistant Professor at Emory University School of Medicine’s department of Psychiatry. And I’ve been invited to give a Grand Rounds Lecture to the entire Medical School.
I am more clear than ever what I need to say. It’s time for a new song. A new story. A new perspective. New work to be done.
The Lord set my foot on a rock and put a new song in my mouth. (Psalm 40)
Here I am Lord, send me. (Isaiah 6)