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unJoy: Hope and Help for 7 Million Christians with Depression
You can become fully free from depression.
Depression is real. It’s not your fault if you have it, but it is your responsibility to do something effective about it. Although depression is often stigmatized or ignored, Christians commonly experience it.
While it can sometimes feel like there are no solutions and that you can never escape depression, that isn’t true. In this easy-to-read book, Dr. Len Lantz addresses aspects of faith and mood while providing real answers about what works for depression and why.
In unJoy, Dr. Lantz shares engaging stories, common-sense reasoning, research-proven treatments, entertaining cartoons, and biblical encouragement for Christians struggling with “unJoy” and for their loved ones. There is hope and help for depression!
Depression is real. It’s not your fault if you have it, but it is your responsibility to do something effective about it. Although depression is often stigmatized or ignored, Christians commonly experience it.
While it can sometimes feel like there are no solutions and that you can never escape depression, that isn’t true. In this easy-to-read book, Dr. Len Lantz addresses aspects of faith and mood while providing real answers about what works for depression and why.
In unJoy, Dr. Lantz shares engaging stories, common-sense reasoning, research-proven treatments, entertaining cartoons, and biblical encouragement for Christians struggling with “unJoy” and for their loved ones. There is hope and help for depression!
204 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2022
8 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 24, 2022
There are seven million Christians with Depression, and that's just in America. In this book, Len Lantz, a psychiatrist and Christian, provides resources for Christians to break the stigma of seeking out help for mental health issues.
This is a helpful, well-thought-out resource that not only explains to Christians why medication and counseling are sometimes necessary, but also provides tools for anyone to deal with depression. There is also a section for family members and friends who have loved ones who are suffering from mental illness.
Lantz provides both medical and spiritual advice in this book, which intersperses scripture with medical facts. He reminds us that God sends help in a lot of ways, including doctors and medication.
The author warns us upfront that the illustrations are bad, and they are so bad that they are actually endearing and effective.
I received a free copy of this book. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
This is a helpful, well-thought-out resource that not only explains to Christians why medication and counseling are sometimes necessary, but also provides tools for anyone to deal with depression. There is also a section for family members and friends who have loved ones who are suffering from mental illness.
Lantz provides both medical and spiritual advice in this book, which intersperses scripture with medical facts. He reminds us that God sends help in a lot of ways, including doctors and medication.
The author warns us upfront that the illustrations are bad, and they are so bad that they are actually endearing and effective.
I received a free copy of this book. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
September 17, 2023
The rare Christian author with practical advice for mental illness beyond prayer and exercise (though those are mentioned too!). The author includes lots of silly stick figure illustrations which help break up the heavy info into something lighter and conceptual. I genuinely learned new concepts in this book (including behavioral activation, COW therapists, DBT for suicidal ideation and ketamine spray as treatment). This book doesn’t dig deep and therefore doesn’t feel overwhelming while still offering a plethora of practical strategies for depression. Read and reviewed as someone looking to support loved ones with depression.
October 24, 2022
Excellent at taking away the stigma of being a Christian who has depression. Logical, friendly, and easy-to-read with a ton of strategies, options and helps to manage depression. Highly recommend. [The only stab is the ethno-centricity that this is hope for 7 million Christians - what about the rest of the world?! I live in Australia.]
December 21, 2022
In the US there are apparently 7 million Christians with depression, so no doubt there are proportionally similarly large numbers across other countries. Depression is a condition that we have all encountered, whether personally or in those we love, for a season or a long-term battle.
When coupled with a faith that by its very nature encourages joy, or in fact expects it as an inherent fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the stigma of depression amongst Christians can be huge, even adding to the depth of suffering.
Len Lantz is clearly an expert physician specialising in treating people with depression, as well as being a man of faith who can address that angle too.
His advice is balanced, sensible and applicable, outlining the many practical steps to be taken in addressing the challenges of depression, whether the sufferer is a believer or not. It should also be welcome advice and support for the many Christians who suffer with depression.
The book includes many Biblical pointers, and is entirely wrapped in love, care and a desire to see everyone healed ... it has a sound Christian attitude towards dealing with the problems, whether that solution comes from medical or spiritual support ... ideally both.
There is also a reassuringly honest thread acknowledging that a sufferer of depression may also experience a stagnation or even a crisis of faith. At the very least faith becomes more of a struggle. Sufferers are encouraged to persist, as faith can be a great source of strength. It is also an area of life where others can step into the breach and advocate, until the sufferer is ready to pick it up again for themselves.
Most of all, the book highlights the need for all sufferers to not be ashamed. There is no failure, having depression does not make you any less of a believer.
It is a really helpful read to equip us properly to deal with the issues and most of all to not suffer alone. Seek help.
Read the full review at https://www.robseabrook.com/unjoy-len...
When coupled with a faith that by its very nature encourages joy, or in fact expects it as an inherent fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the stigma of depression amongst Christians can be huge, even adding to the depth of suffering.
Len Lantz is clearly an expert physician specialising in treating people with depression, as well as being a man of faith who can address that angle too.
His advice is balanced, sensible and applicable, outlining the many practical steps to be taken in addressing the challenges of depression, whether the sufferer is a believer or not. It should also be welcome advice and support for the many Christians who suffer with depression.
The book includes many Biblical pointers, and is entirely wrapped in love, care and a desire to see everyone healed ... it has a sound Christian attitude towards dealing with the problems, whether that solution comes from medical or spiritual support ... ideally both.
There is also a reassuringly honest thread acknowledging that a sufferer of depression may also experience a stagnation or even a crisis of faith. At the very least faith becomes more of a struggle. Sufferers are encouraged to persist, as faith can be a great source of strength. It is also an area of life where others can step into the breach and advocate, until the sufferer is ready to pick it up again for themselves.
Most of all, the book highlights the need for all sufferers to not be ashamed. There is no failure, having depression does not make you any less of a believer.
It is a really helpful read to equip us properly to deal with the issues and most of all to not suffer alone. Seek help.
Read the full review at https://www.robseabrook.com/unjoy-len...
February 1, 2023
This is a review of the book UnJoy by Dr. Len Lantz MD. I received a review copy courtesy of Dr. Lantz and Interviews & Reviews.
First, I should let you know my review, though not from a professional, does come from one who has experienced significant depression for most of my life. I am serious about promoting the Gospel of God's grace and getting/staying well mentally.
This is a review from the trenches, written for people like me who battle this illness and those who support us. UnJoy was written to be practical and I greatly appreciate its insights, only wishing I'd had them over a decade ago when I'd started my own professional treatment.
Dr. Lantz is himself a Christian and a psychiatrist so his insights have the benefit of a viewpoint balancing multiple treatment options with Christian spiritual concerns. UnJoy was written to give hope to Christians suffering under not only the weight of depression but the uber-spiritual stigmas that keep us stuck and shamed. Many of us have heard the voice of Job's friends telling us that if we only had more faith or dealt with some sin we wouldn't suffer. Voices that tell us that receiving treatments like medication or therapy is somehow wrong. I appreciate Dr. Lantz addressing such concerns.
While not everything in UnJoy is new to me, I believe it would benefit one new to psychiatric care and ease the same struggle I experienced of an overly cautious perspective. I am giving UnJoy five stars due to the fact that the same treatments it recommends work for me on a daily basis.
I should also offer Dr. Lantz my apologies as this review was due some time ago but, as I've said my review is from the trenches–since receiving my copy I was evicted from my housing and have been managing my spiritual and mental health from a homeless shelter. My opinion is my own.
First, I should let you know my review, though not from a professional, does come from one who has experienced significant depression for most of my life. I am serious about promoting the Gospel of God's grace and getting/staying well mentally.
This is a review from the trenches, written for people like me who battle this illness and those who support us. UnJoy was written to be practical and I greatly appreciate its insights, only wishing I'd had them over a decade ago when I'd started my own professional treatment.
Dr. Lantz is himself a Christian and a psychiatrist so his insights have the benefit of a viewpoint balancing multiple treatment options with Christian spiritual concerns. UnJoy was written to give hope to Christians suffering under not only the weight of depression but the uber-spiritual stigmas that keep us stuck and shamed. Many of us have heard the voice of Job's friends telling us that if we only had more faith or dealt with some sin we wouldn't suffer. Voices that tell us that receiving treatments like medication or therapy is somehow wrong. I appreciate Dr. Lantz addressing such concerns.
While not everything in UnJoy is new to me, I believe it would benefit one new to psychiatric care and ease the same struggle I experienced of an overly cautious perspective. I am giving UnJoy five stars due to the fact that the same treatments it recommends work for me on a daily basis.
I should also offer Dr. Lantz my apologies as this review was due some time ago but, as I've said my review is from the trenches–since receiving my copy I was evicted from my housing and have been managing my spiritual and mental health from a homeless shelter. My opinion is my own.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews