W. Daniel Hale

The need for churches and other faith communities to reach out and care for those suffering with depression has never been greater. Depression is now recognized as one of our most serious public health concerns. Each year more than ten percent of American adults experience a major depressive episode, and more than twenty percent will experience at least one episode over their lifetime. Furthermore, we know that depression is the major risk factor for suicide, now the second leading cause of death in the 10 - 34 year old age group and the fourth leading cause of death among adults ages 35 - 54. We also know that depression is a significant risk factor for substance abuse, another of our most serious health concerns. While we might want to believe that our religious faith can protect us from depression and suicide, we know that's not true. We have heard too many stories of religious leaders and members of deeply religious families who have suffered from depression and taken their own lives. We need to recognize that no group is exempt from this terrible illness. Depression is found among the young and old, the religious and nonreligious, and all ethnic and racial groups. In Depression - Out of the Darkness and Into the Light, Dan Hale, a psychologist and national leader in health ministries, draws on his own his own struggles with depression, his work as a psychotherapist, and his experiences as a father who lost a daughter to depression, to offer guidance for individuals and families impacted by depression and for congregations that recognize the importance of ministering to those suffering from this terrible illness.

How can religious and health care organizations work together to create community-based health care programs? Because health care works best when patients assume greater responsibility for their own health, community outreach and patient education are essential. But where can health care organizations find the resources to educate large numbers of people about chronic diseases? How can they tailor programs to meet the needs of increasingly diverse communities? And how can they reach people who have no ties to the health care system? Building Healthy Communities through Medical-Religious Partnerships presents an innovative approach to community-based health education and patient advocacy programs targeted at the prevention and management of disease. Offering valuable guidance for religious and medical leaders interested in developing programs in their congregations and communities, the book includes practical and accessible information for establishing health education programs, identifies additional resources that can be obtained from local and national organizations, and discusses a range of medical topics. It also outlines how to train volunteers to assist others in navigating our complex health system. This latest edition, which has been thoroughly revised and updated, incorporates• new chapters on medical topics across the lifespan, including lung disease, kidney disease, and child and adolescent health issues;• a thorough assessment of medical-religious partnerships that have emerged over the past twenty-five years; and• a user-friendly website with downloadable resources—including an instructor's guide, PowerPoint slides, and ready-made handouts.

As healthcare leaders widely recognize, churches are second homes to their members and ideally situated to serve their communities with the loving and personal care that a stressed healthcare system cannot deliver. Daniel Hale and Harold Koenig, national leaders in health ministries, offer a primer on developing a variety of initiatives.