Religion and Depression in Asian Youth

No matter how often Religion and Depression in Asian Youtha topic that was blogged on 8Asians three years ago – is blogged about, written, or discussed, I’m not so sure we’ll come to a concrete, definitive conclusion. But that’s okay. I’ll pose the question here for discussion: Is religion really the cause of depression in Asian teens?

It breaks my heart each time I read a news article or a blog post about someone taking his/her own life. It saddens me to imagine the sadness, hopelessness and loneliness someone might have been going through as they made the heart-wrenching decision to end their own life.

Some studies are actually pointing to religion as being one of the causes of depression in Asian youth. And in some ways, I can understand why some would come to this conclusion. That said, I don’t think religion causes depression as much as I don’t think religion cures depression. When I was in high school, I struggled with bouts of depression. And even I had many thoughts about what it would be like to end my own life. (And those movies some public schools included in their curriculum about how bad suicide – among other things- was, only peeked my curiosity more.) And I actually became a Christian in high
school and got involved in a Christian church. And I remember several of my friends made fun of me for being religious. But Christianity as a religion isn’t what brought me out of my depression; it was what I gained as a Christian, a growing relationship with God and other believers who had someone perfect (Jesus) to hope in.

In some ways, I do wish there was a simple answer to what is causing so many young folks to be depressed, so much to the point of taking their own lives. Because if we had a simple answer of the cause, maybe we have the chance of coming up with a solution. But when there are so many different people, struggling with different things, and dealing with it in different ways, it’s hard to have a blanket solution and answer.

(Image credit: iccpastor)

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About jee

[NEW: View my profile on My 8Asians!] Jee has been a happy resident of the often too sunny So Cal since her family emigrated here from S. Korea in 1986. She enjoys all things food related, especially the eating part. She is a borderline introvert who loves adventures and spontaneity.
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