Testimonials
By reading about others who have reached out and found support, ASW hopes to inspire you to learn more about mental health and encourage you to seek help if you're struggling.
There are many reasons why we hesitate to reach out when we're hurting or struggling. Some of these include:
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Stigma/Shame - What will he/she think of me? I can't share that I am struggling.
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Fear - Will I have to take medication?
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Pride - I can handle this on my own. I don't need anyone's help.
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Access - I don't know where to get help.
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Time - I don't have time to go to counseling. I would have to drive to far.
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Financial - I cannot afford counseling. I don't have insurance. Even with insurance, I cannot afford counseling.
At ASW, our goal is to build and strengthen connections, help people find the resources they need, and challenge the myths and stigma that prevent people from seeking mental health support.
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A Pastor's Story
As a pastor, I always felt a deep sense of responsibility to care for others, but over time, I found myself struggling with an overwhelming sense of isolation and despair. The weight of ministry, combined with the pressures of leadership, slowly began to take a toll on my mental and emotional well-being. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't shake the constant feelings of exhaustion, hopelessness, and loneliness. I had become numb to the joy of serving, and I felt as though I was sinking deeper into a well of depression.
For a long time, I convinced myself that I needed to power through, that asking for help would be a sign of weakness. But the truth was, I was spiritually and mentally depleted, and I knew I couldn't continue like this. That’s when I decided to seek counseling.
At first, it was difficult to open up and confront the pain I had been suppressing for so long. But through the grace of God and the wisdom of a skilled counselor, I began to understand the root causes of my depression and how to work through them. I learned to embrace vulnerability, accept help, and trust that healing was possible. Over time, I was able to break free from the heavy grip of depression.
The transformation in my life has been nothing short of miraculous. I’ve rediscovered a sense of purpose, joy, and energy in my ministry. My relationships with the people in my church have deepened, and my own personal walk with God has become more authentic and vibrant. I now recognize that taking care of my mental and emotional health is just as important as nurturing my spiritual life.
I am forever grateful for the decision to pursue counseling. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary, and it has allowed me to live in the freedom and vitality that God intends for all of us. Today, I am not only free from depression, but I am also experiencing a renewed sense of calling, and I am seeing a greater impact in my life and in the life of my church. God has restored me, and I’m living proof that healing and wholeness are possible, even for those of us who serve in ministry. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness - it’s a sign of wisdom. ~ Pastor, Keith Baldridge
