Argumentative Essay

Have you ever watched a movie with a plot so terrifying that you couldn't shake the eerie feeling? Or have you ever experienced a nightmare so disturbing that you were relieved to wake up? The Covid-19 worldwide pandemic became the terrifying movie people couldn't turn off and the nightmare people couldn't wake up from in the morning. Businesses closed, schools shut down and empty streets confronted people. The new “normal” became face masks and staying home. Staying home led to being alone, which ultimately led to being lonely. All of these factors culminated into a different pandemic. A depression pandemic. Shut off from the world and shut out of social engagements created depression in thousands of people worldwide. Many became desperate, seeking the solution to their problems. Experts around the world shared their knowledge and research, while those struggling with feelings of depression eagerly absorbed their advice. Reflecting back on the pandemic and the contributing factors leading to depression in thousands of people, it is evident what is vital in combating depression. Depression caused by the Covid-19 pandemic can be reversed by seeking Christ, seeking counsel, and returning to face-to-face interactions.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), during the Covid-19 pandemic there has been a 25% increase in depression and anxiety (World Health Organization, 2023). Past abuse, relationships, stress, etc are many contributing factors in depression. However, the reason for the increase in depression rates during Covid-19 is due to the forced isolations from lockdowns meaning there was only a finite number of actions we can do in our homes. These actions would lead to absurdity and unfulfilled lives. In Isaiah 9:6 Jesus is referred to as the Prince of Peace (New American Standard Bible, Isaiah 9.6). Also in Isaiah 26:3 God says that when the mind is focused on Him, peace will be the result (New American Standard Bible, Isaiah 26.3). This shows that no matter how uncertain the world becomes, no matter the situation people face, God brings peace to the mind and resolves depression that begins to set. Lastly in John 16:33 Jesus states, “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (New American Standard Bible, John 16.33). In order for people to have peace of mind, free from feelings of depression, turning to Christ resolves it. You will have peace in Christ solving the depression in the pandemic.

Cognitive-behavior therapy or more commonly known as therapy, has long since been recognized as an effective treatment for depression. An article was published reviewing 444 studies examining religious and spiritual therapy and depression (Bonelli). The article concluded using religious and spiritual therapy had a reduction in depression and faster remission in depression. Using studies with more of a rigorous method, 67% of those studies showed an inverse relationship between religious and spiritual therapy and depression (Bonelli). The authors of this study concluded “religious beliefs and practices may help people to cope better with stressful life circumstances, give meaning and hope, and surround depressed persons with a supportive community” (Bonelli). With Covid-19 lockdowns, the supportive community was put on hold, which in turn, increased depression in individuals. However, the authors found depending on the religion, depression can increase due to the high standards (Bonelli). Christianity is based on faith and not works relieving the Christians from having to live to a high moral standard in order to be loved by God. God already demonstrated his love for us by dying for us while we were still sinners. Under the new covenant, all our sins are forgiven and we do not have to live to a perfect standard to be forgiven and loved by God. These studies have concluded, seeking counsel, specifically religious and spiritual counsel, is an effective method is alleviating depression.

Research has shown that a lack of face-to-face interactions can be another contributing factor to depression. According to an article written by Psychology Today, seeking more face-to-face interactions has shown to reduce the risk of depression (Burgland). Psychology Today wrote an article published by the American Geriatrics Society which states, “The researchers found that having limited face-to-face social contact nearly doubles someone’s risk of having depression.” (Burgland). During the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, people were forced to limit their interactions with others face-to-face and find ways to work, communicate and even socialize virtually. Many different apps and programs were utilized to assist people to be together virtually and closely mimic face-to-face interactions, but what research and many people later discovered is that a lack of true and authentic face-to-face interactions cannot be replaced and is vital to mental health. Alex Morris wrote an article, The Price of Isolation and complies various experts and research explaining the link between face-to-face interactions and mental health. He quotes Aristotle saying, “Man is by nature a “social animal.” (Morris) Morris also includes a 2015 study conducted by Mathew Lieberman who is the founder of the field of social cognitive neuroscience. Lieberman’s studies finds that the human brain has a default called the “social brain.” (Morris). He also adds, “We are literally wired such that, when other distractions fall away, our brain automatically switches to a mode that’s more social in nature.” (Morris). Humans are social by nature and when this element is removed, people begin to experience feelings of depression. People have substituted virtual meetings for social interaction and engagement, but as the pandemic began to subside, schools and businesses started to reopen, people found themselves once again seeing each other face-to face and having a more authentic interaction. The more we return to face-to-face interactions, the more we will see our brains return back to our normal social state and depression begin to subside. God reminds us in Hebrews 10:25 to not give up meeting and gathering together, but to encourage one another. Social distancing kept people from meeting and gathering together (New American Standard Bible, Hebrews 10.25). People tried to encourage each other during those uncertain and scary days, but without seeing each in person and with the lack of physical contact, people felt lonely, depressed and discouraged, contributing to depression. Gathering together, whether at school, returning to work or meeting together at church, all these have been shown to alleviate depression.

It is evident that the Covid-19 virus created more than one pandemic. A depression pandemic occurred in people around the world. People craved peace and comfort in the covid pandemic of 2019, but being shut off from the world, depression increased and people became anxious, not sure what to do. Experts, research and studies have all shown that when people lean on Christ, seek religious based therapy and gather with Christ-minded people, you will have peace and find a solution to depression.