Founder of #1 Facility in the United States for the Treatment of Depression Urges Awareness, Says Treatment Saves and Restores Lives

EDMONDS, Wash., Aug. 12, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- Dr. Gregory Jantz, Founder of The Center, A Place of HOPE in Edmonds, Washington, addressed Robin Williams' tragic death by urging awareness of the availability of effective treatment programs for depression.


"Robin Williams was an iconic figure in our society who brought joy and laughter to so many. While he has earned tremendous accolades, perhaps his biggest impact may come from shedding light on the disease of depression. We have the opportunity to literally save lives by producing earnest discussion around how depression can be treated, and how long-suffering individuals can find peace, balance and happiness again," Dr. Jantz said. 

The Center, A Place of HOPE is recognized as the #1 facility in the United States for the treatment of depression. The facility utilizes Dr. Jantz's signature whole-person approach to care. Results show it is critical that each aspect of an individual's life -- physical, emotional, nutritional, spiritual, mental -- be treated to ensure optimum recovery.

In his 2013 book Turning Your Down into Up, Dr. Jantz provides a model for depression recovery that eschews quick-fix solutions, considers the uniqueness of each individual, and offers solutions tailored to their specific needs.

"It is important for people to know that depression -- all forms and all intensities -- can be treated effectively. Yet fewer than half of all those who suffer from depression will ever receive care," Dr. Jantz continued.
The World Health Organization estimates that over 350 million people suffer from depression and it is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Through the availability of effective treatment at facilities like The Center, A Place of HOPE, lives can not only be saved, but also transformed.

"May Mr. Williams' passing be the catalyst for thousands of people to seek treatment, and to get the care they need, and deserve, to go on and lead happy, productive lives," Dr. Jantz said.

Dr. Jantz has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, ABC, NBC and CBS and is available for immediate media interviews and discussions on this important topic. Please contact Beth Chapman at 816.835.0306 or bethc@aplaceofhope.com to schedule appearances.

Resources from Dr. Jantz regarding depression:

www.aplaceofhope.com/depression-treatment-counseling.html
www.aplaceofhope.com/depression-evaluation.html
Depression Treatment at The Center * A Place of HOPE: youtu.be/DW3xn7GuHc4

Dr. Gregg Jantz:

www.drgregoryjantz.com
www.aplaceofhope.com

Retro Reality Check: Finding a Piece of Peace

By Lorraine Walker

There is something about the start of a new year that brings a feeling of restlessness. Maybe it’s the whole resolution thing, maybe it’s the advertisements that tell me I need to get organized, or maybe it’s the knowledge that I can no longer hide the clutter in my house under Christmas decorations. January means that it’s back to routine, time to start on those promises you made to yourself and time to catch up on whatever you put off during the holidays.

In the middle of all this energetic, back-to-reality, stressful living, I often find myself longing for the peaceful moments of watching lights twinkle on a tree or gazing at the face of a sleeping baby in a manger. And I wonder why this seems to elude me for much of the year.

It’s true that often we blame what is happening around us for the lack of peace in our lives when in reality it is the other way around. If we can’t find the peace in our lives, we have to look within for what is causing the disquiet. This is not an easy concept to grasp if you feel like things are spinning out of control and there is nothing for you to hold on to.

It amazes me when God has to smack me in the face with a truth that I’ve learned but have to keep relearning, over and over: I do indeed have control over my emotions, and I am also told to have control over my thoughts. I may have to tell my soul to rejoice, and often it is also an act of my will to experience God’s peace. Paul told us to LET the peace of God rule in our hearts. This tells me that if I am not experiencing God’s peace in my life it is because, for whatever reason, I am not letting His peace rule.

Last month I mentioned that Hope came to earth in a manger. Peace dwells in the same Person as Hope, and these two gifts from God dwell within us the same way. The apostle Paul also said, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

My New Year’s resolution this year? To let peace rule. Before there can be peace on earth, it must first be in me.

First published by SGM Radio website in January 2008. http://www.sgmradio.com/
For current Reality Checks visit http://www.sgmradio.com/lorraine-walker-reality-check/

Reality Check: Blue Christmas

I need to confess from the outset that I am usually a very traditional decorator at Christmas. Usually it’s just red and green, silver and gold; heavy on the tinsel and icicles, light on the more modern baubles, and definitely no blue or purple. This year I have an urge to decorate in blue and it really doesn’t have anything to do with Elvis. It is not totally a reflection of my mood either, although Christmas will be a little blue this year with one empty chair at the family Christmas table.

For some, this blue feeling at Christmas is a little deeper than missing someone or feeling stressed because of the season. For those that are suffering from an overwhelming inescapable sadness, I urge you to talk to your medical doctor and your pastor. Chronic depression is not something you should try to fight alone, but look at holistically: spirit, soul and body. There are professionals who can bring you relief and peace. Please, seek them out. If you know of someone who may need your support to reach out for this type of assistance, please lend them that support.

If you are wanting to reach out to someone you know who is having a blue Christmas this year because of circumstances including loss, can I offer a few suggestions? Don’t expect them to call you. Call them with a few thoughts of how to guide them into conversation but don’t try to analyze or pepper them with questions. Drop by with some homemade goodies but don’t infringe on their time, unless they are alone and want to chat. Most of all, be open and sensitive to how they are feeling; don’t come with your own agenda or pre-supposed ideas of what you think they are feeling.

If this Christmas has you feeling blue or wondering what God has in store for your life, remember the eternal Hope that entered the world on that first Christmas. Jesus brought Hope to the world and this becomes a personal Hope when He is born within us.

If your trust is wavering because things have happened in the past year that have hurt you, that is a reason to draw closer to Him, not farther away. I’m so thankful we don’t serve a Santa Claus God who only exists to give us what we want. When He doesn’t answer our prayers the way we believe He should, it shouldn’t cause our Hope in Him to waver. We need to pray that He will strengthen our faith in that Hope.

Whatever colour your Christmas is this year, I trust that you draw closer to the Hope that was born in Bethlehem and that His light will shine on your heart and turn your life all the colours of the rainbow. He wants you to overflow with Hope and abundant life.

From my heart to yours, Merry Christmas!

First published Christmas 2010. By Lorraine Walker. For more Reality Check blogs, go to http://www.sgmradio.com/

Retro Reality Check: Christmas Gift of Hope - December 2007

She stands beside the sidewalk; hair disheveled, clothes dirty, hands shaking. She hasn’t had a drag all day, let alone a high. Her hands move seemingly of their own volition; she’s scratching her head and then her arm, as she looks up and down the road and into each car that passes. She walks to the corner, hands tugging up the threadbare shirt, settling into her stance as she looks for a paying customer. A mere twenty bucks will get her a short high. All she needs is one customer.

He walks into work, the first one there as usual. He thinks of what he might do if he didn’t have the bills to pay. Get a different job, for one thing. Tell his boss and everyone else where they can go. Then he could afford the fancy motorcycle and the extra car. And his wife was always asking for money. But that wouldn’t be happening now anyway because he was moving out. The kids don’t need him any more. And he certainly doesn’t need to hear her nagging. A new job and an extra twenty thousand a year would be perfect. All he needs is a little more money.

She walks into church alone again. She smiles and the greeters return her smile, doing their job to the best of their ability. The pastor walks by but he’s too busy to greet anyone, he’s got too many important things to do. She slowly walks through the foyer into the sanctuary, watching people gather with their families, talking to friends, greeting each other with hugs. It’s like she’s invisible, but by this time in her life, she’s used to that. She sits down in her pew and waits for the service to begin. If just one person came to sit near her, perhaps she could have a real conversation. All she needs is a one kind word.

They struggle down the road, which leads through desert land and harsh, unforgiving terrain. He walks the hundred miles, sandals torn and feet bleeding, while he leads the donkey. She’s expecting, and the donkey’s spine is a hard and uncomfortable seat as the wind whips the dirt and sand into her eyes. They have little money but it needs to be enough to pay Caesar and for some lodging in the town once they arrive. The baby’s birth is immanent. Darkness falls and they finally arrive in Bethlehem. If they could only find a room, something clean with sheets for the new baby. All they need is a room.

In the midst of the darkness, suddenly a star breaks through and the light finds it’s way into the small stable. The cave that was dark and dirty now brightens as a baby’s cry echoes among the animals. The shepherds, drawn here by a vision they almost can’t believe, fall to their knees on the hard ground. This Child is special and the air fills with His holy presence. And suddenly, it’s there. What they all needed. They didn’t know it, they had forgotten or pushed it aside in trying to survive the day. But it’s there, and it’s undeniable.

Hope.

It came into that stable and into the world, to touch every life and every need.

A Christmas gift to share.

Why don’t we?

First published by SGM Radio, December 2007. Written by Lorraine Walker
For more Reality Check columns, please visit http://www.sgmradio.com

Christmas Gift

Reality Check Repost: Christmas Gift

She stands beside the sidewalk; hair disheveled, clothes dirty, hands shaking. She hasn’t had a drag all day, let alone a high. Her hands move seemingly of their own volition; she’s scratching her head and then her arm, as she looks up and down the road and into each car that passes. She walks to the corner, hands tugging up the threadbare shirt, settling into her stance as she looks for a paying customer. A mere twenty bucks will get her a short high. All she needs is one customer.

He walks into work, the first one there as usual. He thinks of what he might do if he didn’t have the bills to pay. Get a different job, for one thing. Tell his boss and everyone else where they can go. Then he could afford the fancy motorcycle and the extra car. And his wife was always asking for money. But that wouldn’t be happening now anyway because he was moving out. The kids don’t need him any more. And he certainly doesn’t need to hear her nagging. A new job and an extra twenty thousand a year would be perfect. All he needs is a little more money.

She walks into church alone again. She smiles and the greeters return her smile, doing their job to the best of their ability. The pastor walks by but he’s too busy to greet anyone, he’s got too many important things to do. She slowly walks through the foyer into the sanctuary, watching people gather with their families, talking to friends, greeting each other with hugs. It’s like she’s invisible, but by this time in her life, she’s used to that. She sits down in her pew and waits for the service to begin. If just one person came to sit near her, perhaps she could have a real conversation. All she needs is a one kind word.

They struggle down the road, which leads through desert land and harsh, unforgiving terrain. He walks the hundred miles, sandals torn and feet bleeding, while he leads the donkey. She’s expecting, and the donkey’s spine is a hard and uncomfortable seat as the wind whips the dirt and sand into her eyes. They have little money but it needs to be enough to pay Caesar and for some lodging in the town once they arrive. The baby’s birth is immanent. Darkness falls and they finally arrive in Bethlehem. If they could only find a room, something clean with sheets for the new baby. All they need is a room.

In the midst of the darkness, suddenly a star breaks through and the light finds it’s way into the small stable. The cave that was dark and dirty now brightens as a baby’s cry echoes among the animals. The shepherds, drawn here by a vision they almost can’t believe, fall to their knees on the hard ground. This Child is special and the air fills with His holy presence. And suddenly, it’s there. What they all needed. They didn’t know it, they had forgotten or pushed it aside in trying to survive the day. But it’s there, and it’s undeniable.

Hope.

It came into that stable and into the world, to touch every life and every need.

A Christmas gift to share.

Why don’t we?

By Lorraine Walker
Originally published by www.sgmradio.com in Reality Check, December 2007