Episode 198: A Bishop’s Raw Story of Anxiety and Depression: Why ‘Try Harder’ Doesn’t Work


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Oct 29 2024 59 mins   9

Bishop James Conley shares his raw and personal journey of battling anxiety and depression as a Church leader. He reveals the trap of “just try harder” and emphasizes that true healing comes only by breaking free from self-reliance. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to keep pushing through, this episode will challenge and encourage you to embrace authentic healing.

Discussed in this episode:

  • Bishop James Conley’s personal journey with anxiety, depression, and PTSD;
  • The surprising decision to take a leave of absence and publicly share his mental health struggles as a bishop;
  • Recognizing the trap of “try harder” and the American mentality of “ungodly self-reliance;”
  • Self-reliance deepening mental health struggles instead of relieving them;
  • Breaking free of the messages of “man up,” “work harder,” and “toughen it out” which led to a loss of joy;
  • The fears involved in admitting that “I can’t fix myself;”
  • How vulnerability and radical surrender became essential parts of his healing process;
  • How relying on our own talents gets in the way of Christ working through us to do great things;
  • The importance of a proper Catholic anthropology in addressing the modern mental health crisis;
  • The impact of technology on children’s mental health and the value of play-based learning;
  • How parents, schools, and the Church can work together to support children’s development;
  • Bishop Conley's call for a radical renewal in education and healthcare grounded in Christ-centered principles.

Resources mentioned or relevant:

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