How Lincoln dealt with depression and found greatness
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What do you credit President Lincoln with accomplishing?
President Lincoln consistently ranks in polls as the greatest president of all time. He is probably best remembered for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation that freed the slaves within the Confederacy in 1863.
According to the Smithsonian Institution, “Lincoln's legacy is based on his momentous achievements: he successfully waged a political struggle and civil war that preserved the Union, ended slavery, and created the possibility of civil and social freedom for African-Americans.”
No small undertaking for any person to champion.
In addition to all that, his administration is credited with establishing land grant universities, making the transcontinental railroad possible, passing a homestead act, enacting a law against sexual misconduct during war, establishing policies that influenced international standards against war crimes, recognizing Haiti as an independent nation, and setting standards for ending European colonies. That is, according to historian and author of ‘Abraham Lincoln: Seldom Told Stories’, Warren Bull.
The Smithsonian Magazine indicates that he was also an accomplished wrestler, the only president to hold a patent, stored papers in the lining of his hat, attended séances at the White House after his son died and signed a bill hours before he was assassinated establishing the secret services.
President Lincoln sure did a lot of good. And did all that on top of suffering with depression.
Apparently his first episode of depression can be traced back to his early twenties after the death of a woman he was romantically involved with. It triggered what was then referred to as ‘intense melancholy’ and he contemplated death by suicide too. At one point his friend took a knife away from him to prevent him from harming himself.
He wrote to his law partner that he was “the most miserable man living” and that if everyone felt the same there would not be “one cheerful face on the earth”. He did not know if he would ever be better. Even as his political career advanced, he carried his depression alongside him and was described by others as being prone to fits of sadness and introspection.
The Montana chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness suggests: “Abraham Lincoln's struggle with depression provides some valuable lessons” for those of us facing mental health challenges today:
“Seek support from friends and loved ones: Like Lincoln, do not be afraid to lean on those who care about you during difficult times.
“Use humor as a coping mechanism: Lincoln's ability to find humor in even the bleakest situations helped him maintain his sanity and persevere.
“Channel adversity into positive action: Lincoln's experience with depression may have deepened his empathy for others, which in turn made him a better leader.
“Recognize that depression does not define you: Lincoln's achievements as a President and his ability to overcome adversity remind us that it is possible to rise above depression and achieve greatness.”
He is a role model and his experiences are a powerful reminder that even the greatest among us can struggle with mental health issues. He also set a wonderful example that it really is OK to reach out to others for help and support — there is nothing wrong with needing help along the way. If he did it, so can you.
Back then there were no treatments, no medications, and not much understanding about mental health concerns. President Lincoln’s battle with depression was hidden. Today we don’t have to hide. We can seek professional help when we need it.
May is Mental Health Awareness month… a good month to reflect on your overall mental health and decide if, just if, you might need a mental health tune-up. And, as President Lincoln did, reach out for support and ask for a little help from friends and family.
And please don’t hesitate to seek professional treatment if you are suffering. My guess is President Lincoln would have had the courage to do so if he had that option available to him. I’m pretty sure he’d want you to make use of it too.
— Jude Vereyken, LMSW, CAADC, ACSW, is a clinical social worker/owner of JD’s Midlife Tools For Living Practices LLC. Jude can be reached at jude@midlifetoolsforliving.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: How Lincoln dealt with depression and found greatness
