Hope is always our best option Many years ago, when taking my [psychology] licensing exam, I was confronted with a complex question on depression. I suddenly found myself going back to a topic in animal behavior research that had previously caught my attention: the concept of helplessness. I formulated an elaborate answer having to do with helplessness, hopelessness, and depression; a formulation – now surprisingly relevant – which to this day features prominently in my work with clients.
Presumably, the person who read my answer agreed with my conception, as I passed the exam. Fast forward to today. We are a nation that has always embodied hope; and never has the need for this featured more prominently than in these past months as we hope and pray for a good outcome for this devastating war.
As I write this, we have once again expanded our war efforts. As our soldiers go deeper into Rafah, we hold our breath knowing that our enemy does not value life and that its cruelty knows no bounds. Yet, as all of us work to support our loved ones – our soldiers, hostages, the bereaved, the displaced, and our families – we must embrace the hope that we will prevail and achieve safety and a more lasting peace.
My understanding is that when we, as individuals or collectively as a nation, believe a situation to be hopeless and we in turn are left feeling helpless, depression can set in. While for some, depression is chemical, for many others our attitude in large part determines ho.
