By Nancy Virden (c)2026 AlwaysTheFight.com

Happy Pills. What a mockery of the complex science and research that has gone into the creation of antidepressant and antianxiety medications. No pill makes a person happy if they do not want to be or do not know how to experience happiness.

People who take these medications are struggling in some way with their mental health. To expect a pill to change their outlook on life, their self-esteem, or even their attitudes is to presume too much power on a capsule, tablet, or injection. These meds take a brain that is unreasonable in a manner of speaking (overly negative, low sense of worth, hopeless outlook, irrationally fearful, etc) and make it possible for a person to choose with reason how they want to feel and behave.

Prior to a new medication achieving therapeutic levels two months ago, I couldn’t find strong evidence for the worth of my life. Suicidal ideation landed me in the ER (I took myself in), and through a series of supportive measures, I found a little hope and clung to it. One of those hopes was that the new mood stabilizer would pat down my bipolar tendencies and one day I would feel better. It did not seem possible, but I hoped.

Through several weeks of group therapy (called IOP, Intensive Outpatient Program), I began to hear something different than what was in my head. I heard, “Thank you” and “What Nancy said…” It raised doubts about my low sense of worth. I still have 2 weeks before I graduate from the 8-week program, but now I can choose to be happy or not. Will I believe the voices of others? Will I assume that God has a plan for me? These are my decisions to make.

The new medication is at a therapeutic level, meaning it is working optimally. Depression and suicidal ideation are still my choice if I want them! Nevertheless, I choose to feel better and to focus my thoughts on God’s promises. He doesn’t create mistakes, and He created me. While I knew this in the ER, the depression was such that it seemed this truth almost didn’t matter. Still, I chose it and did not attempt to take my life.

It is all about choices. Will we recognize that we need help? Will we seek it out? Will we work the process for healing? Will we grow? Wisdom doesn’t grow on trees, nor does it come from psychotropic pills. Our brains can only do so much. We must take mental health seriously and choose what is better.

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

Proverbs 3:5-8

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
    Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Then you will have healing for your body
    and strength for your bones.

If you are feeling suicidal or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S., call 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. For a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room; in the EU, call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here.) Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. 

NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional and speaks only from personal experience and observations. This website is not intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

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