Medicating for “Mood Disorder”

In our communities, we care deeply about emotional well-being, yet sometimes we rush to interpret a young person’s unhappiness as a psychiatric crisis rather than a call for understanding.
Not every struggle is a mood disorder, and not every sensitive or overwhelmed teen needs medication.
Many simply need to be heard, supported, and allowed space to grow at their own pace.
When a child or adult feels out of place socially, spiritually, or emotionally, the pain can look dramatic.
Often it is a response to pressure, loneliness, or not fitting into expected roles. Before reaching for labels or prescriptions, we can pause, listen, and ask what the heart is trying to say. When we respond with empathy, patience, and curiosity, we not only help prevent mislabeling, we create a community where emotional honesty is welcomed and healing can happen with dignity and compassion.