Homemade Acne: Ask a Therapist: My Relative Is Depressed, but Our Family Sees It as a Spiritual Issue, Not a Mental Health Problem.

Verywell Mind Editor-in-Chief, Amy Morin, LCSW, answered:

Seeing a mental health issue as a spiritual deficit can be a common and unfortunate issue. When someone has a physical health issue, like diabetes, people are less likely to see it as a spiritual weakness and they're usually more supportive of people getting treatment.

Mental health isn't all that different. Depression can be quite treatable with therapy and/or medication. It will probably be important for you to relay this information to your family member who appears be depressed. You might even offer to help them set up an appointment or take them to the appointment.

It may also be helpful to reiterate that you believe in the power of prayer as well but you also believe in the importance of taking positive action. Praying for big biceps won't necessarily give you big muscles. But going to the gym could help. So make it clear that you don't see how going to the doctor can hurt. It won't stop the power of prayer from being effective but seeking medical attention could help your family gain some much-needed support along their journey.

In the meantime, you might spend some time considering how to talk to the family member who is depressed so you are prepared to hold an important conversation that could potentially change their life.