Climbing Gear

Open crevasse, Tangra Mountains, Antarctica, Author Apcbg, (CC BY-SA 4.0 International)

A chasm opens up again.  Depression yawns before us once more, sucking us in despite our best efforts.

It may be that something reminded us of our earlier trauma.  It may be that regret over an old loss or error in judgment morphed from sadness into despair.  Whatever the cause, as abuse victims we can suddenly find ourselves falling headlong into darkness. 

Consumed with self-loathing, we may feel achingly alone in a crowd, strangers in a strange land while at a local mall or familiar church service. 

The greetings, compliments, and good wishes of loved ones – however many, however sincere – are dismissed as undeserved.  Life loses its savor.  Even prayer seems stale.

Surprisingly, the skills and equipment necessary to alpine rescue have bearing on this.

Fatal Self-Isolation

Engulfed by depression, our instinct will likely be to self-isolate.  But this can be a fatal mistake, effectively putting us at risk of hypothermia from the cold of the mountain crevasse into which we have fallen. 

It can take a rescue team and specialized equipment to pull a climber who has fallen into such a crevasse back to safety.

Climbing Team

It is essential to remember that none of us really climbs the mountains of life alone.  We are all linked to others – to family, friends, roommates, neighbors, teachers, classmates, coaches, teammates, co-workers, health care providers, crisis hot lines, and God, Himself.  These are vital resources.

Holding the Fall

The first thing to do is hold the fall.  On a mountainside, the technique required is for a climber to dig the sides of his/her feet firmly into the snow, while plunging the shaft of his/her ice axe into the snow.  This is what we must do as abuse survivors, as well.

Will power alone will not overcome depression.  But we have a choice on whether we go deeper into darkness or not.  We must set our minds on resisting the depression, then take the steps needed to do that.

Secure Platform

Security for the downhill foot is created by kicking a platform into the snow, or cutting one with an axe.  If the climber is not incapacitated, it may be possible for him/her at this point to climb up the rescue rope.

A regular pattern of rest, activity, healthy nutrition, and self-nurture is the equivalent of a secure platform for abuse victims.  The body thrives on regularity, and will strive to recover.  

Physical activity from sports to dancing can help exorcise depression.  Self-care (a warm bath, a walk in the woods) reminds us that we have worth.

Ice Axe

Contact should be attempted with the fallen climber, even if this is difficult. 

Though we may not realize it, human contact is as necessary as air for abuse victims.  We may not feel up to attending a party.  But smiling at a neighbor over the backyard fence or saying “hello” to the postman is a start, and can be as strong as an ice axe against depression. 

Friends should be alerted that we are in need, so that they maintain contact with us.

Snow Anchor

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.  It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain” (Heb. 6: 19).

If the climber is unable to assist, an anchor has to be made in the snow to pull him/her up. 

The unassailable anchor for abuse victims is God.  Open communication with God in prayer can strengthen our faith, regardless of our emotional state.  For some, anti-depressants may, also, be necessary. 

But certainty as to God’s love for us makes us less susceptible to depression, less susceptible to fall in the first place.  He knows us at our weakest, at our worst, and loves us anyway.

French Prusik and Carabiners

An autoblock knot known as a French prusik is a type of friction hitch commonly used in climbing and rappelling.  A cord is wrapped around the main rope, then clipped at both ends into carabiners, a specialized type of shackle.  

Designed to grip the rope when loaded, the French prusik can be released while still under load (making it useful for emergencies).  In this way, some of the weight of the fallen climber can be transferred to the anchor.

In the same way, hobbies and activities we enjoyed in the past can serve to connect us to life, shifting some of the weight of darkness off our shoulders. 

Creativity is a powerful tool for healing trauma.  But we do not have to create gardening, musical, or artistic masterpieces. 

Simply engaging in activities we used to like allows us to express our feelings, without being swallowed whole by them.  Slowly, it will remind us of why we took pleasure in these activities in the first place.

Lantern and Light

The very knowledge that depression distorts our perception can act as a lantern, guiding us back to a true sense of self. 

Love, above all else, is the light which conquers darkness.  We must keep it always close at hand. 

It may be the sight of a precious child’s face.  It may be the recollection that a parent, sibling, or spouse would be devastated without us that ultimately aids us in overcoming our darkness.  It may be a caring psychologist that reminds us who we really are.  

Though depression can be life-threatening, it need not be permanent and need not be lethal.  We must, however, remember to keep our climbing gear at the ready.  

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