unJoy

“Len Lantz shares solid, quality help in a befriending, relational, and conversational manner. His humorous illustrations and real stories make this serious subject engaging and approachable. Get it, read it, use it. It will make a genuine difference for you and for God’s kingdom!”


—Douglas Diehl, retired United Methodist pastor





“UnJoy is a book that brings hope. As a pastor of more than thirty-eight years, I’ve seen too many Christ followers struggle with the stigma of guilt and shame as they live under the dark cloud of depression. I wish I could have given them this book. . . . If you struggle with depression or love and care for someone who does, this book is for you.”


—Chris Dolson, pastor emeritus, Blackhawk Church





“Being a Christian doesn’t mean being immune from depression, but for many, it’s easier to see a doctor to fix a broken bone or even treat cancer than to address a mental health concern. Dr. Lantz shows how people of faith can find relief from depression through a variety of therapies. If you think you might be depressed—or know someone who is—read this book. It could change your life.”


—Matt Randles, author of Deep Focus





“This important book will empower more Christians to move past the stigma associated with mental illness and seek help from a caring and competent professional who can be a guardian of hope sent by God. I found the reflections at the end of each chapter particularly helpful.”


—Christopher Fuller, PhD, theologian





“Dr. Lantz offers the perfect combination of compassion, humor, and expertise to deliver a message of hope and real solutions for depression. This is lifesaving information that is desperately needed in today’s world.”


—Erin Amato, MD, psychiatrist





“This book is effortless to read and incredibly easy to understand. Len has balanced his medical expertise and Christian faith well, making them neither obtuse nor heavy-handed in considering the subject of depression. . . . How incredibly helpful this book will be for Christians in overcoming depression!”


—Kermit Culver, retired pastor





“Len Lantz’s unJoy is a joy for all who read it, whether they are depressed or not. . . . Len got it right: ‘This is not a self-help book. It is a get-help book.’ Effective treatment shortens distress and dysfunction caused by depression and reduces the risk of recurrence. As a Christian physician with decades of experience treating depression, I see tremendous value in this book.”


—John Greist, MD, coauthor of Depression and Its Treatment





“UnJoy is the real deal, with helpful, understandable, to-the-point information for those struggling with depression. I can’t wait to share this book with my Christian family member who is struggling with depression.”


—Scott Poland, psychologist and suicide prevention expert





“Len Lantz directly addresses so many of the fears and stereotypes that depressed people, Christian and non-Christian alike, experience on a day-to-day basis. Not only does he provide the most recent strategies and interventions, but he does a masterful job of explaining in terms that all of us can understand. This book should be provided to every person experiencing depression as a way of countering the stigma that stops so many from getting help.”


—Karl Rosston, LCSW, psychotherapist





“In unJoy, Len Lantz contributes beautifully to an effectual dialogue that neither replaces nor contradicts faith or Scripture. He brings a vibrant, practical humanity to our common struggles with depression. Please read and share unJoy with your friends and colleagues!”


—Kevin Hadduck, author of A Farewell to Lent





“UnJoy is a fantastic read! Stop waiting with your silent pain and suffering and get this book for yourself or a loved one. Len Lantz has created an amazing resource that is easy and enjoyable to read and also well supported by research. I can see using unJoy to help my Christian patients in the treatment of their depression.”


—Jennifer Preble, LCSW, suicide prevention advocate





“Len Lantz’s experience, efforts, and ministry in the world of mental health are well established. The ideas he presents in unJoy are straightforward, understandable, and actionable. . . . Len helps remove the stigma around mental health and makes it easier for people to get the help they need. I’ll be handing this book to people in my church and community.”


—Keith Johnson, senior pastor, Life Covenant Church





“Dr. Lantz embraces his faith and psychiatric expertise to offer an easy-to-read book that guides you and your loved ones to find help to conquer ‘unJoy.’ . . . Dr. Lantz’s wise guidance paves the way for compassionate and common-sense treatments that will reduce suffering, help heal depression, and save lives. Read unJoy! Give this book to those who need hope and relief from depression.”


—Keith Foster, MD, child and adolescent psychiatrist





“I am so thankful for this book that joins the wisdom of psychiatry and the heart of the gospel hand in hand to help people comprehensively flourish. What I am looking forward to the most as a pastor is getting this book in the hands of those I care for who have ‘an inability to experience pleasure from activities that usually are enjoyable; a loss of joy.’ Thank you, Dr. Lantz!”


—Seth Dombach, lead pastor, Headwaters Covenant Church





“UnJoy is a gift to all Christians struggling with their mental health. I have had the honor of being Len’s colleague and friend for over a decade. Len Lantz is passionate about helping people with depression. . . . UnJoy is the first book that I have encountered that seamlessly pulls together Christianity and mental health. I absolutely plan to buy and share this book with my Christian patients.”


—Heather Zaluski, MD, child and adolescent psychiatrist





“Len Lantz has hit a home run with his book unJoy! Aligning the medical treatment of depression with Christian principles, Dr. Lantz writes from the perspective of his own strong Christian faith, combined with his medical/psychiatric expertise, and all through the lens of his compassionate care as a wise and experienced healer.”


—John Battaglia, MD, author of Doing Supportive Psychotherapy





“Dr. Len Lantz is a leader in the field of psychiatry and suicide prevention. His Christian faith and medical expertise join together in unJoy, the perfect guide to help Christians in their journey with depression.”


—Matt Kuntz, executive director, NAMI Montana





“UnJoy reveals a compassionate, evidence-based approach to conquering stigma for Christians with depression. He presents a warm, optimistic plan to help Christians overcome their own biases and fears about depression and to be able to get the treatment that they need and deserve. . . . I will definitely be recommending this book to my Christian patients, and it will have a home on my office bookshelf!”


—Joan M. Green, MD, child and adolescent psychiatrist





“‘The doctor is in!’ UnJoy is informative, inspired, and insightful. Dr. Len Lantz tells us how to move from ‘unJoy’ to the joyfulness that is possible through hope and healing.”


—Donald T. Robinson, North Park Theological Seminary





“UnJoy is a comprehensive and easy-to-understand book about depression for Christians and non-Christians alike. . . . I will definitely recommend this book to my clients and other practitioners!”


—Joan FitzGerald, LCSW, mental health provider





“UnJoy is one of the most informative books I have ever read on depression, its causes, and effective treatments. . . . UnJoy is a step toward ending the stigma and isolation that has prevented many Christians from accessing effective help.”


—Gary Mihelish, past president, NAMI Montana





“Dr. Lantz has provided in unJoy an incalculable resource. For those of us who teach university students who are struggling with depression, unJoy explains the complexities of this disease. Moreover, unJoy helpfully balances the value of Christians pursuing psychiatric care alongside the cultivation of a vibrant spiritual life. There is hope and help for us and our students.”


—Brian Matz, Fontbonne University





“Dr. Lantz has effectively matched his professional experience of treating people affected by depression with the wisdom from Christian Scripture. This book has the potential to touch millions of lives affected by depression and provides hope for a better life for ourselves and others.”


—Mark Schure, Montana State University





“With psalms and questions to contemplate, information to educate, perspectives to break down stigma, and helpful suggestions, unJoy is sure to be a valuable and friendly what-you-need-to-know guide for many Christians who suffer from depression, or ‘unJoy,’ sometimes silently and sometimes, tragically, for far too long before seeking help.”


—Brandon Vance, MD, psychiatrist