Jeromy J. Wells
Chaplain at Rogers Behavioral Health, Wisconsin
It takes honesty to admit when something is no longer a good fit. It takes even more extraordinary courage to do something about it—especially when doing something about it may mean changing careers.
This was where I found myself as an Air Force chaplain over the last decade. Looking back over the incredible opportunities I had to serve others, I realized I had mishandled my symptoms of burnout and need for care. Eventually, my symptoms led to depression—one of the 12 stages of burnout. I later learned “the onset of each case is unique, making it difficult to identify burnout early in its course.”* I knew something unhealthy was happening, but I believed it was my responsibility to figure it out. And like a warrior, I pressed on.
What are the support pathways for chaplains who are hurting and need additional spiritual and mental health care?
I recently read an article by Bruce Rogers-Vaughn which inspired me to write to him. And a few days later he wrote back! His thoughtful response communicated nothing less than an “unconditional positive regard” for me. I knew it wasn’t a sales pitch, and I decided I wanted to read more from him. So, I bought his book, Caring for Souls in a Neoliberal Age.
As I slowly digested each page, I sensed I was getting closer to a well of hope, and I connected with something much more profound—something I couldn’t articulate before.
Essentially, depression is not simply a “you” problem; it’s also an “us” problem. So, yes, we have to do better with caring for ourselves. That includes recognizing the voice of depression and burnout in our peers and coming alongside them collectively. We don’t have to suffer alone.
Bo Prosser planted a seed of awareness in me over a decade ago when he said, “Jeromy, even Jesus surrounded himself with close friends.” Everything is a process. It may have taken a while, but eventually, I found my grounding and took the steps necessary for recovery and growth.
One of those steps included allowing others to become my extended family. As an only child, I always dreamed of having siblings. Now I know I have several siblings who refuse to let me handle things alone. I am forever grateful to God for bringing those people into my life. We are in this together.