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Mandisa Opens Up About Depression and Grief

Deep depression, loss of her best friend, questioning God, turning to food for comfort, being super single—all things Mandisa opened up about in her chat with TheHopeLine!

Mandisa was so sweet when she spoke to us, and the really cool thing is that she is not ashamed to talk about her struggles. She is authentic and real and brings a lot of raw emotion into her music! 

Mandisa’s new album, Out of the Dark, is based on personal experience. She says God has pulled her out of the dark and now she has a renewed passion for her music and a willingness to be transparent and vulnerable about the challenges she faced the last several years.

Depression can be a deep, dark hole that sucks you in further and further. It can be all-consuming, and you can feel like there is no hope. Depression can be a struggle all of its own or it can stem from so many other things like anxiety, grief, relationship issues, and abuse. If you are in that dark place right now or have been there, you are not alone.  Singer, songwriter, and Grammy winner, Mandisa has been very transparent about the deep depression she faced in the last few years, and she tells TheHopeLine what it was like.  She says that, at one point, she was comfortable in that dark place. She explains, “I shut out everyone; I shut out God; I shut out everyone who loved me.  I hardly left my house.  I stayed in my house every day. I ate and I watched television, and I’ve never been more miserable in my life.”

When you are in a deep depression, it’s all-consuming, so it’s very hard to make positive steps to move forward or get help. Mandisa was in a depression for about 3 1/2 years until she reached a turning point. Mandisa said God showed her 3 things:

1. We have to walk in community with one another. – “There’s a difference between needing time to re-energize and isolating and shutting out the world.” Her loved ones loved her too much to leave her where she was. Friends and family are important!

2. Stop focusing on your mistakes in the past. – “I had to stop battling with shame because of all the mistakes I made.”

3. Look for those flickers of light that come in so many places. – “Darkness is overwhelming, but it only takes one flicker of light to chase out that darkness.”

If you’re struggling with depression, please reach out for support today. You can chat with a Hope Coach. It’s free and confidential.

Mandisa’s Grammy-winning song “Overcomer” was written for her best friend, Kisha, to encourage her while she was battling breast cancer. Mandisa later wrote “Prove Me Wrong” from the anger she was feeling after her friend died. She says the song is not tied up with a pretty Christian bow, but it’s honest and heartfelt. She says through her grief she learned, “When you are dealing with grief, you have to bring that to the Lord, or you are going to bring it somewhere else.”

  1. I would love you win a copy of her abulm. I feel as though it could really help.

    • Yes, Mandisa’s words are music are very powerful and sincere. Thank you for commenting. We will add you to the drawing. 🙂

    • Thanks, Sarah! We’ve added you to the drawing.

  2. I absolutely love Mandisa and I’ve heard this album on YouTube. It’s a great album. I would love to have a copy because it’s so great.

    • We love Mandisa, too! Thanks for your comment. We will add you to the drawing. 🙂

    • Thanks, Dorothy! You’ve been added to the drawing!

  3. I love Mandisa. up lifting song.

  4. I love Mandisa she puts real passion in her songs!!

    • Thanks, Tony! She does!

  5. Wow! My name is Brandi, I live in Las Vegas now.. From California.. I can relate to Mandisa on depression, becoming a shut in.. And challenging God.. I have been through so much pain and loss, rejection and lack, for what seems like most of my life! Iam 41 years old and a single mom of a 23 year-old autistic son.. But, now, here lately.. I can feel God’s nudging me, and glimpses of light in the darkeness.. Thanks for sharing Mandisa!

  6. Thank you for sharing!

    • You’re welcome, Elena!

  7. Thank you so much for sharing! Long story short, I really needed to read this today…stopped me in my tracks. What a godsend

    • Hi Chrissy! Wow, we love hearing this!

  8. Wow! My name is Brandi, I live in Las Vegas now.. From California.. I can relate to Mandisa on depression, becoming a shut in.. And challenging God.. I have been through so much pain and loss, rejection and lack, for what seems like most of my life! Iam 41 years old and a single mom of a 23 year-old autistic son.. But, now, here lately.. I can feel God’s nudging me, and glimpses of light in the darkeness.. Thanks for sharing Mandisa!

    • Brandi, Thank you for your comment and your story. God is with you and loves you dearly. I have a family member diagnosed with autism, as well, and I know it can be very hard. I feel your pain and isolation and want you to know you are not alone. I’m so hopeful to hear that God is nudging you and that you are seeing glimpses of light. We actually have a prayer site too if you would ever like to post a prayer request at http://www.theprayerzone.com

      • Thank you! I needed that… Provoked a conversation with the Lord moments ago. Please keep us in your prayers! I was recently dumped too, by a minister a man of God, I thought was going to marry me! Needless to say, I need much support! GOD bless you guys!

        • So glad it ministered to you. We will pray for you. You are going to make it!

  9. Wow! I’m speechless, it’s such a powerful, meaningful and so sincere. Dealing with the same things as Mandisa, it was such an experience to listen to her album and would be honoured to receive her album as I know it would help even more than it already has!

    • Jacqueline, What a blessing to read your comment. Mandisa is an incredible soul and we were touched by her interview as well.

  10. What an inspiring interview. I’m in that dark hole that sucks you farther in. Isolation, food and anger dominate my life, and the misery never ends. I am encouraged by Mandisa’s testimony and would love to hear her songs. Perhaps this is the flicker of light that God will use to chase out the darkness that has overwhelmed me.

    • Cynthia, Thank you for your transparency. You are not alone…we are here if you ever need to talk…Iwww.thehopeline.com/gethelp.

  11. have not heard music. but want the inspiration

    • Thank you, Scott!

  12. Thank

  13. This is very encouraging for me. Mandisa she has helped me out a lot.
    I would 💖a copy

    • Maedean, Thank you for your comment.

  14. I love Mandisa’s songs. They speak to where I am in life.
    I would love to have a copy of this album.

    • Thank you for your comment, Brenda!

  15. I have appreciated Mandisa’s music from the start. I love her authenticity – it really speaks to others on these real life issues. We are all human, we are struggle in someway – no sense in pretending everything is OK when it’s not. I would absolutely love to have one of her CDs. 🙏🏼

    • Sherrie, We love your comment and feel the same way! It’s ok to speak up and let others know that we are struggling.

  16. It’s so beautiful to find a person so honest so loving so inspiring I would so love to meet her she is so honest to the core people need to hear struggles other people are facing in a daily basis because depression can be so unbearable and isolating I suffer severe chronic daily pain had to give up my job can’t do my
    Food shopping or work anymore and it’s quiet debilitating this lady is so inspiring she even talks about Jesus and is not a bit embarrassed mentioning her relationship with him which is what everyone on earth needs and is here for if we are to spend eternity with him I would really love to meet her and win her albumn as well thanks for sharing her story and battle with depression reginahehir1@gmail.com

    • Thank you, Regina. We were inspired by the transparency and authenticity in her interview. We are praying for your strength, Regina, and are thankful that you have placed your burdens at the Lord’s feet. He is with you always.

  17. As horrible as depression is, it’s somewhat refreshing to know that celebrities struggle with it too. It must be even worse for them, given the facade they must play to hide the truth from fans. Although death is always a tragedy, Robin Williams’ suicide did wonders for depression awareness. He is certainly missed, and his death was as influential as his life. Mental illness can be so debilitating and I don’t wish it on anyone, but I am also thankful that one person’s struggle can have a positive influence and help others. It’s an unfortunate reality and although it wasn’t comforting in my darkest days, being told my struggle was probably meant to help others in the future gave me hope and courage as I was finally emerging from my pit of depression.

    • Kristie, Thank you for your comment and your transparency in dealing with depression. It is our top issue at TheHopeLine and affects so many lives. We too were saddened by the loss of Robin Williams and do understand the awareness it brought to mental health issues. You are so right, knowing that we are not alone and that others deal with the same issues helps bring hope and courage. Keep fighting the fight and know we are here for you!

  18. I really needed this encouragement today! Thank you!

    • You’re welcome, Tiffany! We are so glad you were encouraged by Mandisa’s interview.

  19. I love mandisa. She has really helped me through all lot by her music. Her song ” overcomer” is one of the only things that keep me going. I would love a chance @ getting a copy of the new CD.

    • Thank you for your comment! Overcomer is such an inspirational song!

  20. Wow! What an amazing artist who doesn’t fear opening up. Music that really touches!❤

    • Thank you, Brittany! We were touched by her transparency and her desire to help others.

  21. I really enjoyed the intetview because it gave me hope.

    • Thank you, Stephanie! We are so glad you found hope in our interview.

  22. Very inspiring. I have really been struggling lately.. Helps to know I’m not so alone..

    • Thank you for your comment, Dee! We are here for you.

  23. Just saw her in concert on Saturday May 20th she’s amazing singer. She seemed couple songs from her new CD that made me open my eyes I don’t know what they are but they’re very powerful. Makes me want to go buy the CD. I can relate I feel like always in the dark I’ve been through a lot since I want passed away in 1999 and I just try to press on as much as I can I am currently in therapy it helps but not as much as I wish it would. I’m really good at beating myself up which I will need to learn to not.

    • So glad you got to see her in concert! Her songs are so powerful. That is good that you are in therapy. I believe you will get better. Sometimes healing takes time.

  24. When I was literally walking in the valley of the shadow of death (waking up everyday and being disappointed that I hadn’t died yet) and running away from God (that’s what depression does to believers), I stumbled upon Ez 37, 1-11 “the valley of dry bones”. Yep, I was dead inside so that text definitely spoke to me. I asked the Lord to bring me back to life by putting back his Spirit in me. Later on, a few weeks before Easter 2016, I told the Lord that I wanted to be resurrected like Jesus. I asked to be brought back to life and He did on Easter 2016. I was at a Christian retreat and on Easter Sunday, right in the middle of a session of hymns and praises, a woman said: “There’s a person here who was dead, who feels dead. The Lord tells us that he has rolled back the stone of her tomb.” I knew she was talking about me. Yep, that’s how I got out of depression. The first step towards the exit was Ez 37, 1-11. I also got a lot of support and strength for the volunteers from the PrayerZone.

    • What a beautiful testimony of God’s healing power! Thank you so much for sharing your story here. And I am so thankful you found help through ThePrayerZone. 🙂

  25. Thank you everyone for your heartfelt comments and real stories of hope. We will be announcing the CD winners later today on social media – https://www.facebook.com/TheHopeLine/

  26. The first thing that we must do is…Believe that God can & is able to help us with anything we are struggling with!! Once we believe that He can… everything is possible!!! I had to believe that He can & is able in muy own heart!! I’ve been struggling with depression most of my life however the worst came when I lost my health and in turn lost my family my home my life as I knew it! Years later I realized that I was the one who needed to act & believe that I could be more than what I had become!! I am trusting Jesus for everything now and taking action to follow the Lord with all of my heart and not just with my head! Thank you Mandisa for being transparent with your struggles and sharing God’s wisdom with us!!! We all have to stick together!!!

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