If you think Christian platitudes and generic encouragements will yank someone out of depression’s grip, a GRAMMY® Award-winning gospel and R&B singer, who personally battles depression, says, “Your churchy clichés do NOT work when it comes to depression or other mental illnesses.”

Depression. It’s one of the most taboo subjects in the Christian community, yet with depression affecting more than 19 million Americans each year, 12 million of them being women (According to Mental Health America), I am willing to bet that at least half of them are filling the pews of churches everywhere.

GRAMMY® Award-winning Contemporary Christian singer, Mandisa Hundley, who has battled depression, responded to the sad news of designer Kate Spade’s suicide Tuesday. She shares her own experience and tells others battling depression, “You are not alone.”