about the author & speaker:

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William Stewart Whittemore (also known as "Stu") is a blessed father, grandfather, Navy Veteran, author and speaker.  He enjoys writing, speaking on depression and suicide, volunteering and encouraging others.

He currently holds an Advanced Diploma in Lay Biblical Counseling. He served as a volunteer Chaplain & then as a Chaplain on staff for a total of ten years at Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass, Oregon.

Stu has written and published several books:  "Ransomed:  Let the Redeemed of the LORD say so . . . ", (which received the 2009 Ministry Award through Xulon Press), "But Who Do You Say That I AM?" and "A Good Word Overcoming Depression".

Stu was also involved with the QPR Suicide Prevention Program and was instrumental in the coordination and implementation of offering this program through the local hospital, various businesses and the high school in the Grants Pass, Oregon area.   Since its implementation the hospital had experienced a reduction in admittances for suicide attempts.

"QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer.  It's three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.  Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone for help."   For more information about this program, please visit their website at www.qprinstitute.com

Depression is the number one cause of suicide today.  Eighty percent of those suffering from depression are not seeking treatment; fifteen percent will commit suicide.

As one who contributed to those statistics, but survived a major suicide attempt, I wanted to create a website to help others avoid that terrible consequence of not seeking the help that is readily available for combatting depression.  In fact, that is the main reason I wrote, "Ransomed:  Let the Redeemed of the LORD say so . . ".  It describes the wonderful miracle of my rescue and hopefully it will provide insight for others to combat this deadly illness too, before one reaches the point of despair I reached.

From my experience I know our Dear Lord is there in all our circumstances to provide that help we need, if only we would call on Him.  As I experienced, our Lord worked through many fine professionals in bringing the healing I so needed.  For example, my psychiatrist treated me for a year then took me off all medication because of the healing work he saw in me.  He confided in me one day that he was going to inquire about his patient's faith in the future, due to my dramatic healing.  Because of the Lord's intervention, I've been free of all medication for over 25 years now.

Therefore, I hope the information provided throughout this website will provide the encouragement and confidence others need and are searching for and find that our Dear Lord's help is always available to us to overcome depression once and for all.

Stu has spoken all over the world about depression, suicide and his own testimony through which many hearts have been healed.  He has spoken throughout the United States and in Israel, England, Wales, Haiti, South Africa, Czech Republic, China, and Thailand.  

Where the Lord leads, he will go.