I recently wrote a post about Minding Mental Health, as it is an issue that I am passionate about, having lost my mother last year. With the recent loss of Naomi Judd and several other people that I knew to mental illness, I felt the nudge to address it further.
So, what exactly is mental illness? Mental illnesses are diagnosable health conditions (temporary or long-lasting) that affect how we think, feel and act. They can be triggered by a number of factors including genetics, trauma, personal loss, brain chemistry, unhealthy habits, drugs and alcohol, societal pressures, or existing in a dysfunctional environment.
One in five Americans experiences a mental illness in a given year, and over half of us will experience it in our lifetime (SAMSA). As you can see, mental illness is not uncommon but there is still so much stigma associated with it. As a result, people are often ashamed to discuss their symptoms and reluctant to seek treatment and support. In fact, one statistic I saw said that over half do not seek treatment.
If you are struggling with mental illness, it is extremely important to pray and seek help from God. I have listed some supplementary things to consider below:
- Know that it is okay to get additional help
Attempting to “push through” mental illness can be disastrous. We often can’t fix it through sheer willpower and determination. In my opinion, it is BS if anyone tells you that Christians shouldn’t seek additional help. If you break a bone, you go to see a doctor. What makes getting help for your mind any less important?
There are many sources of support – friends, family, clergy, your doctor, community resources, etc. If you are seriously struggling, a trained professional is probably the best option. They can help you understand what’s happening in your brain, why it’s happening, and what you can do about it.
- Know that you are not your condition
You are so much more than a condition or diagnosis. You are, first and foremost, a child of God—personally called by your Father in heaven. (1 John 3:1-2) Your condition should not and does not define you.
- Take care of yourself
Engage in activities and practices on a regular basis to take care of yourself including praying, exercising, sleeping, eating right, and doing things that you enjoy. You can’t take care of others and live your life well if you aren’t taking care of yourself. This is good advice for anyone, regardless of your mental health status, and could even potentially help to head off future mental health issues.
If you are contemplating suicide:
Please seek help immediately by reaching out to someone who could assist or calling the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255. This decision will not only impact your life It will have a devastating impact on those that you leave behind. Consequently, it could result in your loved ones experiencing trauma and potentially mental illness themselves.
We have to do a better job supporting others who have mental illnesses by creating an environment where they feel comfortable opening up about their struggles and challenges – and showing empathy, compassion and encouragement when they do!
“But now indeed there are many members, yet one body . . . And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” – 1 Corinthians 12:20, 26
As members of that body, we have a responsibility to one another—to suffer with those who suffer, and to rejoice with them in their victories.
