The short answer to this is ABSOLUTELY YES. It is ‘normal’ for Christians to face mental health challenges, and there is help. Unfortunately, in some Christian circles mental health is seen as a stigma, or something that the person is not ‘doing enough’ of (such as praying, fasting, etc). However, this is not the case at all, and I encourage you to seek the right support for yourself – one that identifies your strengths and works with you on your needs, without any judgement.
What is mental health?
When our body functions at its best, we have optimum mental health (mental wellness) which is balanced and healthy. However, because we live in a fallen world, we live with things like ADHD, diabetes, heart problems, etc. And mental health challenges are no different. They come in various shapes and forms, which require tailored ‘treatment’ according to your unique situation. Some are classified under the DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, Text Revision) published in 2022, which is the latest edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s reference manual on mental health and brain-related conditions, while others are a state of emotions and feelings that don’t seem right to us (without necessarily a diagnosis). Both deserve attention and ‘treatment’. I believe that God, knowing that we live in a fallen world, sent people with special gifts to be psychiatrists, mental health therapists, doctors, nurses, peer support, etc to walk alongside us as we navigate our mental health challenges.
What it is not?
Mental health challenges are not a sin, or a sign of demon possession, or imply that we are weak, or that we are not ‘doing enough’ of something (such as not praying enough, or not living according to someone’s standards). Mental health challenges do not resolve just by praying and reading the bible more. If you are experiencing this kind of treatment when you share your mental health challenges, I would encourage you to find allies (including Christian allies) that support you and walk alongside you in your journey towards balanced mental health/mental wellness.
What does ‘treatment’ look like?
There is no specific one-size-fits-all treatment. However, what is important is that your mental health challenges are taken seriously, you are validated, you are heard, and steps are taken to work with you to identify what works for you. For some this looks like peer support, counselling sessions, medication, psychoeducation and learning skills, self-care, trauma work; and for many this looks like a combination of different supports. Also there are different seasons, and what would not work today might work tomorrow. So making sure you are working with someone, who can continue exploring your strengths, what works for you in-the-now, and supporting your growth (and sometimes holding your hand while you are in the valleys).
Christian values that support balanced mental health
In conjunction with other ‘treatments’ (such as medication, counselling, etc), there are Christian values that can be beneficial to maintain a balanced mental health.
- prayer. This helps us feel emotionally connected – there is a God who cares and loves us no matter what. Also due to the nature of praying and its meditation aspect, serotonin (a neurotransmitter – which is a natural chemical that the body produces, and carries messages between nerve cells) is released, which in turn impacts body functions such as our mood, stress levels, sleep, and overall sense of wellbeing.
- reading the Bible. This helps us know who God is – His character and what His promises are, such as He has our backs, to cast our anxieties onto Him, He walks alongside us.
- fellowship with other Christians who share the same values/worldview. Having a support system in place is key, especially if we find and receive treatment in line with Jesus’ characteristics of kindness, gentleness, care, acceptance, and reaching out.
Recommendations
First and foremost, thank you for being here. I strongly encourage you to continue reaching out until your mental health concerns are taken seriously – maybe reaching out to different Christian groups (being church body, counsellors, etc.) and/or other non-Christian groups.
If you are here, to support someone with mental health concerns, I sincerely commend you. I would say that the first step is validating them, listening to them, and together seeking out various supports that address their mental health concerns (maybe speaking to a doctor, mental health counsellor/therapist, etc.).
Got some insights? Would love to read your comment below…
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Greetings! I’m Claire, a Child & Family Therapist, Educator and Founder at myCaRE&CO; supporting Christian families with their 6 to 12 year old child’s challenging behaviours. Thank you for taking up your time to read this article, and hope that you found it useful to answering your questions.
Would you like more support, maybe more personalised to your situation? Check out myCaRE&CO’s services and e-mail me directly at info@mycareandco.com. You can also schedule a free ‘discovery call’ to discuss your child’s and family’s needs and goals.
Claire Esikalam MSW, RSW, B.Ed. (Hons.) Child & Family Therapist, Educator and Founder at myCaRE&CO.
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