Let’s talk about mental health
Stigma?
We need to say something important. Mental illness is not a rare thing. One in four people experience mental health issues like depression during their lifetime - that means one person in most average families. Depression and anxiety are a ‘normal’ part of life and Christians are not exempt from it; many of the Psalms seem to circle around themes of depression, anxiety, guilt and fear but despite this fact, there can be a huge stigma around mental health problems for Christians, who might feel that their faith is supposed to have sorted all that out. I think King David who wrote Psalm 38 had no such issue!
‘All my longings lie open before you O Lord, my sighing is not hidden from you. My heart pounds, my strength fails me, even the light has gone from my eyes. My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds, my neighbours stay far away…...I have become like a man who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply. I wait for you O Lord, you will answer O Lord my God.’
Psalm 38
There is a raw refreshing honesty in the Psalms that should encourage us all.
Lonely
Let’s be honest. Many people in church struggle with constant anxiety, sleeplessness, depression - torment of mind, panic attacks, weariness, listlessness, aches and pains, persistent battles with illnesses, obsessional thoughts, fears, fear that they will hurt someone, guilt, feelings of separation from God, fear of having committed the ‘unforgiveable sin’, and suffering in this way can be a lonely experience.
Expectations & Fears
Christians expectations about how they should behave and react to life because of their faith can leave them feeling they are somehow ‘substandard’ christians if they experience depression, struggle, and doubt. In fact it is often the apparent ‘copers’ in life, the ‘strong ones’ who never admit to feeling vulnerable that end up battling with depression because they have not always learned how to process feelings in healthy ways.
FOOD, REST, HONESTY, COMPANY AND THE PRESENCE OF GOD
Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. 1 Kings 1:19:
“I have had enough, LORD”
Have you ever felt like that? 1 Kings 19 tells the story of Elijah, a prophet who runs out of steam. After a series of dramatic miracles, encounters with God and tricky experiences Elijah finds himself on the run and becomes so depressed he wants to die. God meets him in the desert and tends to his needs; he is fed, he sleeps, has an encounter with God, is allowed to spill out all his complaints and is told that there are (7000!) people around him who are still loyal to God. God seems to have read the ‘mental health care manual’ and cares for Elijah in a beautiful way! Perhaps you too are in need of these simple things, food, rest, honesty, company and the Presence of God?
Healing Communities
Bear one another’s burdens, in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. Galatians 6.
We shouldn’t underestimate the power of loving community. All the research backs up the need for community, and non judgemental love and support. Two thirds of people with mental health problems say they are lonely most or all of the time. The church is a place where we can love one another and walk together. We can teach, encourage and equip one another to follow Christ fully. This means not just carrying each other, but also empowering, nurturing faith, challenging mindsets, reminding of truth, and encouraging one another to go on the Wholeness Course! Our community life should be a place where the presence of God is sought after and felt regularly. Worship helps us to re-connect with God. Faith filled prayer for healing and deliverance can be part of normal life.
Authenticity
Can our mid-week groups be places of openness and honesty where people feel safe to share struggles and doubts as much as success and stories of faith? Can they be places where we encourage one another to access mental health services and see the doctor when needed, but at the same time be places of hope and faith, orientated around the truth that Jesus sets people free? We believe that mental health is the domain of the church and we believe there is hope for those who are suffering. If you are interested in joining one of our groups do follow the link here.
Peace
Peace is the ‘birth-right’ of every Christian. Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”. He promises to show us how to carry the burdens of life and manage our self esteem. He gives us access to the unconditional love of God; simple enough for a child to receive, broad enough to encompass all hurt, deep enough for any wound.
My hope is that church is a place to go to, not just for acceptance and support (in a world that often shuns and isolates people with problems) but also to be taught how to live well, healthily, and to be liberated. Our aim is to express more love, authenticity and peace as we journey together. Jesus said he had come to give us access to ‘life in all its fulness’ ( John 10: 10) let’s take him at his word and let him show us what that really looks like!
Clare Thompson, Pastor Woodlands Church Bristol