Awhile back Mark Brown of Brownblog asked me to write two blog posts: one about how you grow your faith as a person with a mental illness, which he published awhile back, and one about what churches can do to help those who suffer from mental illness. This second article has been much more challenging to write.
Granted, it's been several years since I've stood up in the middle of a homily and walked out: the priest going on and on about how the faithful should flock to the confessional instead of a psychologist's office because the real battle is fought in the soul, and a bunch of diagnoses and medication prescriptions only legitimize the behaviors and thought patterns that we should regard as sins. But I haven't really heard anyone address it. And that could be just as bad.
No. Wait. The going to hell stuff was worse. But it would be refreshing to hear the word "anxiety" in church other than the prayer that follows the Our Father: "In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ."
Here, then, are just a few ways that churches might begin to help those who suffer from mental illness.
1. Get educated.
One of the members of Group Beyond Blue, recently started a discussion thread called "Church + Mental Illness" and posted the thoughts of John Clayton, a well-respected author and speaker who was interestingly enough a devout atheist until his early twenties. He wrote this:
The first thing the Church and its leadership must do is become educated about the mentally ill. Education will remove misconceptions, fear, and prejudice. There are many in the Church that can help us in this education, especially those in our Christian schools and in our larger congregations who are full-time psychologists and psychiatrists. The worst mistake we can make is to expect preachers and elders to be able to solve all the problems the mentally ill and their loved ones have. Doing this is analogous to expecting a preacher to do bypass surgery, and the damage done can be equivalent.
It can be as easy as browsing some mental health websites, like Psych Central, MentalHealth.com, Web MD, Revolution Health, and Everyday Health; checking out nonprofit groups such as NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) or DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance), and others; visiting a library to see what kinds of literature they have available on mental illness; attending a lecture by an expert in the field at a nearby college; tuning into one of the top 10 psychology videos found on YouTube.com; visiting an expert's website or blog; and finally, making an appointment to speak to a psychiatrist or psychologist in the area.
2. Talk about it.
As I said in my introduction, I'm disappointed that I don't hear more about the problem of depression and anxiety in sermons today. I mean, if the landmark survey of over 9,000 people in 2005 published in the Archives of General Psychiatry was accurate in reporting that one in four adults have symptoms of at least one mental disorder each year--typically anxiety and depression--and that nearly half of all Americans suffer from a mental disorder at some point during their lifetime, with only a third of those seeking help, half of which are incorrectly diagnosed, than there are a lot of people in our world that are suffering. Why not address it from the pulpit?
3. Host a support group.
A church is a natural place to host a support group for those gripped by anxiety or depression. Some churches do host such groups, but they don't mention it in the Sunday bulletin or on the church website--because so many of these are started by an outsider to the church--so most members of the church don't have a clue it's going on. There are church groups for widows, singles, young adults, even young moms. Why not host one for folks and/or the family of people dealing with mental illness, and publicize it in the bulletin, on the website, and in flyers visible to the congregation as they enter for worship?
4. Provide literature.
NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) and other nonprofits are usually happy to provide free brochures to churches, doctors' offices, wellness centers, or any location that would like them handy for folks to pick up on their way in and out of these places. Moreover, most churches have a library of donated books. Why not have available in the library a resource or two for people who want to learn more about depression, anxiety, or another mental illness. For a list of good staples, see my post on recommended books. Churches could even provide a book group for those who want to learn more about mood disorders and discuss related problems.
5. Hold a special service.
A few days ago, Beyond Blue reader Glenn Slaby and his family talked to a few priests at St. Pat's Cathedral about holding a special service for the intention of those persons and their families suffering from mental illness. I thought it was a beautiful idea. In fact, it reminded me of Old St. Pat's in Chicago that holds a Valentine's Day service for all the couples who have met through the church.
To visit my post on BrownBlog, click here.
To read more Beyond Blue, go to http://blog.beliefnet.com/beyondblue, and to get to Group Beyond Blue, a support group at Beliefnet Community, click here.
To subscribe to "Beyond Blue" click here.
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Barbara, thank you for your kindness, and Your Name also. Thank you both. I do currently take medication for the bipolar disorder and the anxiety. I used to be in counseling, but that didn't help me, as I think the counselor was treating me as just one more patient, one more file in the filing cabinet. I understand how any counselor or therapist, psychiatrist, or any other professional could become indifferent to the patients they see. Some level of detachment is needed, for maintaining a professional relationship, and probably their own sanity! But it's that indifference to the patient's pain that drove me to stop seeing my counselor. I don't need someone pretending to care about me and my problems. I don't need someone to judge me even while they're sitting there listening to me pour out my soul to them. I'm more than capable of judging myself. And yes, I did try to develop a relationship with God, or however you want to refer to him/ her. I tried prayer, but it's difficult, after awhile, to keep praying to someone or something you don't feel is there. The bible, and the people at church, say that you shouldn't base your beliefs, your faith, on feelings. I'm sorry, but I can't do that, I can't disregard my feelings. If I feel something to be true, then I have to go with those feelings, wherever they guide me. I think there's more reliability and truth in what I feel than there is in some book that was written thousands of years before I was even born, by people I never met. At least I know where my feelings come from, I look at this person every time I look into a mirror. I know myself better than some dead guy who wrote something down three thousand years before I came waltzing along. If God is real, and wants to talk with me, why the subterfuge? Why not give me something that leaves no room for doubt? Then, at least I'd know he was real, and could decide from there where to go.
I'm so glad to see something on Beliefnet about Mental Illness and the church. I am a single mom and for the past 14 years have raised my bipolar son on my own. For too many years than I wish to remember I had the why him?, why me?, why us? syndrome. Three solid days and nights of prayer brought me God's answer. With his answer my son and I have formed a nonprofit organization that brings awareness to bipolar disorder (along with other mental illnesses and issues) through the arts.
I went to my pastor excited and elated that God answered my prayer. I asked if I could please have a fundraiser on the church property to get things rolling. I was turned down. When our church planted another, and was looking for ministries I went to this one, thinking surely, I would not be turned away again. I offered an after school art program (this is in a very depressed inner city area) for the children of the area, and wanted to hold a support group at the church once or twice a month depending upon need. Once again I was turned down.
Since then, my feelings toward my church have (not surprisingly) changed. I rarely go, although my faith has not been broken. To those who are bipolar, and to the families and caregivers who love them, I pray for you all - each and every day.
They say Satan strikes hardest when you're about to be blessed by God. Shortly after forming our organization (Artrageous Minds) I was involved in an awful car accident that took me out of commission for six months. Just as I was feeling up to the task at hand, my home was invaded and my computer, along with all of my contacts, business plan, information, etc etc - was stolen. And that wasn't enough for this thief. As soon as I had it replaced, he broke in and stole that one too. Being in the hardest hit area of this recession my son and I are among those who had to file bankrupt and will be losing our home.
My plans now? Well, I'm still hoping that through God's grace, we will be able to start a working art studio/gallery where we can have not only support groups, but also classes in creativity. This summer I am attending art fairs and selling my own artwork, in an attempt to raise money to get things going. At the end of the summer, we are planning a private benefit performance by a 90's rock star.
So I guess what I'm saying here is... I really do wish that the churches would educate themselves. My own church told me that me and my son should pray, and he'd be saved (cured) by Jesus. People are afraid of the term "bipolar". They are afraid of the words "mental illness". Rather than being afraid - I wish they would open their hearts to compassion.
Vincent, I meant to address you directly in my last post.
You are NOT alone in your thinking. Reading your words, I thought - oh, I've had this conversation before - with my own son. He too doesn't know what to feel, or how to feel about any higher power. He (very lightly) explored Buddhism and also tried going to my church's youth group services a few times, and also attending with me once or twice. He is not comfortable in that setting at all. Sometimes I feel that is my fault, that he has no faith. When he was young, I wouldn't take him anyplace that he'd have to sit quietly for any period of time, as I knew that would end up in a very loud disaster. Both of us now, are a little on the recluse side of the coin. I've alienated myself over that past 14 years simply by staying home with my son and caring for him, rather than going out after work, and having an adult social life. My son, with his anxieties has become the one afraid to spend much time in public, feeling that he is being judged by "everyone out there".
Still I pray though. I pray for him, and I'll add you to my prayers as well Vincent. I hope you'll visit my website and friend me. Take heart in knowing this if nothing else. You are NOT alone, and there are people out here who do care, and who do understand.
I MAY NOT HAVE FAMILY AND CLOSE FRIENDS HERE,I MAY LOOK ALONE BECAUSE
I DON'T GO TO SOCIAL FUNCTIONS AND ALL I DO IS TO TAKE SERIOUSLY MY
OBLIGATION AS A MOM OF 4 GIRLS,BUT I DON'T FEEL ALONE.I HAVE MY FAMILY
AND LOVE ONES WHO CALLS ME ON THE PHONE ASKING HOW I AM DOING,I CAN
PRAY TO GOD ANYTIME AND HE LISTENS TO ME.ALL I AM ASKING IS THE BLESSING OF A GOOD HEALTH TO ALL MY LOVE ONES AND I SEE IN THE NATURAL
THAT NOBODY GET SICK,THAT IS ENOUGH TO KEEP MY CONFIDENCE THAT GOD
LISTENS TO MY PRAYERS.WHATEVER OTHER ISSUES OR PROBLEMS LEFT UNANSWERED,I AM PATIENT TO WAIT FOR THE LORD.NO MATTER HOW BAD OUR
SITUATIONS IN LIFE,WHAT MATTERS MOST IS THE WAY YOU TAKE IT,I TAKE IT
AS A HARD LESSON LEARNED AND PRAY THAT GOD WILL MAKE MY PATH STRAIGHT
AND WORK TO MAKE MY LIFE WORTHLIVING AND TO LIVE A PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE EVERYDAY AS I LET GOD'S WILL INTO MY LIFE.
I am asking any of you readers to share with me and others if any of your friends or loved ones have hurt your feelings by being jealous that you live at home with your parent even though I am an adult. My mom and I are both on SSI so we are very low income. I have this friend from church who recently stated this comment about our singles guy leader who lives with his mom. She said we need to get out in the real world and pay 600 or 700 per month for rent. She is very cold hearted, bitter, and I think jealous of those who get a check from the government. It is not our fault we suffer from an mental illness.
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