Helping those with mental illness

Naomi Osaka, a professional tennis player withdrew from the French Open citing mental health. Michael Phelps, a former Olympian who holds 23 gold medals has long been open about his struggles with depression. Simone Biles, a U.S. gymnast in this summers Olympics, withdrew from one of the events to focus on her mental health. As someone who takes an interest in sports, I find these public admissions very fascinating. As this pandemic has stretched out, more and more people are talking about mental health.

I have to admit that I am thankful for the growing focus on issues of mental health. I have family who have suffered from mental illness. For that matter, I have had my own battles with anxiety. The reality is that millions of people struggle with mental illness at some point in their life. Even further, the families and friends of those diagnosed, also suffer. It is a great heart ache for a parent to watch their child suffer with mental illness. What is also difficult is that mental illnesses take on so many different forms, and the treatments are very complex.

Due to this complexity, if you or someone you know is suffering with mental illness, then you are strongly encouraged to seek professional help. After seeking professional help, the rest of us can also play a part. Those who are suffering need our love and support. A look at an episode in the life of Elijah helps us to see what this looks like.

Elijah was a very famous prophet in the Old Testament. He had some amazing experiences in life such that we would think that he would be on top of the world. Yet right after one of his greatest moments, he finds himself facing the wrath of Jezebel the Queen of Israel at the time. Jezebel was furious at Elijah’s victories and so issued a death threat on him. Elijah, was so distraught by this that he ran for his life. When he reached the edge of the desert he walked another days journey into the wilderness where he eventually found a juniper tree. After crawling under the tree, he told God that he didn’t want to live anymore. I am sure many of us have experienced despair. Perhaps we can’t all relate to his desire for his own death, but feeling scared, alone, and without hope are feelings that we all encounter.

Some of us more traditional folks might think that the best thing to do is tell Elijah to get up and get over it. But this is not what God does. With Elijah down and out laying under a juniper tree in the middle of the desert, God sends an angel to care for him. The angel wakes Elijah up, and the only thing he does is encourage him to eat. When Elijah does wake up, he sees beside himself a bread cake and water. So he eats, drinks then lays down again. This cycle repeats. Nothing else is said. What a lesson for us. Those suffering with mental illness need to focus on the basics. Taking care of your body’s most basic needs is critical. People suffering don’t need a speech, they don’t need more stress, they don’t need your judgment. Let the professionals do their thing, but otherwise, they need food, water, exercise and plenty of rest.

After the basics, and a little bit of a journey, Elijah stops and rests in a cave. It is here that God finally speaks to him. Elijah watches as a strong wind passes by; then there is an earthquake, followed by fire, and finally a gentle blowing. God was in none of the big events as we would expect, but rather was in the gentle blowing. We can read into this a bit, and see that God is reaching out to Elijah, and in his conversation with him is being “gentle”. He knows that Elijah would be too easily overwhelmed, so he speaks to him in the gentle blowing. We should do the same for those suffering from mental illness. We need to be sensitive to their needs. We need to be gentle with them. God’s message to Elijah was one of calm assurance. He also reminded Elijah that he was not alone. What a great example for us on how we can help others.

Probably the greatest lesson in all of this, is that when we are down and out like Elijah, or if someone we know is suffering, it helps to remember that God is good and that He loves us, even in the darkest of days. All we need to do is actually turn to Him and acknowledge His presence.

Mark McCready, Senior Pastor, Alma Bible Church