What Approach Should The Church Have To Mental Health Issues?

As I review the various Churches that I have either visited or regularly attended in Westchester County New York, I have seen a wide variety of approaches to dealing with the mentally ill among them.  The Church is the world in microcosm, therefore it should come as no surprise to my readers that we will be called upon to deal with the the vast array of problems that exist in our world.  Many of us come to Church seeking a connection with God or the wisdom of the Bible, when we have experienced a crisis.  Indeed, Jesus made reaching out to those in trouble or living in turmoil the centerpiece of His Ministry.  In following Jesus' footsteps, a Church should make that their focus also.

Keeping that in mind, it is quite surprising to see that so many Churches can't handle some simple problems associated with mental illness.  A few examples may clarify my meaning. Michelle* was brought up in a wealthy home in a village overlooking the Hudson River.  Her stepfather was a well-known artist whose work was exhibited in New York City galleries.  Her life was enriched by the presence of world-renown artists and the NYC intellectual elite.  So when she entered a Church that I attended, suffice it to say she was the most presentable, articulate mentally ill person that the Church was likely to ever encounter.

According to Michelle, she was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder when her marriage ended.  She initially had some sort of "nervous breakdown" and was hospitalized.  A whole series of tragedies had already ensued before she walked through our Church doors.  Those tragedies included : losing custody of her two children, family estrangement and financial collapse.  Michelle came to Church seeking growth and change and claiming a personal relationship with Jesus.  She quickly had the leaders of the Women's Ministry washing her dishes, cooking her food and giving her "love donations."  This Churchs' approach went all out as regarded those "less fortunate" than themselves.  So when Michelle would claim that she was too depressed to cook or wash the dishes because of her "condition" the ladies thought only of the Biblical mandate to "carry one another's burdens" from Galatians 6:2.  Problem.  This went on and on and the women began neglecting their own responsibilities and were beginning to get burned-out helping Sister Michelle. Twenty dollars soon became fifty dollars and pretty soon the ladies were tithing to Sister Michelle! There seemed to be no end in sight.

At another Church, Rocky* stood out like a sore thumb.  In a Church whose standard was subdued, almost lethargic, Rocky's over-the-top praise and worship struck a sour note.  Eyebrows were raised and notes were taken.  This man possessed a thorough knowledge of the Bible and was a committed Christian but something was not quite right.  His reactions at Church seemed beyond enthusiastic, and the things he said and did sometimes didn't seem appropriate, such as the way he spoke to children.  Would you believe me if I told you that I even heard him howl like a wolf?  Yes, that is true.  How did he think that would go over at a born-again Church?  It gave me the vague notion of demonic possession and I am sure I am not alone.  However, what struck a sour note with me was when a self-promoted leader of the Church spoke about Rocky with a less than a charitable tone.  Even hinting that Rocky might not belong at the Church.

So, at lunch recently, the topic of what a godly approach to dealing with mental health issues arose.  My two companions (Kevin*&Frank*)  and I passionately discussed this topic. Our feelings ran the gamut of emotions from loving acceptance, helpfulness, to fear and caution.  That night I had a dream and I would like to share the dream and my thoughts on this topic.  This is the open letter which I sent to my two lunch companions the day after our lunch.

I dreamt of Brother Rocky last night

I dreamt of Brother Rocky last night.  I think the reason for that is because the three of us have
openly discussed some very difficult issues.  Kevin is generous but protective, he represents acting
with wisdom.  I, on the other hand, act from the heart with no thought to the consequences.  Is this why Jesus wants all people to be a part of His Body so, that all our complementary talents would help us work things through correctly?

A girl on my softball team had a schizophrenic mother.  I loved this little girl and was determined to help her through it.  Her mother was in and out of institutions throughout the years.  She would show up at my front door when she was an outpatient.  She would get it into her head to walk the mile from her parents home to my house and then forget where I lived.  Her medicine would make her forget a lot of things.  So, she would pace up and down my block until she would recall which house was mine.  One neighbor was annoyed and asked me why I was even talking to this lady.  That neighbor was a baptized born-again believer by the way.

Over the years, my family tried to lend a helping hand to this woman with schizophrenia.  My daughters clothes would fit her so when her clothes looked shabby we gave her some replacements from their closets and some handbags.  She would sometimes come to my house and have paranoid thoughts.  I would try to help her change her course of thinking.  Other times, it was clear that I needed to convince her to take her medicine or to call her counselor.

When she acted belligerent, it made my husband uncomfortable because he was concerned for my safety.  I always thought that I could manage things but when we as Christians choose to lovingly reach out to those in need, we must be ready to accept the possible consequences.  We would do best to pray and be prepared as a Church.  Often people with mental health issues are drawn to and regularly attend Church.  I have known quite a few : bipolar, schizophrenic and many, many depressed persons.  Some of them are healed by the power of Jesus Christ, others are in successful medical programs to treat their illness and some need intelligent and compassionate assistance.  By the way, this young girl's mother eventually started to attend Church in my community and more than a few atheists in town declared that Christianity was a place for the unstable.  I happily declared that
to be true.

Last night, I dreamt of Brother Rocky.  I dreamt that every morning when I came downstairs to have breakfast or in the evening when I wanted to relax that Brother Rocky was there playing mellow jazz tunes on a saxophone.  At first, it was enjoyable but then I wanted it to stop.  I was trying so hard to be patient but he just kept playing and playing.  Other times, in the dream, I was trying to talk to him about some sermons that we had both heard, but he would not listen.  I thought that my dream was about counting the costs of loving our neighbor.

So, let us lovingly serve and yet use our God-given intelligence to have some safety rules in place and godly bounderies.  Intelligence to understand when we are not helping but hurting.  Intelligence to understand when we need to call for medical assistance or when it is time to lead someone to a Church Ministry which can better meet their needs.  Let us learn to be patient and love the people around us who don't fit in so neatly into societal parameters of normalcy.  Let us assist families and uplift them so that they can better function as caregivers.  Jesus said in Luke 5:31 that, "the well have no need of a physician." Let us strive to be merciful as our Lord was.  I pray that you examine your thoughts as you read through this post.  Consider what your response to these issues would be should they arise in your life or at your Church.  Here are some Ministries which can help you explore this topic.  They will truly inspire you.
Ministries
1. bethanyhamilton.com
2. thechosenministry.org
3. faithinclusionnetwork.org
4. joniandfriends.org

*Some of the names and a few details have been changed to protect the innocent.