I've attached part of an article below by Jim Van Vurst, O.F.M. entitled, “Mental Illness—A Christian Response.” I believe you will find it to be informative and challenging in our response as Christians to offer compassion and love toward people with mental illnesses.
Jesus was quick to share the Good News with every person, reminding them of two things: 1) God loves them regardless of the circumstances of their lives and 2) he, Jesus, will show them God’s compassion and heal all who seek his help. Many healings were not just of physical illness, but also of emotional and mental sickness.
The one commandment that Jesus gave was that all who call themselves his disciples must love God and love their neighbor as themselves. The history of the Church is filled with men and women who dedicated their lives to caring for the sick and who built hospitals for those who couldn’t care for themselves.
There is an unfortunate stigma attached to anyone with mental illness. Those who don’t understand or who are afraid may say, often in frustration, “Oh, just shape up and pull yourself together.” But they don’t realize that a serious depression is emotionally paralyzing and physically restrictive. They can’t see that people with deep phobias and anxieties experience such lack of control over their emotions that all they can do is hide and hang on for dear life. It’s an unfair stigma to be sure, and such accusations come from individuals who are either frightened of mental illness or just don’t know what else to say. They may misjudge such persons as weak characters who have no gumption or self-esteem or who are just looking for ways to make other people take care of them. Nothing could be further from the truth.
We cannot forget or overlook the burden on so many individuals and families who love someone who is mentally ill. No one knows what families go through in trying to help their loved ones recover. It hurts terribly to see a loved one suffer mentally and emotionally. Fears, frustrations and a sense of helplessness tear at their hearts and strain relationships and resources.
With the availability of the Internet, there are hundreds of Web sites and support groups specifically dedicated to helping individuals and families deal with illnesses like bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, anorexia and Alzheimer’s.
What about us? Our best attitude is that of Christ toward the physically and mentally ill: respect and compassion. We must pray for those who experience illness and for those who care for them. The image that comes to mind is that of a person caring for another with Jesus kneeling beside them, holding the towel. Such caregivers are not alone.
Church of San Martin in Frómista
Interior of San Martin Church.
Wild roses growing along the Camino.
The National Institute of Mental Health’s Web site (www.nimh.nih.gov) lists detailed statistics for mental illness in the United States. An estimated 26 percent of American adults (58 million) suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year. In fact, nearly half of these suffer from multiple disorders.
The NIMH studies found the largest number of people (40 million adults) suffer from anxiety disorders. These include various degrees of anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and phobias.
The second-largest group (about 21 million adults) suffers from mood disorders including depression (15 million) and bipolar reactions (6 million). A smaller number suffer from schizophrenia and its variations (2.4 million). Add to this the growing numbers affected by Alzheimer’s disease, eating disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism. In all, it’s a story of great suffering, not just for the victims, but also for those who care for, live with and love them.
The NIMH studies found the largest number of people (40 million adults) suffer from anxiety disorders. These include various degrees of anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and phobias.
The second-largest group (about 21 million adults) suffers from mood disorders including depression (15 million) and bipolar reactions (6 million). A smaller number suffer from schizophrenia and its variations (2.4 million). Add to this the growing numbers affected by Alzheimer’s disease, eating disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism. In all, it’s a story of great suffering, not just for the victims, but also for those who care for, live with and love them.
The Faith Perspective
What is the Christian response to mental illness? We believe that every person is a creation of a loving God. There’s not one person whom God loves less than another. God is, after all, love itself, and love is what God does. Neither mental nor physical illness is a punishment from God, though in a time of suffering, it’s common for a person to ask, “What did I do to deserve this?” It’s a question that has been asked as long as there has been suffering.
We know God, who gave us life, can’t take his eyes off of us. We profess that every time we recite the creed: “We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God...[who] was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.” The Son of God became small enough to set foot on this earth and become one of us. Imagine, God in the flesh left footprints and fingerprints on earth!
What is the Christian response to mental illness? We believe that every person is a creation of a loving God. There’s not one person whom God loves less than another. God is, after all, love itself, and love is what God does. Neither mental nor physical illness is a punishment from God, though in a time of suffering, it’s common for a person to ask, “What did I do to deserve this?” It’s a question that has been asked as long as there has been suffering.
We know God, who gave us life, can’t take his eyes off of us. We profess that every time we recite the creed: “We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God...[who] was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.” The Son of God became small enough to set foot on this earth and become one of us. Imagine, God in the flesh left footprints and fingerprints on earth!
Jesus entered a world of suffering, sickness and death. In fact, the Gospels reveal a savior who never shied away from the sick and suffering but rather went out to meet them. The Gospels record 33 miracles, most concerning healing and bringing people back to health and life. If people couldn’t find him, Jesus sought them out. In fact, he seemed most comfortable with those who were considered outcasts and sinners, even eating with them, sharing food from the same bowl. This caused religious leaders to criticize and reject him.
Jesus was quick to share the Good News with every person, reminding them of two things: 1) God loves them regardless of the circumstances of their lives and 2) he, Jesus, will show them God’s compassion and heal all who seek his help. Many healings were not just of physical illness, but also of emotional and mental sickness.
The one commandment that Jesus gave was that all who call themselves his disciples must love God and love their neighbor as themselves. The history of the Church is filled with men and women who dedicated their lives to caring for the sick and who built hospitals for those who couldn’t care for themselves.
There is an unfortunate stigma attached to anyone with mental illness. Those who don’t understand or who are afraid may say, often in frustration, “Oh, just shape up and pull yourself together.” But they don’t realize that a serious depression is emotionally paralyzing and physically restrictive. They can’t see that people with deep phobias and anxieties experience such lack of control over their emotions that all they can do is hide and hang on for dear life. It’s an unfair stigma to be sure, and such accusations come from individuals who are either frightened of mental illness or just don’t know what else to say. They may misjudge such persons as weak characters who have no gumption or self-esteem or who are just looking for ways to make other people take care of them. Nothing could be further from the truth.
We cannot forget or overlook the burden on so many individuals and families who love someone who is mentally ill. No one knows what families go through in trying to help their loved ones recover. It hurts terribly to see a loved one suffer mentally and emotionally. Fears, frustrations and a sense of helplessness tear at their hearts and strain relationships and resources.
With the availability of the Internet, there are hundreds of Web sites and support groups specifically dedicated to helping individuals and families deal with illnesses like bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, anorexia and Alzheimer’s.
What about us? Our best attitude is that of Christ toward the physically and mentally ill: respect and compassion. We must pray for those who experience illness and for those who care for them. The image that comes to mind is that of a person caring for another with Jesus kneeling beside them, holding the towel. Such caregivers are not alone.
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Pictures from today.
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Another picture of San Martin from a different angle.
Statue of Mary and baby Jesus inside San Martin.
A beautiful rose.
A heart made by a pilgrim.
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