Why the Church Needs to Address Mental Health
I had planned to post something different today but felt compelled to share this instead.
While there are many trending headlines that fill the news these days, perhaps a less known story is one I came across this week and was heartbroken to read further details about last night.
On July 17, Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya, a Russian-Australian Olympic figure skater, fell to her death from a sixth-floor window. She left behind a note which read, “Lyublyu” (I love). According to reports, she was diagnosed with epilepsy earlier this year. She also suffered from depression.
While the circumstances of my story are much different, it wasn’t long ago that I went through a fierce battle with postpartum depression and anxiety. The mental torment can be a frighteningly deep valley and I’m not sure how my story would have turned out had I not been ushered through that dark pit by the Good Shepherd.
There were several times I thought I was going to die. Between the multitude of painful physical symptoms coupled with mental anguish, I feared I might have a terminal illness. And at other times, it felt like I was crawling straight through the fiery pit of Hell and didn’t know how I would survive one more day.
But my miracle children were my motivators and my faith in God was my anchor.
And by the Grace of God, I made it through.
While the details are still unfolding, when news pop-ups like a young 20-year-old taking her last breath in such a tragic way, I reminded of how important it is that we don’t ignore the mental health issues.
Dear Church, we must do better at addressing mental health. We’ve been much too quiet for far too long. Yet we have a Hope that those hurting desperately need. We know the Savior and Healer who died to set captives free.
Depression
Anxiety
Eating Disorders
All forms of self-harm…
Is there not hope that with Jesus those enslaved to such things can experience freedom? Are we not to be the Hands and Feet of Jesus to a world crying help?
The dark can get overwhelmingly dark and if it were as simple as just deciding to not be depressed, anxious, fill in the blank—then there wouldn’t be so many souls struggling. There can be various contributing factors from chemical imbalances to genetics to deeply seeded wounds to influences from society…and it takes time and the proper support to work through the layers and heal.
Are we willing to listen to those hurting? Are we willing to educate ourselves to know how we can better help? Are we willing to show up when needed?
I write these words today as someone who knows the mental battles, finding to the courage to keep telling my story one word at time so that someone else can have the Hope that saved my life.
And I pray for those grieving over the loss of Ekaterina. I pray for her dear mother who was hospitalized for shock after finding out about her daughter’s death. I pray my heart would be tender to the needs of those around me. And I pray that as The Church, we would rise up and be a voice of much-needed hope.
*If you are struggling, know you don’t have to suffer in silence. Reach out for help. While I’m not a trained professional in this area, I am glad to pray if you let me know by using the private contact form or you are welcome to leave a comment if you feel comfortable doing so. There are also a variety of articles on this site that might be of encouragement to you. There is a way forward.
Thanks for speaking out Hannah. I agree that stigmas need to be eliminated, and talking about mental health is the first step. I know that our God is powerful and present to us. I also believe that there is a time and place for medication, when needed, and that there should not be shame associated with taking medication, though there are plenty of shame messages out there.
Medication does not take the place of all the healthy choices we make, like praying, meditating, authentically connecting with others, or exercising, but it does help the impact of those choices to “stick” more, to be more rooted in our every day lives. An analogy is someone with asthma who gets an inhaler; using the inhaler does not make the person healthy, but it enables them to do the activities and exercises that make them healthy.
Thank you again for encouraging awareness of mental health.
Mental health issues are stigmatized in our culture in general, and sadly as well within the Church. There certainly should be no shame in reaching out for help in the various forms available, while also knowing that it’s not one-size-fits-all. I’m preaching as much to myself when I say we’d all do well to extend more mercy and grace than judgement to those hurting. Jesus ministered to the hurting during His earthly ministry and we need to as well.
I appreciate you sharing your heart and thoughts, Liz. 💕
Yes!
So important to talk about. Blessings Kara!