Christian Perspective: Dealing with Depression and Mental Health

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It's completely acceptable for a Christian to experience depression or mental health issues. Seeking help, counseling, or support services is encouraged, and it aligns with the essence of Christianity to prioritize mental well-being alongside spiritual well-being.

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Its Okay! P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Is it okay for a Christian to have depression or mental health problems? to seek help or counseling for depression or a mental health problem? to seek help for a Christian brother or sister dealing with depression or mental health problems? P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Three-part Series on the Church (Christians) and Mental Health Issues P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Session One: Jesus the Wonderful Counselor P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Background: The facts about mental illness and depression P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness* (NAMI), approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. 43.8 million, or 18.5 percent experiences mental illness in a given year. *Geneva College Blog Dec. 18, 2018 P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Approximately 1 in 25 adults in the U.S. 9.8 million, or 4 percent experiences a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

18.1 percent of adults in the U.S. experienced an anxiety disorder such as posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive- compulsive disorder and/or specific phobias. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

NAMIs findings indicate that 6.9 percent of adults in the U.S., or 16 million people, had at least one major depressive episode in the past year. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

*These statistics are all pre-pandemic P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

The picture is similar for those in the Christian community also * *LifeWay Research P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Approximately three out of four pastors (75%) said they knew at least one family member, friend, or congregant who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

74 percent said they knew someone diagnosed with clinical depression. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

57 percent said they knew at least three people who fell into the clinical depression category. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

A Quick Look at Mental and Behavioral Health issues among African Americans:* *U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Poverty level affects mental health status. African Americans living below the poverty level, as compared to those over twice the poverty level, are twice as likely to report psychological distress. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

In 2017, suicide was the second leading cause of death for African Americans, ages 15 to 24. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

The death rate from suicide for African American men was more than four times greater than for African American women, in 2017. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

African American females, grades 9-12, were 70 percent more likely to attempt suicide in 2017, as compared to non-Hispanic white females of the same age. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

The Question: How should Christians, the church, the Christian community, and also the African American community deal with mental health issues? P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Lets go to the source of all our help: Jesus the Master teacher P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Jesus teaches us through His words and instructions through His life and actions P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

The Old Testament prophet foresees Him as the Wonderful Counselor. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Isaiah 9:6 . . . and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Matthew 4:23-24 P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Matthew 4:23-24 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with diverse diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

and he healed them. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Things to note: All manner of disease Diverse diseases and torments Sickness in three areas Spiritual possessed with devils Mental lunatic Physical palsy P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

They brought unto Him Recognized the need Sought help They openly brought them No concern about stigma They were welcome to bring them P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Jesus medical clinic was open to all and as far as we can see no one was turned away regardless of their condition or illness. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Lets focus in on those with mental health issues (referred to here as lunatic ) P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Use of the term lunatic Probably a common term in that day People understood what Matthew referred to People probably did not understand the disease P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Synonyms for lunatic eccentric, bizarre, fanatical, idiotic, whacky, weird, irrational, crazy, and mad Often we use words to classify, categorize, and stigmatize others P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Note that Jesus never used the term lunatic in referring to people; He never used terms that classified or categorized people except to teach a lesson. Jesus looked at everyone with love, compassion, and concern. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

It appears that mental illness was not uncommon in New Testament times and it certainly is not uncommon now. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

It is just as acceptable (It s Okay) to seek help for mental health issues as it is for physical disease or injury. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

and he healed them all. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Jesus clinic was not for broken legs only He healed them all! P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

All illness can be healed including mental illness P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Seek professional help for mental health issues just as you would for a broken leg . P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .

Dont be ashamed to seek professional help for mental health problems in your life or the life of a friend or loved one. P R E P A R E D B Y P A S T O R R I C H A R D J . M C C A I N , S R .