Written by Chaplain Stephanie

October 10th is World Mental Health Day. The objective of this day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. Unfortunately, there are a lot of misunderstandings about mental health and it is up to each of us to be informed so we can decrease the stigma associated with mental illness. Here are two common misconceptions of mental illness (click here for more myths and facts about mental illness: https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/myths-and-facts)

Myth: Living with a mental illness is a personal fault or failing.

Myth: Mental illness can be solved by “trying harder” and people can “snap out of it” if they really work at it.

Because one in five American adults experiences a mental health condition each year, I would guess that many of us either live with a mental illness or care about someone who does. As people of faith, how can we all work together to decrease the stigma of mental illness and help people live lives of wholeness and wellness? We can look to Jesus’ example of how to treat people who are ill or marginalized by society.

Jesus saw the person not the illness. He called people by name; he didn’t label them. He saw each individual’s worth and value as a child of God.

Jesus engaged in conversation with people and listened to them.

As Jesus healed people they were restored to life within the community. No longer were they cast out as “unclean” and forced to live on the margins of society.

Many people who live with mental illness are isolated; they feel unseen and unheard, with nothing to contribute to their communities. We can all make a difference by following the example of Jesus. We can strive to look at people and see their humanity as a beloved child of God. We can work to pay attention, to engage in conversation and to listen well. And we can work to build communities where each person’s gifts are valued. As Malcolm X said, “When I is replaced with we, even illness becomes wellness”. We need each other, connected in community, to live lives of wellness. Let’s do our part to end the stigma of mental illness and help each other live the abundant lives God intended for us.