5 Mental Health Facts Every Christian Should Know

5 Mental Health Facts Every Christian Should Know

Unfortunately, many Christians are not knowledgeable about mental health issues. Rather than taking the time to understand them, they either shrug them off or see them as “sins.” If we, as Christians, are actually going to help others, we have to be knowledgeable about mental health. As someone who struggles with mental health, I cannot stress enough how much the church and Christian community is lacking in their knowledge and understanding of mental health issues.

Those within the church and Christian community are simply not equipped to help those who struggle with mental health. This is something that needs to change if believers are actually going to reach all people. The Lord has given us the Great Commission, which entails that we go out to all people and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). This means that we have to help those struggling, especially those who struggle with mental health, whether they are believers or not.

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  • a sad woman, should Christians think of themselves as worthless?

    1. Mental Health Does Not Have a “Look”

    One mental health fact that everyone should know is that mental health does not have a “look.” Many people think a person has to look a certain way in order to have mental health issues. This could not be further from the truth. Mental health does not discriminate as it can affect anyone of any age, any gender, and any socioeconomic status. In this way, we can see that mental health does not have a look nor does it only affect a certain type of people. 

    In the cases of eating disorders, depression, and anxiety, many people think a person struggling with one of these illnesses would look a certain way, but this is not true. A person can struggle with an eating disorder, depression, or anxiety even if they look healthy and are functioning in society. You should never just assume anyone is okay, as those who struggle with mental health issues try not to push their problems on others. In this way, we learn to cope with our illnesses, thus blending in with those around us.

    Instead of shrugging off someone because they don’t look a certain way, ask them how they are actually doing. Ask everyone within your church or your circle and truly be genuine in listening to them. Many of us who struggle with mental health tend to hide our struggles or not share them with others until we are comfortable with the person and trust them. Therefore, even if a person does not disclose their struggles, it does not mean they are not struggling. Rather, it just means they are not comfortable sharing their feelings and struggles yet.

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    2. Mental Health Is Not a Sin Problem

    A second mental health fact everyone should know is that mental health struggles are not a sin problem. Sadly, many Christians treat mental illness as a sin problem. Yet again, this is not true. Mental health struggles exist in the world because we live in a fallen world, but mental health issues themselves are not sins. Having an eating disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or any other mental health concern is not a sin. Rather, they are mental health issues that need to be treated, helped, and supported.

    If you are someone who struggles with mental health issues and someone has told you it is a sin problem, know that you are not alone. Most of us who are involved in the church often get demonized for struggling with mental health issues. This alone can cause many of us to hide our struggles or distance ourselves from those who make these ignorant and unbiblical comments. Despite what you have been told, know that your mental health issues are not sin problems. They are complex mental health issues that deserve proper help. 

    In no way are mental health struggles related to sin. If the Christian community continues to live in a way that promotes the idea that mental illness is connected to sin, then we are never going to make any progress in helping those who are struggling. Rather than continuing to believe this lie, we need to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the lost world. A key part of this is being there for our loved ones and supporting them as they face mental health struggles.

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  • anxiety anxious tunnel sad depression mental health

    3. Nobody Can Be Defined by Their Mental Health Issues

    A third mental health fact everyone should know is that nobody can be defined by their mental health issues. As I have shared formally, I also struggle with various mental health issues. Due to my struggles with mental health issues, many people only associate me with my struggles instead of just associating me with being me. Believers need to stop doing this. Just because someone struggles with a mental health issue does not mean they are defined by it. 

    Never referred to someone as “the depressed one,” “the anorexic one,” or “the anxious one.” Any of these references can be very hurtful to a person. Instead of referring to someone in such hurtful ways, refer to them by their name. I personally have been referred to as all of these references, and I can attest they are very hurtful. Christians need to recognize that nobody should be defined by their mental health issues. Yes, it is true that I struggle with mental health issues, but I am not my illness. In the same way, if you struggle with mental health issues, know you are not defined by your illness either—you are you.

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  • a woman sitting in a church, Bringing sin to light is not a distraction from the church's mission

    4. A Christian Can Struggle with Their Mental Health

    A fourth mental health fact everyone should know is that Christians can struggle with their mental health. Closely connected to an earlier point, many people within the Christian community believe the false notion that mental health issues are sin problems, but they also believe that if a person struggles with mental health issues, then that means they are not actually a Christian. Once again, this is not true and very unbiblical. Anyone can struggle with their mental health, including Christians. It does not help anyone if you accuse people of not being true Christians if they struggle with mental health issues.

    Christians can struggle with their mental health. Just because we are believers does not mean we are immune to the effects of the fallen world. I’ve had mental health struggles far before I became a believer, and they did not go away once I became a believer. Rather, all of my mental health concerns have remained despite knowing Jesus as my Lord and Savior. With this in mind, Christians need to understand that it is not sinful for someone to struggle with their mental health, and they also need to know that Christians can struggle with their mental health just like anyone else. Struggling with your mental health does not make you less of a Christian, nor does it mean you are lacking in faith.

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  • Son comforting a father

    5. Those with Mental Health Struggles Deserve Help, Love, and Support

    A fifth mental health fact everyone should know is that those who struggle with mental health deserve help, love, and support. This needs to be stressed to all people because, sadly, not many Christians are helping in the cause of mental health. Mental health needs to stop being a taboo subject. Just as physical health is important to our overall well-being, so is our mental health. If our mental health struggles, our entire health will struggle.

    This is why those who struggle with their mental health deserve help, love, and support. As Christians, this is what we should already be doing to both believers and the lost. We are supposed to be the hands and feet of Christ, not only to the lost world but also to our brothers and sisters in Christ. As one individual believer, there is much you can do to help those surrounding you. Get involved with a mental health organization, donate to a mental health charity, or simply reach out to the loved ones in your life.

    If you are already familiar with someone who struggles with their mental health, give them a call and see if they want to meet up. Spend some time with them and allow them to share their feelings with you if they are comfortable. If you are someone who struggles with mental health issues, try to reach out to trusted loved ones in your life who know what you are going through. If this is not an option for you, try to reach out to a nonprofit to help you in your time of need. 

    A few organizations that specialize in mental health are To Write Love on Her Arms, National Alliance for Eating Disorders, and The Depression Project. Know that you are not alone and help is out there. Even if you cannot afford care right now, many organizations provide low-cost support to ensure all people get the help they need. No matter how you feel today, rest in the truth that you are not alone, and God is always beside you (Psalm 23). God is always ready to hear from you, and He wants to surround you with His love.

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    Vivian Bricker author bio photoVivian Bricker loves Jesus, studying the Word of God, and helping others in their walk with Christ. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master's degree in Christian Ministry with a deep academic emphasis in theology. Her favorite things to do are spending time with her family and friends, reading, and spending time outside. When she is not writing, she is embarking on other adventures.