Moses – a great prophet and lawgiver throughout his life – suffered from anger issues, anxiety, depression and doubt.
We can identify with his despair when he cried out to God, “What shall I do for this people?” (Exodus 17:4)
While acknowledging he had his hands full, I would talk to Moses about getting help with his mental health.
Suffering from mental health issues is a taboo subject; we do not want to talk about it. As humans, from time-to-time, we suffer physical ailments and we can suffer mental stress. There is nothing to be ashamed about suffering from depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD or other mental illness. It can happen to anyone at any time.
The good news is it is treatable.
The State of Mental Health in America 2022 report estimated 1-in-5 adults (50 million) experienced a mental illness sometime in the past year. Of this, most goes untreated. The pandemic has increased the problem and 1-in-4 adults who suffer reported they did not or could not receive treatment.
Even youth and children suffer from depression. Over 2.5 million youth in the U.S. have severe depression. Of this, 60 percent do not receive any mental health treatment.
The numbers for all ages continue to grow. As mental health needs rise, community helpers struggle to respond.
In North Carolina, the report found only Graham and Gates County had no mental health providers.
What this means is no matter how big or small your church or faith community is, chances are someone – maybe even the person in the pew next to you – is suffering.
I often remind folks the words Paul shared with the church in Corinth, “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26).
Years ago, I was at a meeting with ministers from different denominations. It was a small group and the speaker was a gifted minister who served a large church. He spoke about his bouts of depression and how he saw his doctor and was treated for it.
What a freeing moment this was for me. I remembered all the times I had worried about things and struggled with Jesus’ word not to worry about tomorrow.
Struggling with mental health symptoms is not evidence of sin or punishment in your life. It means you may have an illness and need treatment, just as you would for a physical illness.
Yes, I believe in the power of prayer, but seeking help could be part of God’s plan. Jesus healed a man and said, “No one sinned, but his healing was to glorify God.” When we seek healing and are healed, it glorifies God and we can say, “Praise God.”
It is our calling and responsibility to minister to those in pain – physical and mental. If you are struggling you are not alone.
Please call 211 or Vaya Health, at (800) 849-6127; Appalachian Community Services Western North Carolina, at (888) 315-2880; or the National Alliance on Mental Illness, at (800) 950-6264.
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is the pastor of Robbinsville United Methodist Church and can be reached via email, ereece@wnccumc.net.