Information and some helpful words for those affected by mental illness and their faith communities...
Here are some important facts about mental illness and recovery:
Mental illnesses are biologically based brain disorders. They cannot be overcome through "will power" and are not related to a person's "character" or intelligence.
Mental disorders fall along a continuum of severity. Even though mental disorders are widespread in the population, the main burden of illness is concentrated in a much smaller proportion — about 6 percent, or 1 in 17 Americans — who suffer from a serious mental illness. It is estimated that mental illness affects 1 in 5 families in America.
The World Health Organization has reported that four of the 10 leading causes of disability in the US and other developed countries are mental disorders. By 2020, Major Depressive illness will be the leading cause of disability in the world for women and children.
Mental illnesses usually strike individuals in the prime of their lives, often during adolescence and young adulthood. All ages are susceptible, but the young and the old are especially vulnerable.
Without treatment the consequences of mental illness for the individual and society are staggering: unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, suicide and wasted lives; The economic cost of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars each year in the United States.
The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective; between 70and 90 percent of individuals have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports.
With appropriate effective medication and a wide range of services tailored to their needs, most people who live with serious mental illnesses can significantly reduce the impact of their illness and find a satisfying measure of achievement and independence. A key concept is to develop expertise in developing strategies to manage the illness process.
Early identification and treatment is of vital importance; By ensuring access to the treatment and recovery supports that are proven effective, recovery is accelerated and the further harm related to the course of illness is minimized.
Stigma erodes confidence that mental disorders are real, treatable health conditions. We have allowed stigma and a now unwarranted sense of hopelessness to erect attitudinal, structural and financial barriers to effective treatment and recovery. It is time to take these barriers down.
(as sited by the NAMI website)
…to help the children of God coping with mental illness
The following is available in booklet form and has been prepared for your use by Tess Halle of Wheaton, Illinois. It is the prayer of Tess, who has a mental illness, that all congregations will be more supportive with those living with one of these disorders.
ACTS
A Awareness
C Consistency
T Transportation
S
Spiritual Guidance
OF
G Grooming
R Repairs
A Activities
C Cash Grants
E Employment
What the Faithful Can Do- Section 2
What the Faithful Can Do- Section 3
What the Faithful Can Do- Section 4
I will recall that I am a child of God. I am one who is created out of Love. I am chosen,
good, holy and have purpose...a task to perform here on Earth before I return to the Father. I deserve to be treated as a person who has value and dignity.
I will embrace my illness or my family members illness as a friend this day looking for
what it is teaching me about the mystery of God and Life.
I will not allow the stigma of mental illness to defeat me this day. I will choose to have
power over stigma by detaching myself from the stigma.
I will talk to someone today who will encourage me to see my goodness and holiness as a
child of God. Maybe we will share a prayer together for one another.
I will look for humor and reasons to laugh and be happy. Quiet joy will be my goal.
I will read a passage from Scripture or something from a book of devotion, inspiration or spiritual reading that will encourage me to trust and hope in the power and love of God.
I will seek twenty minutes of solitude, silence, prayer this day. If my mind won’t quiet
down, if my thoughts keep racing, I will offer that as my prayer to God. If necessary and helpful, I will listen to soothing instrumental music or inspirational/religious music to quiet me and remind me that God is present.
I will walk outdoors marveling at a sunrise, a sunset, the song of a bird, the soothing
colors of nature...the serenity of green grass, a blue sky, the softness of the pastel colored blossoms of Springtime and the peaceful waters of a river, lake or stream that ripple and flow. I will remind myself that everything in nature is a reflection of the Creator and pleases the Creator just as it is and so do I just as I am.
I will delight in the knowledge that we are each created different because it is in our
differences we make a more powerful and beautiful whole. We each reflect adifferent aspect of the mystery of Life and God. Individually and together we are a
Masterpiece!
In God is my hope and my joy. I will give honor, glory and praise to God knowing and
trusting what God has in store for me. We do not seek or like suffering but our suffering can make us strong in many ways and more compassionate and loving to others...our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Knowing for sure that although I long for God, God’s longing for me is even
greater. I will rest in that knowledge this day.
The Simple Path
by
Mother Teresa
The
fruit of silence is
PRAYER
The
fruit of prayer is
FAITH
The
fruit of faith is
LOVE
The
fruit of love is
SERVICE
The
fruit of service is
PEACE
Also visit Mental Health Ministries, National Mental Health Association, Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance, or Shadow Voices online for other helpful resources.
Return to True Life Family Ministries homepage.