By Joe J. Christensen, Ph.D.
Formerly of the Quorums of the
Seventy
San Diego,
California
On Dealing with Mental Illness and
Disabilities
Introduction
I would like to share some thoughts about how we can better deal with
personal and emotional problems including mental illness. I would first like to
talk to those who may be suffering from personal and emotional problems and then
to others who love them.
Helping yourself
As with all other personal problems and challenges, you should attempt
to find the solution to personal and emotional concerns yourself. The next place
to turn is to the immediate and extended family and as more assistance is
needed, then toward the church and other appropriate community agencies and
individuals.
As a member of the LDS Church you have access to a local Bishop or
other church leader. When personal attempts have been unsuccessful in dealing
with your emotional concerns, seek outside help. Although a Bishop or other
church leader typically is not a mental health professional, they can serve as
an excellent resource. As part of the Bishop's calling he has special powers. He
can give you a priesthood blessing and offer encouragement and support.
Occasionally, you may find a Bishop or other church leader who may not
understand how to help you with social and emotional problems. Be patient and
prayerfully consider your actions. When assistance is obtained outside of the
church try to locate those services which are consistent with church standards.
Beware of "counselitis". In
dealing with personal and emotional problems it has always been a concern that
you do not become dependent on others. In his talk Solving Emotional
Problems in the Lord's Own Way Elder Boyd K. Packer (LDS General Conference
April 1978) addresses this concern. Although this talk was given over 20 years
ago we can still learn from it. Elder Packer said,
We seem to be developing an epidemic of "counselitis" which drains
spiritual strength from the church much like the common cold drains more
strength out of humanity than any other disease...We have become very anxious
over the amount of counseling that we seem to need in the church. Our members
are becoming dependent. We must not set up a network of counseling services
without at the same time emphasizing the principle of emotional self-reliance
and individual independence. If we lose our emotional and spiritual
independence, our self-reliance, we can be weakened quite as much, perhaps even
more, than when we become dependent materially. If we are not careful, we can
lose the power of individual revelation. What the Lord said to Oliver Cowdery
has meaning for all of us. "Behold, you have not understood; you have
supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to
ask me. But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind;
then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your
bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if
it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of
thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong." (D&C
9:7-9.) Spiritual independence and self-reliance is a sustaining power in the
church. If we rob the members of that how can they get revelation for
themselves? How will they know there is a prophet of God? How can they get
answers to prayers? How can they know for sure for themselves? ... (©
by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Used by permission).
Elder Packer in the same talk acknowledges "There may be a time
when deep-seated emotional problems need more than can be given by the family,
the Bishop, or the stake president." I wish to point out a difference
between those who have personal and emotional concerns and those suffering from
more serious problems such as a mental illness or a mental disability. A mental
illness or disability is a serious health condition typically associated with a
"brain disease" or "chemical imbalance." These types of disabilities are viewed
as a medical condition similar to any other health condition. A mental illness
or disability often require on going professional care and medical intervention.
On the other hand, personal and emotional concerns are less severe and typically
respond to those interventions suggested in Elder Packer's article. If you have
personal emotional problems that have not been resolved with your personal,
family and church resources there is the possibility you are suffering from a
mental illness or disability and you should seek out professional care and visit
with a trained mental health professional. There should be no shame or
embarrassment in trying to improve your personal and family life by asking
others for help. The Lord wants us to be the best sons and daughters we can be.
Medication. One sensitive
area I wish to deal with is the use of medication for resolving emotional
problems. I am not a medical doctor and for the most part neither is your Bishop
or other church leader. Prescribed medication can only be given by a trained and
licensed professional. Whether or not you use medication is a decision that you
and a trained physician make. Use a similar procedure in taking medication for a
mental illness as you would in deciding about taking medication to deal with any
other medical problem. The Lord has blessed us with science and technology that
can make our lives so much easier. A variety of medications are now available
that assist in dealing with serious and life threatening problems, including
emotional ones. To those suffering from a mental illness or disorder, medication
can be a tremendous help. We would no more expect a diabetic to live without
insulin than we would expect a person suffering from a serious mental illness
such as manic depression or schizophrenia to live without appropriate
medication. We understand the treatment of many mental illnesses require the use
of medication. If you, your surrounding loved ones, and a mental health
professional decide medication is necessary, then take the medication. However,
might I caution you to be careful in using medication unnecessarily. Some
medications can more easily lead to addiction problems and sometimes we turn to
medication when we haven't attempted to use our personal resources.
Others can help
When someone in a family suffers from a mental illness or disability,
there is often great need for church support. Unfortunately, in these
situations, we often experience an awkward avoidance that frequently can make
the problem for the individual and family even more difficult. There can be an
immense grief within families who have a loved one suffering from mental illness
or a mental disability. The suffering associated with the lost dreams and hopes,
alienation from friends and neighbors, the severe financial drain, and other
problems associated with struggling to understand and live with mental illness
or disabilities can be overwhelming. The family and the individual with the
mental illness or disability may have difficulty carrying the associated
problems. Perhaps the greatest challenge dealing with mental illness for
surrounding family and church members is denial. As with many problems in life
we are slow to acknowledge a problem like mental illness exists. If you have a
loved one who is suffering from a mental illness or disability you are not
alone. Other church members have similar problems. There are some things you can
do.
Offer love. When there is a mental illness help is
needed and can come from the Gospel, church leaders and its members. To begin
with, we should follow the example of the Savior. We read in the Church
Handbook of Instructions:
During His mortal ministry, the Savior showed great
compassion to people who had imperfections of body and mind. Church members
should follow His example, offering hope, understanding, and love as Jesus did.
Great blessings can come as church members associate with, befriend, and
understand those who have special needs. (P.310; Church Handbook of
Instructions, Book 2 © 1998 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Used by
permission).
We read in the Gospel of Luke that the Savior came not only to fulfill
prophecy but also to be a blessing to those who suffer: "The Spirit of the
Lord [is] upon me, because he hast anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor,
he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the
captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are
bruised." (Luke 4:18 Italics added.) We can help those suffering from a
mental illness or disability by loving them in the same way we would someone
with a physical disability and not by being judgmental.
Suggestions
Here are a few additional suggestions that can help leaders and others
accomplish these ends:
The gospel has a great contribution to make
in the area of ministering with those with personal and emotional concerns
and mental illnesses. Ideally families and quorums should be
the ultimate support groups. We should learn to apply the doctrine and
scriptures to the needs of these families. President Boyd K. Packer has reminded
us that: "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior quicker
than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy
behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the
study of the doctrines of the gospel." (Ensign, November 1966, p.
17.; © by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Used by permission). We should encourage
one another to pay the price of study and effort to understand the doctrine.
When this happens, we will see many miracles occur in the lives of individuals
suffering from a wide variety of difficult mental challenges. There literally is
a "balm in Gilead" that can help make many people whole. Everyone can benefit
from learning and living the gospel of Jesus Christ—and in some cases it is the
only—long-range cure. Generally, those experiencing personal and emotional
concerns can benefit significantly by learning and living the gospel,
without extensive outside help.
Some suffer from mental illnesses which result from a medical
condition. Most members of the church would grant a medical basis to
such problems as mental retardation and Down's Syndrome. With such problems we
neither blame the condition on bad parenting nor expect the disabled to overcome
their limitations by simply exerting will power. In a similar manner, it is
unrealistic to assume that an individual suffering a mental disorder such as
schizophrenia or serious depression to "snap out if it" and be cured by
admonitions alone. Typically, those suffering from a mental illness or disorder
cannot find the same relief from "learning doctrine" as those experiencing less
serious personal and emotional concerns. Having a mental illness is no more of a
sin than having cancer, a heart condition, or some other physical disability.
For example, I know a middle-aged woman whose life-style changed within a very
short time. She became intellectually almost incoherent and involved in the most
deviant of ways. She was suffering from a mental illness. When medical doctors
and others in the helping professions discovered and treated a chemical
imbalance in her system, she returned to her normal self. I believe that medical
care including medication were necessary in helping this good sister.
Unfortunately, not every mental illness can be solved as quickly and as easily
as with my friend. However, when there is a mental illness professional mental
and health care should be sought. It can help.
Don't fear people with mental illness or mental
disabilities. From most of them suffering from a mental illness, there
is no threat or danger. Work to understand the problem by personal contact with
the individual, reading pertinent printed information about it and talking with
individuals who are knowledgeable. They may look and act different than you, but
they are a child of God. In the Church Handbook several pages are devoted to
educating church leaders about Ministering to Members Who Have Disabilities.
Get to know the person and his or her family, and take time to show
genuine interest and concern. Be natural, friendly, and warm in communication.
Speak directly to the person rather than to someone who is assisting. Recognize
that the person is a child of God, and look beyond the disability to the
person's spirit. (P. 311; Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2 ©
1998, by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Used by permission).
Mental illnesses are disabilities and should be treated as such.
Leaders should not generally assume that mental disorders are
a result of sin. In John 9:2 when Christ's disciples saw a blind man,
they asked, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be
born blind?" The Lord responded from a completely different framework,
giving a new concept of "no-fault" suffering. "Jesus answered, ‘it was
neither that this man sinned, nor his parents'" (John 9:3) In other words,
the idea that a mental problem or suffering comes from God's anger or is due to
an individual's becoming involved in sinful practices is far too narrow. While
this can be the case, it usually is not. Priesthood leaders should remember, if
a known wrong does exist, then a church leader should encourage open and honest
confession to God, and, in serious transgressions, confession to leaders
designated as "judges in Israel" and then follow the repentance process.
However, if the afflicted person knows of no unrepented sin, there is no need
whatsoever to probe any further with the presupposition that there must be
spiritual problems at the root of every mental disorder. It is destructive to
suggest in such instances that family failures or some sin in the past created
their loved one's mental illness or retardation. In the Church Handbook of
Instructions, we read, "Do not attempt to explain why the challenge of a
disability has come to a family. Never suggest that a disability is a punishment
from God." (P. 312, Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2 ©
1998, by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Used by permission).
Once professional mental health care is obtained, others can
help. The mentally ill often require regular professional assistance.
For those suffering from this type of problem it may be necessary to see a
medical doctor and/or psychiatrist, perhaps for an extended series of treatments
or support. Members of the church can play a major role in assisting those with
mental disorders or disabilities. For example, they could encourage those
suffering to regularly attend counseling sessions and support groups and when
appropriate to take their medication as prescribed.
Remember that ecclesiastical leaders are spiritual leaders and
not professional therapists. Very few church leaders are qualified as
mental health professionals. Time constraints and a lack of a specialist's
competency are limitations for the great majority. They should seek trustworthy
professional consultation when it is needed. As we read in the Church Handbook
of Instructions, "When necessary, recommend counseling with someone who
understands the disability." (P. 313; Church Handbook of Instructions,
Book 2 © 1998, by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Used by permission). In these
situations, the idea that church leaders are shepherds, not veterinarians has
meaning. A question a Bishop or other church leader might ask is, "When do I
give counsel in areas like mental illness?" My reply would be "When you
feel the spirit." Obviously, the position alone does not always entitle
correct counsel on every issue.
Conclusions
In conclusion, church members should assure that everyone within their
influence who suffers from personal and emotional concerns and mental illnesses
receive the blessings of faith, be given hope, sincere love and understanding.
In those cases where it is needed, referrals should be made so that those who
suffer can be assisted in acquiring professional help. When possible this help
should be consistent with gospel standards. To those who suffer from a mental
illness or disability I do not personally understand the complexities of mental
illness nor its treatments. Some of you have had great trials and tribulations
as a result of mental disorders or disabilities in your personal lives. The Lord
loves you and His mercy and atonement will be just. He understands and wants you
to do your best with the resources available to you.
January 19, 2000/rdh/ga/vbrown/morr
February 15,2000/rdh
March 17, 2000/rdh/jjc
May 24, 2000/LDSChurch
Resources