Spiritual connections that promote mental health

By Rev. Dr. Russell G. Waldrop
Published: May 15, 2008

The Mental Health Association of Augusta, a United Way agency, announces its 54th annual emphasis on “May is Mental Health Month.” Its goal is to raise public awareness about mental illness and the importance of promoting mental wellness for everyone. The theme this year is “Get Connected,” and, according to Donna Gum, executive director of the association, they have issued a “Mental Health Connection Challenge” for everyone to do just that — “get connected” with their own resources for mental health. Do you know what yours are?

They recognize five positive and life-fulfilling connections that can be made and developed during the month of May. They are are: 1) family and friends, 2) coworkers, 3) community members, 4) oneself and 5) mental health professionals.

What are the spiritual dimensions to these “connections” that can promote our mental health? Following are examples of these five spiritual mental health connections from the Bible, a book overlooked too often in matters of mental health.

1. Family and friends. Few things are as spiritual, or Biblical, as family. Mother’s Day reminded us of that this past Sunday. So will Father’s Day five weeks from now. As the Apostle Paul points out, the Fifth Commandment, “Honor your Father and your Mother,” is the only one of the Ten Commandments that promises long life — “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth” (Eph. 6:2; Exodus 20:12).

One of the purposes of good parenting is to develop healthy children who enjoy good relationships with one another and with their parents, and who have a sense of self-worth, security, and belonging that carries them through the crises of life that will surely come as they move out of their family-of-origin and into the world.

Mental health is, indeed, a family affair. While it may be seen first in the bassinette, it likely originated in the infant’s grandparents, great grandparents, etc., who took seriously the spiritual dimensions of parenting, family relationships, friendships, nutrition, recreation, education, discipline, and many other qualities that have spiritual and mental health implications.

The family is the first institution available to teach us the basics of living. If it fails, the children are at tremendous loss and risk. Even the Biblical Psalmist anticipated the break-up of his own family. What held him together was his faith: “My father and mother may abandon me, but the Lord will take care of me” (Psalms 27:10 TEV). In other words, when the biological family fails or struggles, the family of God is prepared to intervene through support groups, counseling, prayer, and encouragement.

The Mental Health Association of Augusta is a chapter of a nationwide non-profit, non-governmental volunteer organization that provides information and referral services, pro-bono counseling, and a mental health directory of professional counselors. Programs include the “Pearl of Happiness,” designed to enhance the self-esteem of fourth graders; “Year-One-for Newlyweds”; a support group for persons with bi-polar disorder; and an outreach program for persons experiencing bereavement. They also offer parenting programs in conjunction with the Central Shenandoah Valley Office on Youth, another United Way Agency. Workshop topics include: parenting, divorce, domestic violence, money management, alcohol and drug addiction, and many others.

Donna H. Gum is Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of Augusta, located in the Professional Building, Room 206, in Staunton, VA. She may be reached at 540-949-0169; 540-886-7181; or e-mailed at . Their Web site is http://www.mha-augusta.org. The Central Shenandoah Valley Office on youth, with locations in Staunton and Waynesboro, can be reached at 540-942-6757.

(Part two next week.)

The Rev. Dr. Russell G. Waldrop is a licensed professional counselor and a pastoral counselor. He is chaplain of Western State Hospital. Contact him at 540-332-8004 or at .