Mental health for the &least& of God’s children

Russ Waldrop / News Virginian
Published: May 5, 2007

Most people who respond to persons in mental crisis are members of a church; so are those experiencing such crises. In fact, Jesus said that he had come first to those who admit their illnesses (Mk. 2:17). He recognized them as often "least" in the community's estimation, but he called them his sisters and brothers and said that our fate rests on how we treat them (Mt. 25:31- 46).

Their first objective is to raise public awareness of the implications of severe mental illness among individuals, their families and those who provide them with mental health services. They also promote a new trend that has emerged over the last few years, one that emphasizes such concepts as "consumers," "wellness" and "recovery." Consumers are people who need one of two things: either formal treatment for mental illness as in-patients or out-patients, or preventive services like educational and support groups that help people cope with their crises without formal treatment.

"Wellness" includes those healthy skills, attitudes and personality traits possessed by everyone, even people with the most severe mental illness. A focus on "growing" these characteristics can help the consumer use them and feel good about themselves while having a serious illness. The positives, if directed to the illness, can make the difference between hospitalization and outpatient care. For hospitalized patients, it can significantly reduce the amount of time before discharge.

Prevention of severe mental illness through maintenance of one's wellness is an approach that recognizes the "recovery" dimension of mental health. Instead of "healing the illness" in a negative vacuum, one "recovers" the health he or she already possesses and allows it to manage the illness.

The second objective of the "May is Mental Health Month" theme is to emphasize the importance of one's mental health to one's overall health. The "mind-body" connection recognizes that each depends upon and affects the other. A death, divorce or mentally stressful job, for example, can cause or worsen heart disease, diabetes, obesity or sexual dysfunction. When we utilize effective time management, peer or professional support, and maintain our personal boundaries, we allow our bodies and minds to benefit each other.

The third objective is healthy children, Jesus' model for the Kingdom of God (Mt. 19:14). The Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health has designated May 6-12 as "Children's Mental Health Week" and will be promoting the importance of community-based resources for children's health and wellness.

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; a support group for persons with bi-polar disorder; and an outreach program for persons experiencing bereavement. 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. She may be reached at 540-949-0169 or 540-886-7181, or emailed at . The Web site is http://www.mha-augusta.org.

The Rev. Dr. Russell G. Waldrop is a licensed professional counselor and a pastoral counselor. He is chaplain of Western State Hospital.

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