Talking About It

When I saw this T-shirt advertised, I knew I had to get it. It says, "It's OK to have Jesus and a therapist too."

Mental health has been a taboo topic in the U.S. forever. Recently, more and more young people have embraced taking care of their mental health and are leading a revolution to talk openly and acceptingly about mental health and mental wellness.

But there is still a category of our population that tends to avoid any talk of mental health, and unfortunately, it is the faith community. This isn't true of every faith community, but I hear people say they don't need a therapist or medication because they can essentially "pray away" their mental health issues. If they even admit they have a mental health issue.

I am very fortunate to belong to a faith community that talks about mental health and refers people to therapists. It's no secret that I am a therapist and perform Christian counseling, so I do get some referrals from faith communities.

But we have to do better as a whole. We have to acknowledge that mental health issues are real and should be treated no differently than physical health issues. If you broke your leg, you would go to the doctor and maybe have surgery and maybe get a cast. If you were diabetic, you would watch your blood sugar and maybe take insulin. If you had strep throat, you'd take an antibiotic.

Treating a mental health condition is no different. While there are many causes of mental illness, sometimes therapy works alone. Sometimes, it takes medication, too. The brain doesn't always work correctly based on chemical imbalances, genetics, grief, or trauma.

THERE SHOULD BE NO SHAME FOR GOING TO THERAPY OR TAKING MEDICATION FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH. In fact, I think people who do are courageous and genuinely love and care for themselves.

You might be surprised at the number of people who sit on my couch in my counseling office, cry, and apologize for being emotional. My response is usually the same: there is nothing to be sorry about, and everyone cries on my couch. Having emotions is ok. Suffering from grief is ok. Suffering from trauma is ok. Suffering from mental illness is ok. Jesus wept, and it’s ok if you do, too.

I believe Jesus understands our struggles and teaches us to get help. Scripture repeatedly talks about community and caring for each other. Jesus himself was the ultimate Counselor. He wants you to get help if you need it.

Please pray about it. But don’t stop there if you still need help. Talk to a trusted and educated counselor/therapist, and let them help you through life’s ups and downs. Jesus gave us each other to serve each other while serving Him.

Don’t let something treatable hold you back in life. There is help, and there is even Christian help if you want it. You don’t have to feel terrible for the rest of your life.

The next time you feel a wave of shame come over you about mental illness, remember that feeling is not from God. God has redeemed you and restored you and wants the best for you. He loves you. Let a counselor or therapist be a tangible expression of Jesus’ love.