Tuesday letters: Include spiritual aspect in treating mental illness

It seems that every unfortunate shooting or violent attack brings mental illness front and center. The term gets tossed around as if one must fear the mentally ill. However, mental illness is lived quietly by those unfortunate souls who struggle with it daily.

For a long time, help was not available; people were classified as having “nerve issues” or were just plain crazy. Today, thankfully, those who are afflicted can find help from the medical community and through organizations formed to bring attention to the illness. However, too few people recognize the spiritual element as a part of the treatment.

Before you quit reading, please understand that this is not an evangelical appeal. I simply believe that God has a place in the treatment of mental illness. He offers a hand to those who have suffered through depression, anxiety and frustration. He is a partner who has insights beyond man’s attempts to treat the illness. Although God has not healed me of mental illness, turning my problem over to him has resulted in a wonderful sense of peace in the midst of the struggle.

Even churches, with mentally ill individuals siting in the pews, often are reluctant to address the presence of mental illness in the religious community. Why not add the spiritual to the treatment regimen? I do not want anyone to overlook the spiritual help that is readily available.

West Columbia