How to develop mental health

The mental health of individuals has become a growing concern for health authorities, governments, and non-governmental organisations worldwide. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of populations, leading to an increase in cases of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders during this period. What is mental health? What are the types of mental disorders? What does the Bible say about it? What are the risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs of mental illness? How can we develop mental health? What role does forgiveness play in this process? In this article, we aim to answer these questions.

What is mental health?

The World Health Organization has defined mental health as a ‘state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community’. Mental health is not just the absence of mental illness; it is associated with one’s well-being, capacity to love, work, relate to others, and find meaning in life.

Mental illnesses can interfere with thinking, perception of reality, and mood, differing from common emotions such as sadness or fear that anyone can experience in their life. They are often caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors and can affect people of all ages, gender, and ethnicity, causing significant suffering to the patient, their family, and the community. Mental illnesses are highly prevalent worldwide, contributing to high rates of absenteeism and early retirement.

The most common mental illnesses globally include anxiety, depression, and those related to alcohol abuse and other dependencies. More severe mental illnesses, although less frequent, include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, which may require psychiatric hospitalisation. However, a significant number of people with mental illnesses do not seek help from healthcare services, leading to undiagnosed and untreated cases.

What does the Bible say?

The Word of God acknowledges the influence of the mind on the body. For example, Proverbs 17:22 states, ‘A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones’ (NIV). King David wrote several Psalms expressing his moods, some of which reveal periods of depression (Psalms 22, 31, 42, 88). The prophet Jeremiah, who experienced the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonians, also expressed emotional distress (Lamentations 3:1-2, 6-8, 17-18). However, diagnosing clinical depression in these cases lacks sufficient data, despite depression being one of the most common mental illnesses.

Mental illness, referred to in the Bible as ‘madness,’ was considered a consequence of the disobedience of the Jewish people to God’s will (Deuteronomy 28:28, 34). King David once pretended to be mad to save his life (1 Samuel 21:12-15), but the biblical character most associated with mental disturbance is King Saul. His emotional instability, insecurity, anxiety, anger outbursts, and phases of euphoria and depression resemble patients with bipolar disorder (eg, 1 Samuel 18 and onwards). However, it seems more appropriate to consider Saul’s behaviour as a result of character flaws and disobedience to God, primarily of a spiritual nature.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon experienced a phase of madness, behaving like an animal—a rare mental illness known as boanthropy, where the patient believes he is a cow or an ox. In this case, his illness was considered a consequence of God’s punishment for his pride and arrogance, eventually leading to his recognition and praise of the true God (Daniel 4:29-37).

Scriptures also mention occasions when great men of God like Moses, Job, Elijah, and Jonah expressed a desire to die. Prophet Elijah faced profound discouragement and despair when threatened by the wicked Queen Jezebel after defeating and exterminating the prophets of Baal. Divine intervention, promoting rest, food, and hydration, remains a valid therapy in such situations (1 Kings 19:1-8).

Risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs

Several risk factors contribute to mental and behavioural disorders, such as easy access to drugs, alcohol, and gambling; isolation and alienation; exposure to violence, aggression, or trauma; work-related stress or life events (such as death of loved ones); bullying; peer rejection; unemployment; social inequalities (individuals with lower incomes and less education are more predisposed to mental illnesses); lack of social skills; child abuse or neglect; emotional immaturity and lack of control; chronic insomnia; interpersonal conflicts; economic insecurity; loneliness; pathological grief.

Protective factors include positive social interactions, social participation (especially in recreational, cultural, and sports activities), social tolerance, social support of family and friends, good self-esteem, the ability to cope with stress, autonomy, adaptability, mental health literacy, physical exercise and sports, positive parent-child interaction, cognitive stimulation from birth to old age, engaging in enjoyable activities, problem-solving skills, awareness of the meaning of life, knowing God and maintaining an intimate relationship with the Lord.

Some warning signs indicating compromised mental health include sleep-related problems, constant anxiety or tension, mood swings, irritability, withdrawal from people and activities, memory problems, lack of motivation and will, deep sadness and hopelessness, impulsivity, increased alcohol or drug consumption, reduced performance at work or studies.

There is a clear stigma associated with mental illness, which remains a taboo subject, even among Christians. Acknowledging a mental health issue and seeking help from a psychologist or psychiatrist often requires courage and determination, but it may be the only way to diagnose the problem correctly and initiate appropriate treatment for a quick and complete recovery.

How to develop mental health

There are several ways to develop mental health and prevent psychological suffering, including:

• Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including a varied diet low in carbohydrates, regular physical activity, good sleep habits, and avoiding the consumption of alcohol, and tobacco.
• Coping with stress by engaging in activities that bring pleasure and well-being.
• Cultivating positive social relationships by investing time in building healthy relationships and reducing exposure to social media.
• Maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal/family life.
• Developing all dimensions of human existence—physical, mental, social, and spiritual, the latter being related to the meaning of life.
• Seeking professional help when necessary, especially when warning signs are present.
• Forgiving those who have offended, harmed, or mistreated us is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects.

The medicine of forgiveness

Forgiving does not mean forgetting, tolerating, or excusing harmful or abusive behaviours. It is a conscious and voluntary decision, often challenging, resulting in acceptance, inner healing, and emotional liberation. Jesus said, ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven’ (Luke 6:37). The Lord himself set a sublime example of forgiveness. When facing agonising and unimaginable suffering on the cross, he prayed, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’ (Luke 23:24).

Bishop Desmond Tutu (1931-2021), who chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, established to investigate human rights violations during the Apartheid era, wrote: ‘Until we can forgive the person who harmed us, that person will hold the keys to our happiness, that person will be our jailor. When we forgive, we take back control of our own fate and our feelings. We become our own liberator.’

Forgiveness does not erase the past, but it prevents negative experiences from poisoning our future. It reconciles us with the past and demonstrates trust in God regarding the future.

Perhaps the greatest motivation for us to forgive is our personal experience of having been forgiven by God and being aware of the need to receive forgiveness for the harm that we, consciously or unconsciously, have done to others (Matthew 6:12).

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References

Beer, M. Dominic & Pocock, Nigel D. (Eds). Mad, Bad or Sad? A Christian approach to antisocial behaviour and mental disorders. Christian Medical Fellowship, London, 2006.

Nervous and Mental Diseases. In: Douglas, J. D. & Tenney, Merril C. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Zondervan, Michigan, 2011.

Toussaint, Loren L. & Worthington, Everett L. & Williams, David R. (Eds). Forgiveness and Health: Scientific Evidence and Theories Relating Forgiveness to Better Health. Springer: Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 2015.

Tutu, Desmond & Tuto, Mpho. The Book of Forgiveness. HarperOne: San Francisco, 2014.

Winter, Richard. When Life Goes Dark: Finding hope in the midst of depression. InterVarsity Press, Illinois, 2012.