How to Cure a Mental Illness

Hint: It's not by prescribing medication

The mental health system is ruled by psychiatrists who generally take a materialistic view of the human person. The idea, loosely speaking, is that states of mind are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain that can be rectified, at least partially, by medication. People are labelled with diagnoses which essentially create the impression that there is something intrinsically wrong with them. But is this ever true?

I remember once when I was feeling paranoid, I called the helpline of the Samaritans and a friendly gentleman answered the phone. He allowed me to talk about my circumstances and showed real understanding. Within a few minutes the paranoia I was experiencing dissipated completely and I felt grounded, at peace, and happy. What it took to help my mental health was empathy and understanding. I would venture to suggest that this is all anyone ever needs in order to experience sound mental health.

Often, those who have been diagnosed with a mental illness get trapped in a system that makes matters worse rather than better. People who are struggling are often grouped together, in housing or in hospital, at times when what would benefit their mental health is to be surrounded by light, free, loving people.

There is certainly a spiritual dimension to all of this. Those in positions of power within the mental health system are often allied with Satan, whether they realise this or not, and Satan likes to keep people isolated and trapped in suffering. The true church of Jesus Christ can certainly provide a solution — when people come to faith in Jesus they experience their hearts being radically transformed and are often healed in their mental, physical, and spiritual health. This is not something medication can do.

Perhaps you know someone who is prescribed medication for their mental health. Don’t see them as a faulty human being, they are not. They have most likely experienced abuse, bullying, or trauma, and what they need is love, empathy and understanding. You can make a difference in their life — perhaps even cure their so-called illness — simply by truly caring.