Mental Health First Aid from the Bible

By : Xmy B. Lacamen

NOTE: These are just the first aids we can give to people who are struggling mentally. While these provide insight into how ordinary people help each other, this does not discredit nor discourage us to seek professional help with our mental health problems.

Mental health issues have been taboo in many circles of society. While the rise of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders is alarming, especially among the youth, it seems society as a whole is not fully equipped, much less informed, about how to support people who are going through these health problems. From the basic unit of the community even to workplaces, mental health issues are often not talked about openly, ignored, and thus, not addressed properly.

Perhaps we can find help in one of the very foundations of our Christian society- the Bible. Even as an ancient book, being the living word of the Creator, the Bible has been proven relevant even to our time, and yes, even in supporting people with mental health problems. The Bible is not silent and it gives insight into how can we help people with such afflictions.

One classic example is the Prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 19. After Elijah had been successful in defeating the false prophets of Baal, Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab threatened to kill him. Then he ran and give a cry to the LORD about his distress

“But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, ‘It is enough: now, O LORD, take away my life for I am no better than my fathers.’”

(1 Kings 19: 4)

Here, Elijah presents what today’s psychology would count as a symptom of a mental health problem such as isolating oneself, feeling of worthlessness, and thoughts about suicide death. If we would read further the chapter, we can gain insight into how God handled the situation of His servant and it provides us with a simple way how to support others who are going through the same struggles as well.

“And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And an angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, ‘Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.’ And he arose and ate and drank and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.”

(1 Kings 19: 5-8 ESV)

1. Rest. People who struggle with mental health problems often find it hard to sleep and therefore, their condition worsens. Lack of sleep often causes and eventually worsens one’s mental health state. Therefore, one way we can support other people to improve their mental state is by encouraging them to sleep and rest. This starts by proving space and time to rest that is comfortable for the person to be in. When in the workplace or school, a person needs to feel guilt-free about resting and taking that time to improve their mental health state. Thus, it is important that leaders, teachers, and even administrators make the person feel that it is okay to rest by being considerate of deadlines and workload to allow people with mental health problems to focus on resting to improve their mental health.

2. Eat. Having proper nutrition contributes greatly to having good mental health and productivity. People who struggle mentally and emotionally often miss, whether by choice or not, having a proper meal to boost their health. This often leads to their mental health state worsening as the brain needs proper nutrition to perfume well. Thus, to support people going through such struggles, providing good nutrition through food is essential. A balance and healthy diet should be prioritized and away from junk foods and drinks.

3. Support Them. One of the most essential helps we can extend to people in their struggles is our presence of support and encouragement. It is important that people feel that they are not alone in their struggles and that people are willing to help them and walk with them through trying times. They must feel understood and not judged so that they can easily share their struggles and start healing. People need safe spaces where they can be free to air out their grievances without feeling judged, misunderstood, and guilty.

In providing support, it must always be remembered that providing a safe space is paramount to helping people who are going through mental health problems. Safe space to rest, to eat, and where they can find people who also support them. Gone should be the days when our approach to people who lose focus, drive, and confidence is to just toughen up and perform productively while ignoring internal wounds, struggles, and traumas that can worsen one’s condition in the future.

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