Prayer, fasting, scripture, and faith are some of our most powerful coping tools as Christians. However, they do not complete our arsenal of weapons needed to navigate all adversities that we may experience, especially mental illness. Moreover, depressed mood and anxiety may not indicate mental or psychotic illness (inability to perceive reality) but may be a result of an underlying physical medical illness like cardiovascular disease, hypothyroidism, various neurological diseases, or sleep apnea.
Other causes can be emotional changes related to trauma, personality changes because of trauma, or currently active or ongoing recovery from substance abuse. When we have a better understanding of the different potential causes of these struggles it positions us better to advocate for the needs of others and help connect them with the appropriate resources.
Primary care providers are always a great place to start when it comes to directing friends, family members, and others where to go for help! When someone is in a crisis to the point of wanting to harm themselves, they can access the national suicide hotline at 1- 800-273-8255 which is available 24/7 and offered in several main languages spoken in the United States. Another option is the crisis text line: Text HOME to 741741