Q.
What is mental health?
In the same way that we all have physical health which can be affected by a variety of factors we also all have mental health. Mental health is defined by the World Health Organisation 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". When our mental health is healthy we can function well and find ourselves thriving however at times it may be that we have struggles with our mental health and when this happens we find ourselves not able to participate in things that we normally would have found enjoyable or able to do.
Q.
Can you prevent mental health problems?
There's no sure way to completely prevent mental illness, but there are ways to grow in mental health and resilience and there are many people who overcome mental illness and lead peaceful productive lives. If you do have a mental illness, taking steps to control stress, to increase your resilience and to boost low self-esteem may help keep your symptoms under control. Being part of a supportive community, cultivating a prayerful lifestyle and growing in wholeness and inner-peace all help to stabilise and harmonise your life.
Pay attention to warning signs and don’t neglect routine medical care. Learn to ask for help quickly and take good care of yourself.
Q.
Are there cures for mental health problems?
There are many different approaches that can be helpful in managing mental health problems. Broadly speaking there are three different approaches .
1. Those which tackle neuropharmacological processes (disturbances in brain chemistry).
This involves taking medication targeted towards relieving the particular symptoms that are being experienced. There are a very large number of different medications available for different disorders and it is important to have an open discussion with your prescriber about what you can expect in terms of benefits and also side effects. (Don’t forget: medication can take a bit of time to start working, and sometimes you need to try a couple before you find the best fit for you).
2. Those which address psychological processes.
Psychotherapeutic interventions or talking therapies. These may be prescribed via the NHS or your GP. There are also may independent practitioners available who charge by the hour for their services.
(Worth noting: Anyone can set up business providing therapy, without necessarily having any qualifications. Those with proper training, qualification and supervision arrangements are usually registered with the BACP, and can be checked online).
Qualified psychotherapists may also be doctors, or psychologists or have other academic backgrounds. There are many different types of therapy available. Those offered by the NHS are largely evidence based; i.e. there have been valid scientific trials to show they work and are not harmful. This is not always the case with those offered independently. It is always important to be very careful before selecting a therapist independently to check both their credential and the validity of the approach they are offering.
3. Those which address self care and well being.
Often a simple change of lifestyle can make a very significant difference to our health and well being. This may involve measures such as taking more exercise, ensuring regular and adequate sleep, improving nutrition and carving out time for rest, relationships and hobbies. Being part of a faith community has been shown in studies to be beneficial in building resilience to and also helping with mental health. Certainly within the church community it is very helpful to have a safe place, such as a home group where you can relieve support and prayer.
Sometimes issues such a guilt and shame, rejection, fear disappointment can leave scars at a deep level and many people find prayer for these issues very helpful in terms of spiritual and mental health. For more information on this see our Wholeness Course at Woodlands Church here
In life we often want instant solutions for our problems but it is important to remember that mental health issues are often complex and not to become too discouraged by lack of immediate results. The natural history of most mental health problems is to improve over time, but persevering with the therapeutic approaches mentioned can speed this process as well as helping build resilience against recurrence.
Q.
What causes mental health problems?
There is no one simple answer to this question but the evolution of mental health difficulties is usually down to many factors.
We know that in mental health disorders there are measurable differences in the levels of neurotransmitters in certain parts of the brains of affected individuals and brain scans show abnormal patterns of activity and particular area of the brain. We cannot be certain however what causes this effect and it is thought that many different factors are involved: genetics certainly plays a significant part in some cases. There are studies that show clear genetic components in some disorders though this is a complex process and doesn't explain why some people with high genetic risk stay well while others with much lower genetic risk become unwell. It seems that certain triggers are likely to interact with genetic vulnerability to contribute to onset of problems.
Other significant risk factors for mental health problems are stress, physical illness, trauma, childhood adversity such as abuse or neglect.
Q.
What do I do if I’m worried about my mental health?
Its always OK to ask for help even if if you’re not experiencing a specific mental health problem. If you’re concerned about your mental health it is always good to talk to a trusted friend about what you’re experiencing. If you find yourself worrying more than usual, are struggling to enjoy your life, having thoughts and feelings that are difficult to cope with, which have an impact on your day-to-day life then we would advise you speak to a medical professional who can advise you further.
Q.
What should I do if I’m worried about a friend or relative?
If someone is experiencing unpleasant thoughts and feelings its often common to feel like you don’t know what to say. But you don’t need training to show someone that you care about them and in fact being an encouraging, listening friend is often want people really value in these times. If you’re concerned about a friend or relative chat to them first and ask them how they’re doing. You can say something like “You haven’t seemed yourself recently are you doing Okay?”
It is much better to talk to people about how they are doing rather than ignoring them or assuming something. You can offer reassurance and support but its also important to realise that their mental health is not your responsibility and your role as a friend or family is to support them by being there rather than trying to fix everything. If you want more information about how best to support and be there for someone you care about who is struggling you can find 6 simple steps here from the Mind website
Q.
I haven’t been sleeping what should I do?
A doctor writes: "Anxiety and sleep loss are very unpleasant experiences so you have my sympathy. They are also both very common and effect many of us. Sleep is so important and if anxiety gets worse, sleep can easily be affected, making the anxiety worse. If possible reflect on the causes of your anxiety and see if this if these can be addressed at all. Try to do simple things to address the anxiety such as keeping your life in balance, by exercising and taking time to rest and relax regularly. Reduce caffeine or excess alcohol use.
Pray and talk to God about it . Talk with friends or family members that you know and trust. There is so helpful advice re anxiety and sleep problems on the NHS website.
However if after doing simple things the anxiety, & sleep difficulties are getting worse I would recommend contacting your GP surgery for further help, support and advice.
Q.
My mental health problems make me feel isolated what should I do?
When being unwell we can naturally withdraw and disengage as our capacity for relationships reduces. We were created to have to have meaningful connection with God and other people. Being part of a church community can be a place to push through and engage with making friends and being known. This takes courage especially when we don’t feel we have much to offer, but every choice to connect with someone is a step out of isolation. Take small steps to start, trying coming along to a Sunday service, or speaking to someone over a coffee.
Q.
When my mental health is under pressure it can sometimes feel like something spiritual is threatening me.
Is that a true picture of what is happening and what should I do?
Not necessarily! Our brains are complex organs and our mental, emotional, physical lives all overlap with our spiritual lives. How we are are in any of these areas can impact our sense of safety, peace, awareness of the presence of God and even evil. It is always important to look after ourselves in every area of life and to stay in community with others and to listen to advice. This will help us keep a healthy perspective. If we do these things we have a better chance of being a bit more objective.
There’s nothing wrong with praying for recovery from a mental health condition, and ultimately God is the healer and protector of not just our physical bodies, but our minds, emotions and spirits too. The bible tells us that God is our ultimate refuge when we feel under attack: Psalm 46
Many thanks to contributing doctors, consultant psychiatrist, church pastors.