Kay Warren, the wife of bestselling "The Purpose Driven Life" author and evangelist Rick Warren, is underscoring the "broken" mental health system in the United States. However, she believes that the problem can still be dealt with effectively, and that the Church can help lead the way.
"Sixty million Americans—that's one in five adults—will experience a mental illness in the coming year. That means every one of us knows someone who is living with a mental illness—depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, an eating disorder, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder and some additionally have a substance abuse," she wrote in an article for the Huffington Post.
Warren said "wonderful, compassionate" people in the field of mental health are trying to find a solution to it, but the problem is very complicated and therefore the solution isn't all that simple. She noted that people who are suffering from mental illness often go to their priest, pastor or rabbi before they even go to a healthcare professional, and that is why it is important to equip the clergy in dealing with people with mental health issues.
"Most people understand that mental illness is just that—an illness—and as such, often requires medication and treatment by mental health professionals for management and improved health. But the flip side of that realisation can lead us to believe that there is nothing significant the faith community can offer to a person with a illness," she said.
Warren said this is a misperception, since the Church is tasked with caring for the whole person—body, mind and soul. This means that the Church should be the one to first recognise and care for the person who is affected by an illness.
"The Church can speak into the soul and personhood of the individual in ways that medical professionals cannot," she said. "The Church's central commitment is to be the hands and feet of Jesus. This should include intentionally coming alongside people living with mental illness and supporting their families. If the Church lives out its calling in this area, its compassionate voice will rise within the community, the nation and the world—extending an unwavering message of hope and acceptance for those affected by mental illness."
