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A U.S. bishop is highlighting the nation\u2019s growing mental health crisis, while pointing to the \u201cdivine medicine\u201d offered by Christ through the work of the Church.<\/p>\n
On Jan. 19, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge<\/a> of Arlington, Virginia, released \u201cThe Divine Physician and a Christian Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing,\u201d a pastoral letter<\/a> surveying the state of mental health in the U.S. and offering both \u201cencouragement and guidance\u201d in addressing mental health challenges<\/a> \u201cin light of the teachings of Christ and the Gospel.\u201d<\/p>\n Bishop Burbidge said the letter was prompted by his \u201cincreasing pastoral concern\u201d over \u201cthe emergence of a broad crisis concerning mental health that is negatively impacting Americans, and especially young people, in terms of their spiritual, mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.\u201d<\/p>\n He described \u201cthe scale and scope of this crisis<\/a>\u201d as \u201cstaggering,\u201d citing data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness indicating that one in five American adults experience mental health challenges each year.<\/p>\n The pastoral letter, available on the Diocese of Arlington\u2019s website, also announced the creation of a diocesan mental health council to provide resources for \u201cthose experiencing significant mental health challenges as well as their loved ones.\u201d<\/p>\n Bishop Burbidge said the council also is \u201ccommitted to providing training opportunities for mental health counselors\u201d so that they can better ground their services \u201cin a Catholic anthropology that emphasizes the sacredness of all human life and the dignity of every person.\u201d<\/p>\n Central to the bishop\u2019s pastoral letter was an understanding of the human person as a divinely created being redeemed by Christ.<\/p>\n God\u2019s plan for humanity<\/p>\n Bishop Burbidge situated the issue of mental health within the broader context of God\u2019s eternal plan for humanity, and the \u201cnegative effects of our separation\u201d from God, which \u201cso obviously frustrate our natural desires for health, wellbeing, and lasting happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEven before the advent of Christ, and before our definitive knowledge of God\u2019s goodness and the possibility of heavenly peace, humanity knew that all was not well,\u201d he said. \u201cWe knew that we needed a Savior.\u201d<\/p>\n The numerous healings Christ performed in his earthly ministry, \u201crevealing his authority over ailments affecting mind, body, and soul,\u201d point to his intention to ultimately redeem humanity fully from the effects of sin and death, said Bishop Burbidge.<\/p>\n The bishop stressed that \u201cthe Church follows our Lord in emphasizing the primacy of spiritual healing, the importance of faith in God, and fidelity to his commands as the key for everlasting salvation.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n He said that \u201cfaith and trust in God are shown to be the keys to everlasting health and wellbeing for humanity,\u201d while emphasizing that \u201cwe must be careful in recognizing that not all who ask for healing are healed, either in the way they want or in the timeframe for which they may hope.\u201d<\/p>\n Mental health and redemptive suffering<\/p>\n In his letter, Bishop Burbidge explored the issue of mental health with respect to several considerations: the ongoing stigma many feel in seeking help; the mystery of human suffering, which can be redemptive when united with that of Christ; and the social realities that have led to increased loneliness<\/a> and disconnection.<\/p>\n He particularly mourned \u201cthe breakdown of the family,\u201d a decline in which \u201cmany of the challenges we experience today have their roots.\u201d Bishop Burbidge said that the erosion of the family structure \u2014 in which children \u201cfirst discover their inherent dignity\u201d \u2014 has been \u201caccelerated over the past century by the progressive disintegration of sacramental marriage as a cultural and social norm.\u201d<\/p>\n The Church has been entrusted with a mission to bring Christ\u2019s healing to all of these wounds, said Bishop Burbidge.<\/p>\n Christians \u201chave a particular responsibility to address the stigmas that prevent people from seeking help and to remove barriers that keep so many stuck in patterns of isolation and misery,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Less than half of Americans experiencing mental health issues seek treatment, with those who do often waiting years to enter into counseling, he noted.<\/p>\n \u2018Freedom for\u2019 mentality<\/p>\n At the same time, Bishop Burbidge cautioned against equating the world\u2019s view of human identity, health and happiness with that of the divine.<\/p>\n \u201cThe difference between Catholic and secular views of happiness and mental health is the difference between a \u2018freedom for\u2019 versus a \u2018freedom from\u2019 mentality,\u201d he explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n The secular \u201cfreedom from\u201d mentality seeks to eliminate anxiety and distress, he said, while the Christian understanding \u201cgoes deeper,\u201d and \u201cencourages us to recognize freedom as a gift meant for our holistic flourishing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe Christian approach guides us to consider what God asks of us in our lives,\u201d said Bishop Burbidge.<\/p>\n