The Shame of Mental Illness

There is a stigma attached to mental illnesses. Mental illnesses unlike many diseases are extremely hard to diagnose. They don't show up on x-rays or lab work. Because of this many people suffer for years without a proper diagnosis.

But mental illness is more common than you may think. Approximately one in five adults, 43.8 million or 18.5 percent of the population experiences mental illness in a given year.  Approximately one in twenty-five experience a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more of major life activities.

As believer's in Christ many who suffer from mood disorders also suffer from shame.  After all Christians are supposed to be happy. We are supposed to be joyful. These are true statements. Yet often times, those of us who suffer from depression or bi-polar disorder are told we need to pray more or quote more scripture, think positive,  don't speak negatively. We are told to snap out of it or that we don't need to take our medication.

Would we be so quick to judge someone for taking antibiotics for an ear infection, using an inhaler for asthma, someone who must used insulin or even taking medication for a headache? Yet tell someone you have bi-polar disorder and instantly they look at you differently!

Please realize that mood disorders are common, even to believers. And what we really need is grace from our brothers and sisters in Christ. Laugh with us! Cry with us! Hold our hands and hug our necks and by all means please pray for us.




Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid as it were our faces from Him. He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.


Matthew 25:40 “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.