Christian Organisation Produces New Bible For People With Mental Health Challenges
As the global community observes World Mental Health Day, the Regional Spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mr Folarin Odebode, has recommended the Bible as soothing thought for those living with mental health challenges.
Mr Odebode stated this on the observance of this year’s World Mental Health Day.
He described various lessons and teachings of the Bible as key to connecting to divine intervention in any health challenges.
“The scriptures can provide hope and comfort because depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder are just some of the mental health conditions many in this world are facing,” he stated.
The spokesperson explained that according to the World Health Organization, 1 in 8 people around the world are living with mental health conditions, pointing out that JW.ORG offers practical tips and inspiration from the Bible for men, women, and young people living with mental health challenges.
“We realize that there is a growing number of people around the world dealing with mental health challenges on a daily basis, and we hope they will find the messages in the Bible to be calming and comforting and for those living with mental health conditions or for those who may know someone dealing with such challenges, the articles and resources on jw.org can be like a guiding light in a dark tunnel” Mr Odebode stressed
He emphasized that the Bible’s message is one of hope and we know people will find the Scriptures and resources there to be soothing and refreshing.
“The magazine series “Mental Health—Help from the Bible” contains several articles with practical tips and comforting thoughts while some articles include:
• A Worldwide Mental Health Crisis
• God Cares for You
• Prayer — “Throw all your Anxiety on Him”
• Comfort from the Scriptures
• Benefit from Bible Examples
• The Bible Offers Practical Advice
• How to Help Those with Mental Health Challenges
• God Promises Perfect Mental Health
The article “Comfort from the Scriptures” contains information that can provide strength and endurance to help people cope with negative patterns of thinking” He said
Mr Odebode highlights that “The Bible can help us to counteract feelings of worthlessness.
• Numerous Bible passages reassure us that we are not alone and that God, our Creator, completely understands our feelings.
• The Bible promises that God will put an end to painful memories.
According to him “The article “The Bible Offers Practical Advice” states that while the Bible is not a medical textbook, it can provide beneficial advice. The article explains that the Bible recognizes that people may need help from physicians. It also expounds that healthy habits and exercise are important, and encourages people to willingly accept the help of others.
“I have found that reading the Bible regularly with my wife helps me to start each day with positive, upbuilding thoughts. And often on days when I’m struggling to cope, a particular verse will touch my heart,” Peter, who suffers from depression, says in the article.
Related articles on jw.org include: Teen Depression—Why? What Can Help? and “How Can I Deal with Depression.” The articles share several comforting Bible passages, including: “Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those who are crushed in spirit.” —Psalm 34:18.
• “Throw your burden on Jehovah, and he will sustain you. Never will he allow the righteous one to fall.” —Psalm 55:22.
• “I, Jehovah your God, am grasping your right hand, the One saying to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.’” —Isaiah 41:13.
• “Never be anxious about the next day.” —Matthew 6:34.
• “Let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts.” —Philippians 4:6, 7.
A whiteboard animation video titled “From Sad to Glad” and the worksheet “Working Through Sadness” provides interactive resources for young people and the video encourages young people to find someone to talk to if they are feeling sad, like a parent or a close friend. Other tips include writing thoughts and feelings on paper, praying to God, and reading the Bible, especially the book of Psalms.
“Filling your mind with positive thoughts from the Bible can have a positive effect on your feelings,” the video states.
“If you do suffer from clinical depression, it is nothing to be ashamed of. With treatment, many sufferers have begun to feel better,” the video states. “By taking things a day at a time and relying on the support of your parents and trustworthy friends, you can go from sad to glad.”
