Speaker: Rev. Dany Christopher, S.Psi., Ph.D.
Editor: Juan Nicohlas
There are many topics and issues concerning mental health. Amidst all this discussion about mental health, what does the Bible say about it?
In 2026, the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Budi G. Sadikin, cited data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), which stated that one in ten people worldwide is estimated to have a mental health condition. If this data is applied to Indonesia, with a population of around 280 million, then approximately 28 million of them could be categorised as having a mental health condition. Further data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD), indicates that in 2023, one in seven people worldwide experienced a mental health disorder, or approximately 14.7 per cent of the global population. The most commonly found disorders are anxiety disorders and depression.
The age group most affected by mental health disorders is adolescents, particularly those aged 15–19. Meanwhile, data from I-NAMHS in 2022 indicates that one in three Indonesian adolescents aged 10–17 has experienced mental health problems in the past 12 months.
Trends in the Church’s Response
In addressing mental health, Christians and the Church demonstrate two trends in their responses.&
First Response: mental health issues are viewed as spiritual matters and sins, rather than psychological problems. Anxiety, depression and other types of disorders are viewed as conditions related to sin and faith, rather than as psychological issues.
Second Response: mental health issues are viewed as purely psychological matters and not part of spiritual life. Consequently, their management is considered to require the involvement of a counsellor or psychologist.
Christopher Cook, a psychiatrist and theologian, in his journal “Mental Health in the Kingdom of God”, states that human beings are an integral unity of spiritual, physical and psychological aspects. With this unity, human beings were created to be in relationship with God. Therefore, the relationship with God is not only physical and spiritual, but also psychological or emotional. The Church needs to have a vision that can respond to human beings as a spiritual and psychological unity.
Definition of Mental Health
Based on the conclusions drawn from the definitions provided by the WHO and the APA, mental health is a state of psychological or emotional well-being (well-being) that enables a person to cope with life’s stresses and to function effectively both personally and socially. If a person is unable to do these things, this may be a sign of a mental health issue.
Clinically, mental health disorders in an individual may be characterised by symptoms such as mood disorders, trauma, eating disorders, psychotic disorders, personality disorders, and so on. In everyday (non-clinical) conversation, mental health disorders are often referred to by terms such as stress, overthinking, insecurity, toxic relationships, burnout, fatigue, and so on. In some cases, mental health disorders may also be accompanied by thoughts of self-harm or even taking one’s own life.
Christopher Cook offers his own definition of mental health from a Christian perspective. For Christopher Cook, mental health is a state in which a person is able to fulfil their vocation or calling within the Kingdom of God. Every Christian is regarded as having a calling to be God’s instrument in the world and to carry out the tasks entrusted to them by the Lord. When a person is unable to fulfil their calling, this situation may form part of a mental health issue.
Biblical Stories and Mental Health Disorders
The Story of Elijah (1 Kings 19)
The context of text 1 Kings 19 is Elijah’s experience after performing many miracles, yet the situation that unfolded did not meet his expectations. Elijah’s initial expectation that Israel would experience restoration did not come to pass. Instead, Elijah received a death threat from Jezebel, the wife of Ahab. Out of fear, Elijah fled to the wilderness to save himself. He sat beneath a broom tree and pleaded with the Lord, “Enough is enough! Now, O Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my forefathers.” Elijah, who had initially fled to escape death, ultimately asked the Lord to take his life.
Elijah, mentally exhausted, saw himself as a failure. He felt he had not succeeded and was no better than his forefathers. From a psychological perspective, Elijah was experiencing mental distress. Verse 3 states that “Elijah was afraid” and “then fled for his life”. In verse 4, Elijah asked God to end his life. This statement reveals a serious desire to die, although we cannot make a clinical diagnosis of Elijah’s condition based on the text.
In response to this, God’s response can be seen in verses 5 and 7, when God provided Elijah with food as a form of physical restoration. In verses 9 and 13, God asked Elijah questions, giving him the opportunity to express his struggles. God’s subsequent action in verses 15–18 is to send Elijah back to fulfil his calling. God also corrects Elijah’s mistaken belief that he is the only one who remains faithful to Him.
The Song of Korah (Psalm 42)
The Book of Psalms often reveals the lamentations from the author’s perspective. This makes the Psalms a part of the faithful’s daily lives, as they express a wide range of human emotions. When Psalm 42 is read carefully, it becomes clear how the psalmist longs for the Lord and yearns to worship Him. This longing, however, becomes a subject of mockery for the psalmist’s enemies.
In Psalm 42:4, the psalmist writes of how he weeps day and night. This expression conveys deep sorrow. In verse 5, the psalmist says, “my soul is deeply troubled,” and in verse 6 it is written, “oppressed and restless.”
One way to understand Psalm 42 is to observe what the psalmist does when facing his struggles. The psalmist speaks to himself and redirects his soul to place its hope in God. He does not allow himself to be overwhelmed by his emotions, but endeavours to refocus his hope on God and His help.
In our daily lives, we can also encounter similar experiences. Many people often speak badly of themselves in their thoughts. Psalm 42 reminds us that we need to be aware of such inner dialogue and redirect it towards hope in God.
The Life of Paul
In the New Testament, specifically in Philippians 4:6, Paul writes that we ought not to worry about anything at all. However, in 2 Corinthians 11:27–28, Paul also says that he often loses sleep because of the burdens of his daily life, particularly the concerns of the congregation. At first glance, these two verses appear to be contrasting statements.
On closer examination, Philippians 4:6 encourages a person to express their worries and bring them before the Lord, rather than keeping those worries to themselves for a long time. From another perspective, it could also be said that there is a form of worry that might be termed holy anxiety. In 2 Corinthians 11:27–28, Paul harboured concerns and willingly bore the burden for the spiritual welfare of the congregation he served, rather than merely worrying about his own interests.
Thus, a life of faith does not necessarily mean the absence of worry. What is important is how one faces these worries and brings them before God.
The Life of Jesus
The most frequently discussed example of Jesus’ struggle is when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36–46). Verses 36–37 state that He felt sorrowful and distressed, even “to the point of death”. This event demonstrates that the suffering experienced by Jesus was not merely physical, but also touched upon emotional and spiritual dimensions.
Often, the crucifixion of Jesus is associated solely with physical suffering, but His emotional and spiritual suffering must also be taken into account. The Gospel of Luke also contains a description of Jesus’ sweat being like drops of blood, which illustrates the intensity of the struggle He endured.
Jesus’ suffering is also evident in Matthew 27:46 when He cried out, “Eli, Eli, lama sabakhtani?” When a person is under mental strain, one of the experiences that may arise is a feeling of being abandoned or unwanted. During his lifeon earth, He not only endured physical suffering, but also emotional and spiritual suffering. He was not only physically tortured, but He was also insulted and humiliated.
However, this experience of Jesus cannot be used to make a clinical diagnosis of His psychological condition. What can be seen from the text is that emotional and spiritual struggles were part of the suffering He endured whilst fulfilling God’s mission.
Theological Reflections
The Bible records and teaches about various experiences which, in the present day, can be discussed in the context of mental health. As a first step, the church and its congregation need to be aware of mental health issues. Many figures in the Bible also experienced struggles such as anxiety, worry, fear, sadness and stress. Therefore, Christians are not alone in facing mental health struggles. The Bible also shows that God is present and responds to human struggles.
The Church needs to address mental health issues by raising awareness and providing spaces for the congregation to receive support. Mental health struggles cannot always be understood as the result of a specific sin. At the same time, the Christian perspective still recognises that humanity lives in a world marred by sin, and so people may experience various forms of suffering, including mental health issues. These effects can be direct or indirect and are not always linked to a person’s personal sin.
Therefore, the congregation is not left alone to face their struggles. They are called to keep coming to the Lord, whilst the church is called to be present and to accompany them.
Conclusion
The Bible speaks of various experiences relating to issues of mental health. Therefore, as Christians, we need to be aware of and take these issues seriously.
The figures in the Bible also experienced various struggles such as anxiety, worries, fears, sadness and stress. These experiences show that mental struggles do not in themselves mean that a person has lost their faith or been forsaken by God.
For those who are currently experiencing struggles, be aware that God is present and cares for each of His people. At the same time, the church is called to be present, to listen, and to accompany those who are struggling.
Amidst restless souls and a faith that wrestles, we are reminded that life with God does not always mean a life without struggle. Yet, in Christ there is hope for shalom, which will ultimately be revealed in its fullness.
This article is adapted from the Bible Seminar programme. Watch the full video version on LAI’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/watch?v=ioOYpFs3cI8
