Suicide

[Gregory Matthews]

The following article is a sermon preached at the funeral of a friend of the speaker whose life had ended by suicide.  It is of value for thoughtful reflection on God & suicide.

https://atoday.org/for-those-who-remain-after-suicide-a-sermon/

[GHansen]

"If you recognize that you share some of the struggles that Seth did, please don’t be ashamed to admit that you might have some form of mental illness. Getting therapy and treatment may be the difference that keeps you from coming to the place that Seth did. There should be no shame or stigma with depression, anxiety, bi-polar or obsessive-compulsive disorder.  My own story includes the fact that I have been able to avoid returning to dark pits of depression thanks to the therapists I’ve seen and the medication I’m taking." 

 

I remark on this because the speaker/author is a pastor, a public figure more or less. A pastor who deals with the trials and tribulations of life by taking psych meds shouldn't be a pastor.

[Gregory Matthews]

Ghansen made the statement quoted below:

His statement reflects a major misunderstanding of mental health.  I would make as much sense for him to have said:  "A person who takes an antibiotic to cure an infection should not be a pastor."

The origin of mental health issues may lie in: genetics, pre-natal issues, socialization aspects of childhood, and more.  Treatment may involve counseling and/or medical intervention. 

Pastors are humans.  As such they are individually subject to the multitude of human issues to which every other person may be subject.  I have SDA pastor friends who have died by suicide.  I have personally initiated the police contact that resulted in a SDA who was threatening to take their life to be evaluated by competent clinical personnel.  I have personally signed the hospital admission orders for a person whom I considered to be a harm to themself.

Medication is not the sole cure-all for every mental health issue.  But, it is often one step in the process.  I would rather have a pastor who acknowledge his/her personal need, went for help, and cooperated with the process by taking the prescribed medication than one who simply refused to admit to a need and blundered on n his/her provision of pastoral care.

Recently I had an infection.  The physician prescribed an antibiotic.  I only took the antibiotic for the length of time needed to cure the infection.  I  had a grandmother who was diabetic.   She took insulin for the rest of her life.    Psychiatric medications are only taken for the length of time needed.  Often that will be for a limited time.  On other occasions, it will be forever.

 

 

Quote

I remark on this because the speaker/author is a pastor, a public figure more or less. A pastor who deals with the trials and tribulations of life by taking psych meds shouldn't be a pastor.

 

[GHansen]

1 hour ago, Gregory Matthews said:

Recently I had an infection.  The physician prescribed an antibiotic.  I only took the antibiotic for the length of time needed to cure the infection. 

Big difference between a bacterial/viral infection and psychiatric issues, of which depression requiring medication is one. Christianity of the redemptive kind is about mental health e.g., a clear conscience, freedom from guilt, healing of traumatic psychological/emotional wounds, peace of mind, ability to cope with adversity [healthy coping mechanisms]. Talking about Satan or the Devil to a psychiatrist might get you  placed on a psychiatric hold. 

Antibiotics bring restoration by destroying the root cause of the infection, the infective agent. Psych meds don't do that, unless the problem is actually organic. In cases like that, "psych" meds are not curative, other approaches might be

If you prefer a pastor who must take psych meds to get through the daily tasks of life, not a problem for me. You can put your tithe wherever you like.  

In your grandmother's case, unless she had type 1 diabetes, exercise and a change in diet would have ended her need for insulin, as is the case with many "lifestyle" illnesses.

[Gregory Matthews]

I have known people with Type 2 Diabetes who were able to control it by exercise and diet.  However, exercise and changes in diet will not be enough for some people.  There are some people who will always need medication.

There are strong associations between physical and mental health.  There are many situations in which depressive disorders are a result of physical issues and are not a result of either spiritual or social issues.  The result is that often both physical and mental issues must be addressed which may include medication that addresses mental and physical issues.  

[GHansen]

4 hours ago, Gregory Matthews said:

There are many situations in which depressive disorders are a result of physical issues and are not a result of either spiritual or social issues.  The result is that often both physical and mental issues must be addressed which may include medication that addresses mental and physical issues.  

An individual whose physical health is such that it causes psychiatric issues shouldn't be a pastor either. An individual who has psychiatric issues which destroy his/her health can also find alternative employment. I would expect that ordained individuals who find themselves in either situation would be assisted by the employing entity to qualify for other employment. Pastors, ideally, are role models of a sort. The denomination seems to be moving toward female, homosexual, transgendered clergy. Now we can add psychiatric cases to the mix. Morbidly obese already have a place. I guess I'm old fashioned but I prefer a healthy WASP. Ted Wilson, for example.

[Gregory Matthews]

You must have a hard time living with yourself:  Never meeting the standards that you set for others.

[GHansen]

1 hour ago, Gregory Matthews said:

You must have a hard time living with yourself:  Never meeting the standards that you set for others.

I'm not a pastor.  Neither am I obese, on psych meds, or  a member of the queer community. Those "standards" are not difficult to  meet for most people, pastors included.