This is part I in a series written by Dr. Ellis Orozco regarding mental health. See Part II for further reading.
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
Simone Biles, the most lauded U.S. gymnast in history, unexpectedly pulled out of the women’s team competition at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, citing concerns about her mental health. Good for her.
It was encouraging to watch the Olympic community of athletes rally to support her decision. Good for them.
It was also refreshing to read the many supportive tweets of people who share her struggle. Good for us.
Simone won 36 medals in her career – 27 gold, five silver, and four bronze. Of those 36 medals, she won five at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Four of those five medals were gold while one was bronze.
In addition to her Olympic achievements, she took home 19 gold medals at the World Gymnastics Championships. She won gold in the all-around competition in her last five appearances in the World Championship.
Simon is greatness in motion and has given us more magical and exhilarating moments than we deserve. She has overcome and accomplished more in her short life than most will ever know. She has dazzled us and left us breathless with her beauty, poise, and elegance far beyond our ability to repay.
Simone Biles has nothing to prove and owes us nothing – not even an explanation for her struggles.
Jesus and Mental Health
“Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones” (Mark 5:5).
May is “Mental Health Awareness Month.” Advocacy groups not only work hard to secure the rights of those who suffer from debilitating mental health issues but also to educate a public that has a history of stigmatizing them.
The question that should ring in every Christian’s ears is, “What would Jesus do for the person suffering from poor mental health?”
Jesus once encountered a man so tormented and out of control that the local authorities kept him in chains. They didn’t know what else to do. He was homeless. He would regularly cut himself. He rejected any help. He was prone to violent behavior.
The man lived in a graveyard, among the tombs. We’re not sure why.
Perhaps he had lost a loved one and lived in a perpetual state of grief. He wailed uncontrollably day and night.
The graveyard was considered “unclean.” Perhaps it was the only place the man felt “at home” because he too felt “unclean.” His self-loathing led him to cut himself.
Maybe it was the only place he could go to get away from the people who might condemn him. Living in the tombs was his coping mechanism.
Those struggling with mental health issues have experienced each of those feelings. Grief for everything their illness has stolen from them. Feelings of shame and worthlessness because they failed to achieve “normalcy” (whatever that is). A desire to isolate for fear of being a burden or letting people down.
In addition, this man was a gentile. That alone would have been enough for most first-century rabbis to stay away. Jesus was not like most first-century rabbis.
Jesus welcomed the man, spoke to him, and healed him.
There is healing power in the way we treat people. Acknowledging that to be human is to experience a certain amount of pain opens the door to connection and trust. In addition, offering human contact, honest conversation, and unconditional acceptance, work together to create a safe place for healing.
Jesus refused to push Legion away. He knew that chains were not the answer but in fact a part of the problem. He confronted Legion. He treated Legion like a human being of infinite value.
It changed Legion. The demons he was fighting could not survive long with the change. That is the power of love, compassion, and human touch.
A Friend to the Courageous
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity” (Prov. 17:17).
Over the next few weeks, I will unpack various aspects of a biblical-theological response to mental health issues. I pray that it will be helpful to those who are struggling with their mental health and to the families who love them.
For now, I encourage you to reflect on the life of Jesus.
Most people struggling with mental health issues are courageously fighting a daily war. Treat them with the love and respect they deserve. Sit with them. Speak honestly and compassionately. Acknowledge and affirm the reality of their struggle. Give them a safe place to rest from the battle.
Simone Biles is the winningest gymnast in history. Her story is one of overcoming countless obstacles. Her amazing achievements in gymnastics taught us what it looks like to be a champion.
However, her decision to prioritize her mental health over another Olympic gold medal may be her greatest gift to us. A gift that will far outlast her triple twisting-double somersault on floor exercise, or her double twisting-double somersault balance beam dismount (both of which have been named after her).
At the 2020 Olympics, Simone taught us what it looks like to be human. She demonstrated unimaginable courage inside of her four-foot-eight frame. She entered the Tokyo Olympics already a world-class gymnastics champion. She left without a single medal but emerged a different kind of champion – a champion of humanity.
For that, we should be forever grateful.
This insight was written by Dr. Ellis Orozco, the Public Theologian in Residence at Stark College & Seminary. Dr. Orozco served in ministry as a pastor for 30 years and is the founder and CEO of Karooso Ministries.
Visit Dr. Orozco’s Blog to read more.