Faith and Mental Health a 5-Day DevotionalНамуна

 When I say that I highly recommend therapy as a tool if you’re struggling with mental health, I say it from personal experience. I know how awkward and confusing and scary it can be both to acknowledge you need help and to start the healing journey, much less to wade into the unknown waters of therapy. But I can tell you it’s worth it in more ways than I can count. . . .

One of the hardest aspects of mental illness is feeling like you are all alone and nobody understands what you are going through, but the reality is there are millions who not only understand but are trained and ready to help you walk through it. I remember when I first enrolled in my counseling program and came home from class telling my wife that almost everyone I met who was already in the profession or training to join it had so much compassion. Never had I been around so many people who were passionately committed to devoting their lives to helping other people. It was inspiring.

One of the things that break my heart the most when people deny themselves therapy is that they are missing out on benefitting not only from evidence-based treatments but also from interacting with some of the most loving, open-minded, and selfless people in the world. . . .

What is so beautiful about the men and women who commit themselves to do this kind of work is that they show up each day not only prepared to share their expertise but also the innermost chambers of their hearts, all in an effort to do whatever it takes to help those of us who are sick become well once again. 

You are not alone in these illnesses. There is help out there—really excellent help. Don’t deprive yourself of its benefits without at least trying it out. Remember, mental illness does not discriminate, but therapy just might save your life.

It did for me.

It does for me still.