For those of us with any kind of mental illness building a support system is vital for our recovery. We need to know that we have people on our side whenever we have a relapse or an episode. Unfortunately, for many of us, it is very difficult to build such a support system. One of the reasons for this is because a lot of us have issues with trusting people. Some of us have been seriously burned by people whom we thought we could trust. Another reason it is difficult for us to build a support system is that we just do not know where to begin. We may not be aware of any resources we can turn to for help. And still, another reason is that we are much too prideful to admit that we need other people in our lives. We tend to think that our burdens are our own and we should never involve others with our burdens. All of these reasons are detrimental to building a support system and thus building stable mental health. The truth is, we actually do need each other. As it says in Genesis 2:18,
"Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good that man should be alone...'"
While this text is primarily about Adam needing a wife, I believe it also speaks about the fact that we were created to be a part of a community None of us were meant to travel the Christian road on our own. As I always say, God did not create any lone Christians. However, I do acknowledge that for many of us, building a support system is terrifying. We do not like to appear vulnerable in front of people. I know this feeling all too well because, for the longest time, I felt the same way. As a matter of fact, it was not until very recently that I became comfortable with allowing my church community to know about my mental health struggles. So, believe me when I tell you that I can sympathize with you in this. However, I have found that when I open up to people about my struggles, it creates an atmosphere of loving and caring relationships. This does not mean we should open up to anyone. As always, we should get to know people before opening up to them and that can take some time. But, in the end, it will all be worth it. In this blog, I shall give you three solid tips on how to build a positive support system and if you apply these tips, I believe, you will go a long way in creating a support team for yourself. These tips are the following:
1) Get Plugged Into A Solid Church
2) Go To A Support Group
3) Find A Good Therapist
I will elaborate on these points in a second but I would like to point out that these are not the only ways you can build a support system. There are many other ways, but these are the main ones I want to discuss because they are the main ones that have specifically helped me out. If you can think of any more, please feel free to let me know in the comments below. Now, it is time for me to elaborate on my points.
Get Plugged Into A Solid Church
There is real wisdom that the writer the Hebrews says in Hebrews 10:25 when he says,
"...not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near"
As I have previously said, we were created for the community. The writer of the Hebrews would have understood this and that is why he chose to encourage us to not forsake the gathering of believers. As some of you know already, I watch many videos made by professing atheists and one of the most common things I hear from them talking about how they left the faith is that somewhere down the line they first stopped going to church. I firmly believe that when we try to play the Lone Christian, we are more susceptible to the devil's attacks. There truly is strength in numbers and if we want to be strong in the Lord, we need to rely on our brothers and sisters in the faith. We are called to carry one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2) because we were not meant to carry them alone nor should we. We have a family in Christ to help us walk the Christian walk.
Go To A Support Group
In my experience, I have found attending support groups to be very helpful. There are many different types of support groups out there too. Are you addicted to substances? There are support groups for that. Are you dealing with Bipolar? There are Bipolar support groups. Are you dealing with Schizophrenia? There are Schizophrenic support groups. The bottom line is this: there are support groups for just about anything you are dealing with. The beauty of support groups is that when you are around other people who are dealing with the same thing you are experiencing it causes you to feel a lot less like a freak of nature. The more you open up to people in these support groups, the more you will find that your experiences are perfectly normal. If you are having trouble finding a support group, you can always look for a local NAMI (National Association of Mental Illness) organization in your area. They will help you find a support group in your region. Sometimes they even have their own support groups you can attend.
Find A Good Therapist
I know that this one is probably the most controversial point. Many Christians frown on therapy, but therapy is vital for mental health recovery. It may be difficult for you to find the right therapist that you click with, but stick with the search no matter what because when you find the right one it will be worth it. I have heard it once said that finding a good therapist is a lot like dating. The reason I say this is because when you meet with a therapist for the first time you are testing the waters by getting to know him or her to see if they are a good match for you. Do not give up if the first couple of therapists do not seem like they are good for you. A good therapist will be encouraging toward you and will even hold you accountable when you need it. But, most importantly, therapists do have keen insight into your life that you may not realize on your own. So, it is important to get an outside professional's input into your mental health.
I thank you for taking the time to read my blog and I sincerely hope that this helps you in your journey in building your positive support system. It may be scary opening up to people in the beginning, but remember God is on our side and He is guiding us along the way. If He is for us, who can be against us? May the grace of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ richly bless you all!
-David Lee Chu Sarchet
Christian Mental Health Advocate
Check out the Christ-Centered Mental Health Ministry Website
"Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good that man should be alone...'"
While this text is primarily about Adam needing a wife, I believe it also speaks about the fact that we were created to be a part of a community None of us were meant to travel the Christian road on our own. As I always say, God did not create any lone Christians. However, I do acknowledge that for many of us, building a support system is terrifying. We do not like to appear vulnerable in front of people. I know this feeling all too well because, for the longest time, I felt the same way. As a matter of fact, it was not until very recently that I became comfortable with allowing my church community to know about my mental health struggles. So, believe me when I tell you that I can sympathize with you in this. However, I have found that when I open up to people about my struggles, it creates an atmosphere of loving and caring relationships. This does not mean we should open up to anyone. As always, we should get to know people before opening up to them and that can take some time. But, in the end, it will all be worth it. In this blog, I shall give you three solid tips on how to build a positive support system and if you apply these tips, I believe, you will go a long way in creating a support team for yourself. These tips are the following:
1) Get Plugged Into A Solid Church
2) Go To A Support Group
3) Find A Good Therapist
I will elaborate on these points in a second but I would like to point out that these are not the only ways you can build a support system. There are many other ways, but these are the main ones I want to discuss because they are the main ones that have specifically helped me out. If you can think of any more, please feel free to let me know in the comments below. Now, it is time for me to elaborate on my points.
Get Plugged Into A Solid Church
There is real wisdom that the writer the Hebrews says in Hebrews 10:25 when he says,
"...not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near"
As I have previously said, we were created for the community. The writer of the Hebrews would have understood this and that is why he chose to encourage us to not forsake the gathering of believers. As some of you know already, I watch many videos made by professing atheists and one of the most common things I hear from them talking about how they left the faith is that somewhere down the line they first stopped going to church. I firmly believe that when we try to play the Lone Christian, we are more susceptible to the devil's attacks. There truly is strength in numbers and if we want to be strong in the Lord, we need to rely on our brothers and sisters in the faith. We are called to carry one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2) because we were not meant to carry them alone nor should we. We have a family in Christ to help us walk the Christian walk.
Go To A Support Group
In my experience, I have found attending support groups to be very helpful. There are many different types of support groups out there too. Are you addicted to substances? There are support groups for that. Are you dealing with Bipolar? There are Bipolar support groups. Are you dealing with Schizophrenia? There are Schizophrenic support groups. The bottom line is this: there are support groups for just about anything you are dealing with. The beauty of support groups is that when you are around other people who are dealing with the same thing you are experiencing it causes you to feel a lot less like a freak of nature. The more you open up to people in these support groups, the more you will find that your experiences are perfectly normal. If you are having trouble finding a support group, you can always look for a local NAMI (National Association of Mental Illness) organization in your area. They will help you find a support group in your region. Sometimes they even have their own support groups you can attend.
Find A Good Therapist
I know that this one is probably the most controversial point. Many Christians frown on therapy, but therapy is vital for mental health recovery. It may be difficult for you to find the right therapist that you click with, but stick with the search no matter what because when you find the right one it will be worth it. I have heard it once said that finding a good therapist is a lot like dating. The reason I say this is because when you meet with a therapist for the first time you are testing the waters by getting to know him or her to see if they are a good match for you. Do not give up if the first couple of therapists do not seem like they are good for you. A good therapist will be encouraging toward you and will even hold you accountable when you need it. But, most importantly, therapists do have keen insight into your life that you may not realize on your own. So, it is important to get an outside professional's input into your mental health.
I thank you for taking the time to read my blog and I sincerely hope that this helps you in your journey in building your positive support system. It may be scary opening up to people in the beginning, but remember God is on our side and He is guiding us along the way. If He is for us, who can be against us? May the grace of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ richly bless you all!
-David Lee Chu Sarchet
Christian Mental Health Advocate
Check out the Christ-Centered Mental Health Ministry Website
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