4 MINUTE READ

From Luke’s Journal Nov 2024 | Vol.29 No.3 | Mental Health II

In the Hunter region of NSW, we gather annually as Christian health professionals to pray for our region, for each other and for our patients. It is always an inspiring and encouraging time of worship and prayer, as well as an opportunity to network with our Christian peers in health.

Two hours of praying flies by. Since its inception in 2016, without fail, one of the segments is praying for mental health issues. Anyone who works in health is aware of the tsunami of symptoms relating to mental distress.  At Luke’s Journal, as we gathered articles in 2023 for the Mental Health I issue, we were likewise overwhelmed with a plethora of topics and writers. This Mental Health II issue holds many thoughtful and encouraging articles that span the breadth of life.

Our cover art is by counsellor, Joel Kelsey, a complex trauma survivor. Art and poetry are therapeutic in processing trauma, where narrative often fails us. Jonathan Browning shares an excerpt from his book “Do You See Me?” and leads us in a reflective meditation on Scripture as an example of walking alongside others in pain, turning back to the Jewish tradition of lament. Dr Michael Burke expresses a different perspective on lament, looking at the groaning of creation in caring for our environment. In Israelite history, blessing and flourishing was tied to the fruit of the land. Today, our health is also affected by our connection to nature.

As we look at the span of human flourishing, we see that all aspects of our life timeline are affected by mental health. I was intrigued to see how Andrew Orenstein would address the newly emerging diagnosis of Pathological Demand Avoidance – how much do we adjust the world for those who suffer, and how do we build resilience?  Dr Andrew Wilkinson explored the double-edged sword of screen use in Hooked and Hoodwinked, particularly in regard to our childhood and adolescent populations. For those in the juvenile justice system, Sarah Rizkallah writes passionately about our unique opportunity to support young people, embracing their full stories and helping them reframe their narratives as complex, multi-layered beings created in the image of a complex and loving God. Monica Cook wrote a thoughtful article on the rarely discussed subject of Self-Sacrifice and Sexuality, and explores how our teaching on theology may enable spiritual abuse. This is particularly helpful for those in the church who are subject to domestic violence. In all stages of modern life, loneliness is not good for our state of mind, and Jackson He reviews the theology and beneficial effects of Friendship. Finally, on approaching the end of life, Ben Boland, a chaplain in a residential aged care facility, presents an ABC for Christian Healthcare Professionals Caring for Those with Dementia, the leading cause of death for women in Australia since 2016.   

This issue also offers practical help for a number of common symptoms. Anne Ward presents a suggested formulation for chronic somatic conditions that respond effectively to a biopsychosocial approach. Professor Kuruvilla George makes suggestions for how we can create a church culture that decreases the likelihood of suicide. Jeremy Ward gives us a scaffold for addressing anger from a Biblical counselling perspective, and Georgie Hoddle reports on how the Saline Process addresses spiritual assessment in mental health.

For those who care for others, both in health and pastorally, Dr Lidia Lae explores how culture impacts our mental health, and Dr Sunny Phillip presents a course for walking alongside others who have experienced emotional trauma. Dr Eleasa Sieh reviews Steve Midgeley and Helen Thorne‘s book on “Mental Health and your Church” (for lay people in pastoral care in the local church), whilst Tanya Tufanova reflects theologically on what we can learn from Matthew Perry’s autobiography. In the midst of so much demand, it can be easy to be overwhelmed by the need and to neglect caring for ourselves and leaning into God in total dependence.  Dr Paul Mercer gives a timely reminder of the importance of holidays, particularly as healthcare professionals who are often under pressure to work to the limits of our capabilities. We trust that you will enjoy reading this issue, and be encouraged and supported in caring for others with a broad range of mental health issues.

Streams through the Desert

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