The Church has a problem with mental health!

The Church has a problem with mental health!

Yes, that is a bold statement. It doesn’t take long to find online publications suggesting that mental health issues are directly linked to sin, a misnomer perpetuated by those lacking a proper understanding of mental health.

For this discussion, I want to focus on one particular disease, and yes, it is a disease. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is defined as a “disorder characterized by severe mood swings, impulsive behavior, and difficulty forming stable personal relationships.” While this is a broad overview, BPD encompasses much more complexity.

BPD is one of the least understood mental health illnesses, yet it has the highest suicide rates among all mental health disorders. Psychologists have found that BPD often correlates with childhood trauma, and those diagnosed with BPD frequently also have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

So, where does the Church come into play? An online site called “Christian Doctrine” states, “BPD is a choice,” and, “when that person repents genuinely, there is no room for sin (BPD)!”

Such statements are deeply troubling. The notion that mental health issues are merely sin problems is dangerously misguided. Mental health is not a sin issue! While sin can result from wrong choices and decisions, it is not the cause of mental health disorders.

In the early years of psychiatric medicine, patients with schizophrenia were viewed as demon-possessed. The combination of religious fanaticism and unregulated psychiatric care led to thousands of deaths and torture at the hands of doctors who misunderstood human behavior and the psyche. Despite advancements in medical knowledge and training, many churches still cling to the primitive belief that sin causes mental health disorders.

In the comments section of the article from Christian Doctrine, a reader named Zach pointed out the article's ignorance, stating, “This is quite possibly the worst BPD article I have read. BPD is NOT a sin. For something to be a sin, it would have to be a choice. It (BPD) is caused by abuse or neglect in childhood, and is not the fault of the person with the disorder in any way.” I agree with Zach completely.

The article's writer also condemns psychiatry and advises people to avoid it, which is dangerous. Another reader named Linda commented, “To dismiss psychiatry would be like telling you to dismiss a cardiologist if your heart is damaged.”

Mental health is one of the least understood and least talked about subjects in the medical field. Those diagnosed with a mental health disorder often find themselves stigmatized by the diagnosis.

Instead of categorizing borderline personality disorder as sin, the Church should focus on healing and hope. Unfortunately, the Church has often been an antagonist regarding mental health. Most stigmatization comes from those who still believe that mental health disorders are caused by sin.

It is time for the Church to recognize mental health for what it is: a medical issue that requires understanding, compassion, and appropriate treatment. The path to true healing begins with this acknowledgment.