Whether this is the first blog you’ve stumbled upon from CMHI or you are part of our very growing family, I’m sure you’re aware of the impact depression and anxiety can have on a life. Sometimes we are momentarily sad or looking for peace, but when it affects our daily lives, we must face the reality that something is more serious and needs to change. Depression and anxiety tend to run together but can exist alone as well. Every day, the world gets more comfortable with the understanding that maintaining mental health is important and requires commitment. As Christians, we not only struggle with maintaining our mental health similarly to anyone else, but we also struggle with choosing the appropriate tools to manage it whether it be through medication, therapy, relying solely on God through the bible, or a combination of these.

The purpose of this blog is to increase our repertoire to manage depression and anxiety by adding scripture. As Christians, we are blessed to have the bible as an additional weapon to fortify us alongside medication, community, and therapy, and would be unwise to not utilize it to the fullest.

What Does The Bible Say I Do To Fight My Anxiety And Depression?

When entering any fight, after acknowledging the enemy, in this case, the depression and anxiety that may be overwhelming, a game plan must be developed.  

 Mark 9:24

The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

• Not only do we have to believe that we will come out to the other side, we need to ask God for help to do that.

 Luke 6:28

“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

• Unfortunately, sometimes we are our own enemies. Understanding that there is a real battle between our flesh and our spirits gives this verse a whole deeper meaning. If our bodies are the ones mistreating ourselves, we need to pray for them just like we would pray for someone else being mistreated by another individual.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

• What we continue to obsess over in our minds, leads our lives. Make sure what you think about is excellent and praiseworthy!

Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

• What a clear command of how we are supposed to live!

Psalm 42:11

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

• It’s okay not to know why you are feeling how you feel. Just know that the Lord is here through it all and we can put our hope in him.

How Do I Know Jesus Hasn’t Left Me Alone To Deal With My Anxiety And Depression?

Alright, so we’ve come up with a game plan, but maybe it’s not working how we expected it to. We can start to doubt the plan, believe the enemy is greater, and even start to think that our great leader Jesus has abandoned us to fight this battle alone. If there is one message that is clear as day in the bible, it is that God will NEVER forsake his children. Sometimes we simply need some reminders that he won’t.

Deuteronomy 31:8

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

• Though you may feel alone during this time, remember that with the Lord as your father, you never truly are.

 Psalm 9:9

 “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”

Psalm 34:18

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

 Psalm 34:17

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

• Even your secret thoughts are heard by the Lord when you are too still to speak.

2 Corinthians 12:9

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Matthew 7:7-8

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Continue seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

• Persistence in the fight is required and will be rewarded.

Mantras To Give Peace During The Storm

Now we’ve come to a harder place in the fight. After naming the enemy, coming up with a plan, and renewing trust in our leader, we realize that we must go out and fight the enemy. Building the courage to withstand the battle isn’t easy, but reminding yourself that you can win the fight will always help. Hide these verses in your heart, write them on post-it notes, and stick them in places you always walk by, set daily reminders in your phone to present these verses to you. Whatever or however it needs to be done, start proclaiming your battle cry.

Philippians 4:13

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

• You will conquer this!

Psalm 3:3

 But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

• You are not alone!

Psalm 30:11

“You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,”

• You will see the other side of this battle!

Psalm 91:1

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

• You will enter his rest!

Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• What you are going through will NEVER be bigger than the Lord

How Do I Know God Will See Me Through To The Other Side Of This?

Sometimes, even with all the above steps, we come to this last question “How do we know we’ll make it through?” This question is completely normal when all we can see immediately is the destruction that anxiety and depression bring and the lack of peace that follows. But, what we can’t see is the future, and staying in this place of hurt believing nothing will get better WILL make that a reality.

Psalm 139:2, 7

“You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away…I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence.”

• No matter how dark the anxiety or depression gets, the Lord will always be near.

 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

• Your story will end in victory so you can share your story with someone else and bring them to victory

Trusting God

We must trust that our God today is the same God that brought the Israelites out to the other side of the Red Sea. Reminding ourselves that that is the God we serve will give us the hope and peace needed to know that we will see the other side no matter how dark our surroundings look right now.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

• The future brings a better reality.

Psalm 40:1-3

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.

• You will be restored one day!

More on the Blog….

CMHI wants to be a resource center for anyone who is questioning which way they should go when caring for and cultivating their mental health. Through our website’s blog, we have addressed:

What depression can look like:  Depression Symptoms and How to Cope as a Christian

What anxiety can look like in the context of our relationship with God : Improving Anxiety by Relying on Your Faith in God

How to decide if you need therapy: Do I need therapy?

What a Christian’s view on therapy can be: Should Christians go to therapy? What does the Bible say?

The importance of spirituality when dealing with mental health: Spirituality and Suicide Risk: Why We Need Each Other

And even…

Suicide: Suicide in the Bible: Elijah the prophet with suicidal thoughts

Bible Verses For Needing Hope

Bible Verses for Self-Confidence: A Christian Perspective

The post Bible Verses Against Depression and Anxiety appeared first on CMHI.

Hope, within the context of faith, is not merely wishful thinking but a confident expectation rooted in the promises of God. It stands as a testament to His unfailing love, mercy, and sovereignty over all circumstances. Throughout scripture, we encounter narratives of individuals who, despite facing seemingly insurmountable odds, clung to hope and witnessed God’s faithfulness unfold in miraculous ways. Whether it’s the story of Abraham and Sarah waiting decades for a promised child, or the Israelites finding deliverance from slavery in Egypt, we find that despite the circumstances, hope in the Lord is a requirement to withstand the journey. Through this blog of select bible verses, I hope at least one verse resonates with you and continues to fuel your fire of hope in the Lord throughout all circumstances.

Psalm 42:11 says:

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

 How do we cultivate hope in our lives?

 Of course, we know we have to have hope, but just like most things, it is “Easier said than done”. The million-dollar question then is how do we obtain hope to use in our lives? As much as I would love for hope to be a best-selling item in the grocery store, it is a little more abstract. Cultivating hope requires true belief in the things long awaited. As Christians, what we must truly believe in is Christ who he is to us. This belief and faith in who it is and what that means for us is what sets the groundwork to begin the battle which is finding hope. Finding hope in the bible is a great tool to help.

Bible Verses For Cultivating Hope:

Romans 5:3-4

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and hope.

Isaiah 41:10

 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

1 Peter 5:10

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.

Romans 15:4

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

Colossians 1:27  

God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery, in a nutshell, is just this: Christ is in you, therefore you can look forward to sharing in [hope in] God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our Message.

Ephesians 1:18  

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people

In whom should we anchor our hope/Where do we put our hope?

It’s easy to hope that the mechanic who has an extensive amount of certificates in his shop can fix your car. But, that’s not where your hope should be placed. Finding hope in the bible is where hope should be sought. It’s also easy to use tarot cards and crystals and the like to plan out the rest of your life. But, like before, this too is not where your hope should be placed. God provided scripture to lead our journey in finding hope in the bible. The Lord God Almighty should be the sole recipient of your hope. If he wasn’t the creator of heaven and earth, then maybe we could persuade ourselves that he didn’t have any say over what life is, but because we know that is exactly who he is, why would we put our hope in anyone less?

Bible Verses For Anchoring Hope:

Psalm 25:5

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 31:24

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

Psalm 33:22

May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

Isaiah 40:31

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint

Micah 7:7

But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 62:5-6

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”

1 Timothy 4:10

“That is why we labor and strive because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.”

Psalm 119:114

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.

Psalm 130:5

I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word, I put my hope.

1 Peter 1:13

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.

Psalm 147:11

“The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.”

What does scripture tell us to do with hope?

Similarly to how we must learn how to cultivate hope and where to store it, we must learn what to do with it when it is well within our possession. Scripture is also able to lead us to that answer. This is the practical application. When we have evidence that hope in our turmoil is possible, knowing how to execute hope is influential to the actual resolution of the situation. I hope as you reach the end of this list and blog that you realize that hope in the Lord is not only possible but the way to get through your deliverance. And also that scripture is the beginning of finding hope in the bible. Mental Health Resources

Bible Verses For Maintaining Hope:

Romans 12:12

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Mark 9:23

“ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

• We remember that everything is possible

Psalms 9:18

 But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.

• We remember that God won’t forget us

Psalm 71:14

As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

• We continue to have it

Romans 12:12

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.”

Proverbs 23:18

“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”

• Remember there is a future

Psalm16:8-9

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.

• We rest secure

Romans 8:18

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

• We hope

 Deuteronomy 31:6

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

• We continue to hope

Lamentations 3:21-23

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

• We never stop having hope

More On The Blog…

Biblical Perspectives on Mental Health

The Bible Has An Answer to Loneliness – Part 1

Bible Verses for Self-Confidence: A Christian Perspective

The post Bible Verses For Needing Hope appeared first on CMHI.

Unfortunately, when we neglect to prioritize the Word of God, we miss out on having scripture at our fingertips that can help us through life’s daily challenges.

We at CMHI understand and want to help provide you with that Word!

           Welcome to our ongoing series of Bible Verses for Situations. The first installment is Bible Verses for Self-Confidence. We hope as you go through these verses, you find a couple of common themes:

1. You are capable. Period. 
2. You are capable because your God is capable. Even bigger PERIOD.
3. Your God loves you enough to die for you and make you a valid child of His. 
4. With the tools God gives us, there is no reason for us not to have Confidence.
   

You are capable

Philippians 4:13

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 

Psalm 27:3

Though an army besieges me, my heart will not fear; though war breaks out against me, even then I will be confident.

2 Timothy 1:7

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.

Hebrews 10:35–36

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

2 Chronicles 32:8

With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.

Hebrews 4:16

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

James 1:12

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

You are capable because your God is capable 

Psalm 139:13–14

You are the one who put me together inside my mother’s body, and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this, I have no doubt.

Proverbs 3:26

For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

Hebrews 13:6

So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’

Isaiah 40:31

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Joshua 1:9

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.

2 Timothy 2:1

Timothy, my child, Christ Jesus is kind, and you must let him make you strong.

With the tools God gives us, there is no reason for us not to have Confidence

Philippians 1:6

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

1 John 5:14

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Jeremiah 17:7

But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.

Psalms 20:7

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Psalms 27:3

Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

Psalm 112:7

He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.

Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

Psalm 56:3-4

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

Romans 8:30

And these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

Isaiah 32:17

The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.

Ephesians 3:12

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Philippians 1:6

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus

Nehemiah 6:16

When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.

1 Corinthians 2:3–5

I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

More On The Blog…

The post Bible Verses for Self-Confidence: A Christian Perspective appeared first on CMHI.

I started 2023 just like everyone else, wanting it to be a better version of the year before. But, I had also started it being in a valley that I refused to acknowledge. My mental health, which I had been trying to convince myself was fine, was crumbling faster than I could put it back together. To make matters worse, because of the academic goals I had to reach, I didn’t perceive that there was time to fix it or even address it, a thought I had been loyal to since undergrad and never changed.

But finally, at the start of 2023, it became quite evident that there was no achieving any academic, let alone personal, or spiritual goals without a stable place in my mind. So, only to achieve what I thought was the most important thing in my life at that time, my academics, did I reach out and schedule a mental health appointment. I was attempting to fool myself into believing that I was taking the proper steps to care for my mental health, but it would have been only long enough for me to return to being productive in my academics. Months later, the realization that I didn’t even truly try to find help for my benefit and true state of well-being wrecked me. This was when I had to acknowledge the gravity of my valley.

The Valley Was Created Slowly

Rome was not built in a day. Just the same, my depressive state had been stewing for quite a while. I can’t recall the gradual decline that had brought me to the point. Like so many others, once you are in a rut, all you see are the walls. But God is there even when we can’t see, feel, or even acknowledge Him. My depression was largely based on my inability to accomplish progress in three areas of my life: academic, spiritual, and personal. My personal goals had always been at the bottom of the list and the first that lacked any achievement.

As a child, academics and spirituality were always emphasized, so I had not found a way to accurately incorporate personal well-being into the mix. Next, my spiritual life began wavering. It isn’t uncommon for Christians to go through times where they feel super connected to just blah in their walks with the Lord. I had been feeling blah for so long that another day where I felt unconnected didn’t make me strive to reconnect with the Lord as it had before. This left academics as the last of the three pillars. The rigors of medical school and my doubts about my intelligence became my strongest adversaries, leading me to fail in exams and feelings of worthlessness in the only area of my life that I had left to provide accomplishment. With that, I concluded that there was nothing left for me.

Once you are in a rut, all you see are the walls. But God is there even when we can’t see him, feel him, or even acknowledge Him.

Resets Don’t Need Everything Figured Out

I remained in this valley for several months. My mind just kept repeating, “We have to make it. We have to make it. We just have to make it to the next day, month, anything.” My blessing in disguise was a mandatory personal leave from school. Even at this point, with all thoughts of self-preservation gone, I was angered because I thought a break would be more days where I would be barely just making it. But as I was nearing the start of my break, I realized that God was telling me I didn’t have to just make it so I could be refreshed. During this time, I could focus on the other two areas of my life, personal and spiritual, before returning to academics.

At first, I had a million plans. I still have a million plans and am proud to say I’m OK. Even though I haven’t accomplished them all, this thinking took months. Through continued mental health appointments, medication, being honest with myself and with God, and countless conversations with my friend about the nitty gritty of everything I felt, I was able to understand grace from myself to myself, and that’s where everything began.

Space for Grace

Grace meant that I could be honest about the rigid boxes that were holding me back. It meant I could ask my friend to check in on me and be honest with her if I hadn’t moved from my bed all day. It meant leaving the house to pick up food was an acceptable form of growth compared to the day before when I probably didn’t eat. There were still days that I was frustrated or wasn’t happy with where I was. But I also realized that I wasn’t the Sariane that I was three months before. I had found a way to climb out of the valley without realizing I was climbing. I had found a way to reset without the need to start at perfection. 

Not The Mountain Top, But Also Not The Valley

I’d love to say that I have reached 100% achievement in all three areas of my life that were once plaguing me into darkness. I have not, but being okay with that is something I never thought I would ever get to be. As I prepare for my mandatory break to be over, I realize that I’m in a place I never thought I would be in. I make time for myself and the things that I enjoy. I no longer avoid Sunday services or music that reminds me of the Lord. And I’m planning and accomplishing academic goals without a debilitating fear that I am unintelligent or unprepared.

The Lord is My Shepard

I wouldn’t be here without my Lord. He truly is my shepherd. He leaves the 99 to search for us (Matthew 18:12-14), knocks at our door and waits for us to open (Revelations 3:20), and sends people to be his mouth, his feet, and his arms when we need the support (1 Corinthians 12: 12, 18, 27). I know it’s hard to rely on the Lord or have a good thought when nothing seems right. Some days, the only thing that brought me through was that I was breathing automatically because the Lord designed me to. I think He knew that we would choose to stop breathing if we had the chance.

So He designed it so that every breath would be literally from him (Genesis 2:7). And if we can’t even breathe without it being from the Lord, what makes us think we can do anything without him? What made me think I had to have it together before returning to him? I did not enjoy my journey, but if it helps another person find their way out of the valley, I’ll keep praising the Lord all the way to the top of my mountain.

More On The Blog…

The post A Reset: Waking up in a Valley and Journeying to the Mountain Top appeared first on CMHI.

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

In the morning, when we woke up, in the car before we drove off, before each meal, and at night before bed, my sister and I were taught to pray. So, in the elementary school cafeteria, at the occasional sleepover, and before getting on the bus to come back from college, I prayed. It was a habit and made me understand how much God never gets tired of hearing from us and how he will always be there for us. But as a child, mental health was not a topic of discussion. In a world where the pressures on our children seem to grow with each passing day and generation, the importance of addressing child mental health cannot be overstated.

Prayer Sustains Us

Children, when introduced to prayer, can use it to find comfort, strength, and power. Teaching children to turn to prayer in times when they feel pressure can be a lifelong source of solace. Even more so, it is one of the first forms of therapy. Prayer is a two-way conversation between a child and their Father. 

Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

LOVE: A Seed for Child Mental Health

One of the biggest concepts that I think needs to be stressed when dealing with our young ones and their mental health is love. Too many children grow up with such little self-esteem and self-love. At the core of Christian teachings is the concept of God’s unconditional love. Instilling this truth in the hearts of children can create a foundational sense of security. The majority of people start going to therapy because they feel inadequate about something in their life or them. If we all truly believed that God loves us endlessly from our youth, we would grow up knowing we are worthy. And if there were anyone who made us doubt or work for their love, we’d be able to recognize that it wasn’t worth it because God never did such toward us.

Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Proverbs 17:22 reminds us, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Growing up, there was usually belittling of the youth by the older community. When faced with that as a child, I was always reminded of Matthew 19:14.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Biblical Training

The purity that resides in a child is unmatched. It is the pressures and influence of the world that tear this state of being from them. Mental health is not only a spiritual battle but also includes the chemical composition of our bodies and minds. However, there are an overwhelming amount of people who suffer from mental health issues that grew from the lack of a good foundation. We can prepare that good foundation for our children by incorporating biblical principles into daily routines that promote mental well-being and emphasizing the importance of rest, gratitude, and self-care.

While you teach your child to do these things, it can encourage open communication within families and Christian communities. Open communication creates an environment where children feel safe expressing their thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment. This begins to remove the stigma surrounding mental health because we focused on addressing their total health when they were young. May we, as a Christian community, strive to create an environment where our children feel supported. Let us value and equip ur children to face the challenges of life with faith and resilience.

MORE ON THE BLOG…

The post Child Mental Health Matters: Fostering Resilient Futures with Faith and Love appeared first on CMHI.

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

We Were All Once Impressionable Youth 

One of my fondest memories was a series of times when I used to go to school and call my kindergarten teacher “Mommy.” Then I’d go home and call my mom “Ms. Batson.” Both my teacher and mother were kind, caring, attentive, and loving, and they spent a great deal of time with me every day. My mother can never be matched for who she is to me. But there is no way I couldn’t have developed such a strong bond with my teacher.

Who I am today is not just because of my parents and family. Ms. Batson, and many teachers after, showed me an incredible heart and purpose that I desired to emulate. I know I am not alone in this mentality. Throughout my years, I’ve had conversations with many friends, classmates, and individuals in general who have all had a teacher or a few who have shaped their lives in such a way. Truly, the gifts teachers have are undervalued, and unfortunately, too often, they are underappreciated.

Luke 6:40 “The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. 

Why Should We Value a Teacher?

A teacher, simply put, is one who shows or explains how to do something. This makes what a teacher looks like versatile. For example, Jesus was called a teacher by his disciples and those he preached to alike. Other versions of teachers we have are sports coaches, preachers, music instructors, cooking teachers, and more Teachers share similar qualities such as nurturing, always teaching, being more than just a teacher, and unfortunately, having their value go unnoticed.

Nurturing Nature of Teachers

If we didn’t feel safe with those who instructed us, we wouldn’t absorb what they attempted to instill in us. The Book of Proverbs, written by King Solomon, shows us this concept. Proverbs is chapter after chapter of important lessons. Throughout my current study of it, I see the instruction applies to every part of my life. Some lessons call me out, and like everyone else who has ever been called out, I get defensive. I find myself trying to explain my side, reason with the words on the page, and formulate any kind of permission for my actions that are contrary to what was said. It’s not a fun time.

King Solomon, like any other teacher, makes you examine and adjust your behavior and mindset, and I can only truly examine and adjust after I remember that King Solomon addresses us as his children in Proverbs. He continuously reminds us that the correction is for our benefit. It is this nurturing nature of teachers that makes them vital and effective in their job. Because I remember that everything he writes is for my benefit, I realize the error of my defensiveness and can then try to act differently with his correction.

Proverbs 15: 1 “A soft word turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Wise people learn from others; some learn only from their own experience; fools won’t learn. 

Teachers Are Always Teaching

Exodus 18:20 “Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave”

Teachers aren’t perfect. Just like anyone, they are always learning, whether it be how to instruct better, or about what they are instructing. King David is my perfect example of this. Psalms, just like Proverbs, is full of lessons, but it is also full of praise, repentance, and forgiveness. As a child, learning that David was “a man after God’s own heart” made me want to do every single thing he did because then I could maybe have a title so highly. And then I learned about every single thing he did. God is FULL of grace. AMEN. With that said David didn’t let his shortcomings or bad decisions stop him from continuing to share wisdom so we don’t make the same mistakes. The passion that he had to share what he learned, to continuously teach no matter the circumstance, is another quality that makes teachers so influential. 

Teachers Are MORE Than “Just” Teachers and Deserve Value

My best friend has been teaching for the last 3 years. Her experiences with this new generation of high schoolers are always storytimes. The stories she tells always make me realize that she has to be more than a teacher to her students. She is an empathizer, a parent, a supporter, and a confidant, the list is endless and only during her work hours. When she leaves work she becomes a daughter, sister, friend, roommate, and more yet others do not see the multiple hats she wears. Too often, this is how we see all teachers and it’s why times like Teachers Appreciation Week are important.

Teachers are servants to our younger minds and go through so much in their day-to-day that isn’t even part of their true job description. However, many do not see their 150% effort. The constant underappreciation and exhaustion can have a serious negative effect on their mental health. Not only does that terrorize a whole group of people, which is in itself awful, but what we fail to realize is that teachers are not expendable. If they all finally decide they can no longer do this work, who will instruct, uplift, support, care for, and teach the generations to come?

Celebrate Teachers this Teachers Appreciation Week

So, as this Teachers Appreciation Week arrives, remember to express your gratitude to them for their important role in all of our lives so they can feel appreciated. Pour into the people who have been pouring into you and your children or family members.  You can give gift cards, baked goods, cards of appreciation, or a homemade self-care basket. Give anything to show them that you see them and you are thankful for their constant and continuous work.

Proverbs 11:25 “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

More On the Blog…

The post Teacher Appreciation Week: Show Teachers You Value Their Work appeared first on CMHI.

Personally, a lot of my stress comes from not being able to manage a situation. If I can understand what’s needed and provide it, then I am in control. If not, it’s “the end of the world”. Proverbs 3:5-6 is a reminder that this exact philosophy is probably why I’m stressed.

Give your stress to God

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Surrendering our worries to God and acknowledging His sovereignty allows us to release the burden of stress into His capable hands. But, like most things, this is easier said than done. How do I release anything when I’ve only ever practiced holding it? Through therapy, I’m learning one way to find my relief that I would recommend you try. List all the worst-case scenarios and deal with them one by one. It allowed me to realize that everything can go wrong a million and one ways, and surprisingly, it was what I needed to release the situations and associated pressure. How can we truly control everything if there is always a new way for things to go wrong that we didn’t or couldn’t expect? We can’t and with that, we relinquish everything to him who does control everything.

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Give facts to your worry

I’m sure you’ve thought, “Okay, I trust the Lord, but what if [insert situation that you didn’t want] happens.” I would love for the remedy to those stress-driven thoughts to be “Stop obsessing,” but unfortunately, that doesn’t work. The answer is to give facts to your worry to find your relief. The Bible is filled with promises that serve as beacons of hope in times of stress.

Psalm 55:22 reminds us, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

If He will never let the righteous be shaken, then whatever you wanted to happen that didn’t, wasn’t part of the plan to steady you in this life. It would have shaken you. When we remember that, we learn, though it may be difficult, to let go of the expected outcomes that were causing us stress and instead embrace the peace of our Lord.

Relying on your community during times of stress

Alright, so we started being under pressure, and it accumulated to cause stress. We found some relief by submitting, stopping our anxiousness, and casting our cares on the Lord. Is that all? No. We need to rely on our community when we feel our stress is becoming overwhelming. We can delegate tasks to other people, ask for advice on handling the situation, or just have a listening ear.

Galatians 6:2 encourages us to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

           Also, a daily routine allows us the mental space to know that we will have an allotted time to handle what we can and, after that, move on to the next task. Sleep is important in rejuvenating your mind and body, allowing you to rest from the stress you had the day before and the energy to tackle any stressful situations that are coming up. Self-care is another big one for managing stress. It includes eating healthy, exercising, and making time for activities you enjoy. When your body has the tools to succeed, you will find that any situation putting pressure on you can become manageable. Lastly, this daily de-stressing planner requires you to stop and think about the things that are stressing you out and why.

Digging deeper into the specifics of our stressors allows us to realize that some pieces of our stress are unwarranted, but we don’t see that because we are wrapped up in the feeling of stress. Ultimately, I hope these verses, and tools lead you to destress effectively.

Are there any other tools that you use to help you relieve stress? Let us know in the comments down below!

More on the blog…

The post Surrendering Stress and Pressure to the Lord Takes Work appeared first on CMHI.

To use anti-depressants? Or not to use anti-depressants? That is the question. I think trying to understand the question of whether to take anti-depressants as a Christian starts with asking what the Bible says we can put into our bodies.

Some individuals don’t like medication because “it’s not natural,” yet will consume other processed foods. Medicine is indeed lab-formulated, but the construction of the formulas is through the understanding of our bodies through sciences like biology and chemistry. Through that light, it makes medication “natural” because we are targeting things already in our bodies. When the Lord created us, his design was for us to be perfect, and through sin, we became imperfect. So, if we can use medication like anti-depressants as a supplement to bring our bodies back to the state that He initially intended for them to be, I think that would be to our benefit. 

It must also be understood that we are not using medicine alone. We are not replacing God’s power with man-created solutions. We are using medication as an adjunct to prayer, faith, therapy, and whatever else is in your toolbox. There are many mentions of herbs, oils, and even alcohol used as medicine in the bible, and because we know there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9), if medicine was used then, it should also be utilized now in its more advanced and researched forms. 

Where does our help come from?

When faced with trials and tribulations, this is the question that is usually at the forefront of a Christian’s discussion:

Have you spent time in prayer about it? 

And it’s not without basis.

Psalm 121:1 says I lift my eyes to the hills; where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The sun will not harm you by day nor the moon by night.

With the Bible as our guide, we know we need prayer to reach the Lord, who can and will help us. But, does it stop there? Does the search for help cease after prayer and making your requests known to our Lord and Savior? Or is there more?

Not Just Prayer alone

A recent sermon I heard brought up the point that we must stop being “lazy Christians” and work hard to see the provisions of the Lord. Beyond working hard, we have to see that God can work through us to find our victory. One of the examples given was the Israelites leaving Egypt. God could have opened the Red Sea before they were standing at the edge. But instead, He had Moses lift his staff for the sea to part. Here, we can clearly see that God wants us to do more than live in prayer and rely on Him. We must also add something else. 

Exodus 14:16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. 

Another example where we see that it’s not just prayer alone that brings us to our promised land is in the realm of finances. Yes, I do need to pray to find a job, but I also need to put a resume together, put out applications, go to interviews, and the like. The same can be said for the search for a significant other. Yes, by all means, present your requests through prayer to the Lord, so He opens your eyes to this person and puts you in the places that you need to be to find them. That does not mean you can stay indoors and have the person show up to your front door or, for that matter, have a bad attitude with every new person you meet.

If there can be supplemental material for our run-of-the-mill requests to the Lord, why shouldn’t there be supplemental material for all of our challenges, like our mental health?

Scriptures Supporting the Use of Additives for Healing

Ezekiel 47:11-12 But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.

Revelations 22:1-2 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

2 Kings 20:7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.

1 Timothy 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

My thoughts

I tend to link things together that aren’t always obvious. But if you would allow me to bring you into my mind for a moment, I could present another reason I think medication can be beneficial for Christians. When the citizens came to the Lord and asked if they needed to pay taxes to Caesar, His response was to look at the coin and ask whose face was on it. When the citizens responded that it was Caesar’s face, the Lord replied for them to give Caesar what is Caesars (Luke 20:22-25).

It doesn’t mean that there was money out there that had the face of the citizens in order to belong to them, but it was the law of the time to pay taxes to the government. I believe it is the same suggestion of the Lord to seek medication for our ailments after we go to him for why would we not give to our ailments what our ailments require? You wouldn’t deny your body tea if your throat were sore, so why deny it Lexapro (or other anti-depressants) when your emotions are clinically low?

My Personal Experience

In my personal experience, using medication to help my mental health has allowed me the strength to take on the day. If I could quantify my energy and drive on a scale, it would be in the negatives. But, through medication, I can be raised to a 5, a level where I can now make decisions and participate in life. It doesn’t absolve my need for the Lord, rather it allows me to work on my relationship with Him which is something I’m not truly capable of doing while “unwell”. At the end of the day, it is everyone’s own decision on how they choose to manage their mental ailments.

I would just like medication to be an option for those who are truly suffering because the Lord does care for us and wants us to be well. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have healed so many people.

More on the Blog…

The post Should I Take Anti-Depressants As a Christian? appeared first on CMHI.

Finding Choosing a Mental Health Provider That Honors Your Faith

Sahil Singh August 25, 2025

Read More »

From Bullying to Boundaries: Church Supporting Teen Wellness

Sahil Singh June 23, 2025

Read More »

The post Nonprofit Recap for 2023: Christian Mental Health Initiative appeared first on CMHI.

My Thanksgiving Reflections

I remember one of my earliest Thanksgiving holidays when I realized I had to thank my mom for even cooking a Thanksgiving dinner. It wasn’t that I didn’t thank her on Mother’s Day when she helped me, or even daily, but it was the understanding that just because of her “mother” position in my life, it did not mean she had to give me a life that surpassed the necessities or requirements of being “good.” Our caregivers are not the only good people we should be thankful for though. As I’m sure, we are all already thinking of someone outside of that role who is fundamental in our lives and whose help we would not be here without like a mentor, chosen family, friend, etc.

!! CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW !!

Support CMHI this Giving Tuesday

Now that we all have that special person(s) in our mind, let’s dive a little deeper. Thanksgiving usually vaguely stops at being grateful. Besides recognizing the good things in your life, there is no call to action to relay reciprocal affection besides spending a few hours or days together in a hopefully joyous environment. CMHI wants to call you to action this Thanksgiving season in tandem with us to reciprocate some of our gratefulness.

As an organization, our growth in the last year has made us truly discern the importance of teamwork and the role of volunteers. And the benefit has not been solely our own. Through the help of this wonderful and growing team, we have reached all over the world and provided knowledge of recourses like ABIDE, located on our Mental Health Resources page, and events like the Mental Health Symposium. So, in the spirit of giving, we ask that you help us reach our Giving Goal on Giving Tuesday.

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”” Acts 20:35

!! CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW !!

Your Role in CMHI

The funds procured help CMHI bring on dedicated interns to work alongside the motivated volunteers and provide more resources and events to the masses. This act of help through donating to our goal parallels the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37. The story revolves around a man being robbed and beaten and at the mercy of a passerby. Eventually, a Samaritan comes to his aid even though he does not know the man. The Samaritan still has business to attend to but is invested in the restoration of the man and provides compensation, in excess, it is believed, to the innkeeper he has left the man with and states he will pay the difference when coming back along the path after his business is concluded.

I find this story resembles our Giving Tuesday goal because we are the innkeeper. Our “inn” is the online community we are building to help restore each wounded individual, and though we will continue to do so no matter the circumstance, we ask you to partake in the journey as the Good Samaritan with a donation.  

“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’” Luke 10:33-34

As the year ends, we celebrate our last two major holidays: Thanksgiving and Christmas. Have you ever thought about how ironic it is to have a holiday focused on remembering why we should be grateful, followed by a holiday focused on amassing more “stuff”? Not to say that contentment isn’t truly reached during Thanksgiving or that desiring a new killer pair of headphones is destroying the “reason for the season,” but it’s just a small thought to spend a few moments to think about as you make your lists for both holidays as well as the upcoming Giving Tuesday. Thank you in advance for your partnership!

“Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” Deuteronomy 15:10

!! CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW !!

The post This Giving Tuesday: Support CMHI! appeared first on CMHI.