Reflections on Mental Health ~ David

It was with some trepidation that I signed my name to the card handed out at Nexus asking us to reflect on mental health. When I talked about identity and productivity as a core reason for living, sure enough Julie followed up with an email asking me to write out a bit of my story.

My story probably revolves more around the reflections of anyone who uses their mind as their vocation—teachers, professors, scholars, pastors, and many more professions. It is not that I obsess over this, but it is a niggling contemplation in my consciousness. What happens to me if (or when) I lose my capacity to think critically, teach with competence, and contribute to my field of scholarship? Who am I? What am I? What is life like after the loss of such capacity? This was the direction my thoughts went as I wrote out and signed that card.

Four reflections emerge that help me process all this.  First, I remember that all people are image-bearers of God. In that reality all people have intrinsic and extrinsic value. Hence, irrespective of capability of productivity, intellectual or otherwise, all persons, including myself, at any level of intellectual capacity, have full value as an image-bearer of God and must be treated with dignity and respect.

Second, I reflect on the reality that time spent with people with dementia, or other capacity-limiting realities, is time well-spent. I only have to think about Tuesdays with Morrie, or “A Beautiful Mind.” I remember driving away from a visit with a parishioner with severe dementia who had no idea who I was, or would never remember I was there, and thinking, “What on earth am I doing? I have a ThD in hand, I’m a published scholar, and I teach high capacity students.” Then I thought, “This is the best possible way I could have spent that last hour.” While hopefully my presence with that man was helpful to him, it was over-the-top soul-renewing for me.

Third, I remind myself that no one, anywhere, or at any time, is without some kind of brokenness. The apostle Paul talks about the creation groaning, waiting for the day of redemption. We all minister to each other out of our own weaknesses and imperfections. Hence, even the most intellectually brilliant among us (and I don’t claim to be one of those), have flaws and failures. No one holds all the cards of capacity, and to lose more of those cards simply underlines the truth that we all need help from others.

Finally, there is that wonderful reality of identity and value found in Jesus Christ. Through his birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and return, all people, irrespective of mental or physical capacity, are embraced by his grace, love, and mercy, and as such are of eternal and infinite value. I face whatever future awaits me with this assurance and confidence.