Understanding Mental Health: A Guide for Faith Communities

By Sosunmolu Shoyinka MD MBA

There is no health without mental health.

Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, dementia, and alcohol use disorders are highly prevalent, affecting one in eight persons globally, according to the World Health Organization.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of common mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma-related conditions and drug and alcohol use have increased. These trends are projected to continue to increase over the next decade.

Left untreated, these conditions exact a terrible toll; not only do they cause untold human suffering, but they are linked to poor medical and functional outcomes. Additionally, they impose a significant economic toll on individuals, families and societies, from lost productivity and ancillary costs.

Within faith communities, mental health conditions are often misunderstood.
Some faith traditions attribute mental health conditions solely to spiritual causes, such as sin, demonic influence or a lack of faith. Other faith traditions actively discourage seeking treatment from medical or mental health professionals.
This can prolong suffering and can even lead to death from suicide, medical complications and neglect.

This book aims to demystify mental illness for faith communities. Written in plain language over 7 chapters, it discusses what is known about the causes of common mental health conditions, their manifestations, how they are treated and how that treatment can be accessed. It also provides tips for promoting mental health and suggestions on the role of faith in recovery.

For families and particularly for faith leaders, it positions helpers and bystanders to recognize common mental health conditions, provide immediate assistance and referral to the appropriate treatment resource.

This book will be an invaluable resource for individuals, communities and leaders seeking to understand these conditions and how to help those experiencing them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Apr 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9798987393116

Book preview

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SOSUNMOLU SHOYINKA, MD, MBA

Understanding Mental Health: A Guide for Faith Communities

Copyright © 2023 by Dr. Sosunmolu Shoyinka

Published, Designed, and Printed by BookBaby Publishing.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or

transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,

including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and

retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher.

ISBN 979-8-98739-310-9 (Print)

ISBN 979-8-98739-311-6 (eBook)

Praise for UNDERSTANDING MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

"Paul warned his spiritual son, Timothy that in the last days, perilous times would come. Seven synonyms used to explain the word ‘perilous’ include dangerous, difficult, fierce, furious, grievous, savage, and troublesome.

Each of these words graphically describes the times we are in today. With the entire world just coming out of the throes of the death grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is safe to say that this generation has never witnessed anything quite so pervasively devastating. The rise in mental health cases is one of its inevitable consequences. In this book, Dr. Shoyinka gives us the frightening statistic that by global population estimates, one in eight individuals are affected by mental health issues.

Using Nigeria as a reference point, Dr. Shoyinka helps the Church in general, particularly the clergy, as well as families and individuals understand the often-thorny issue of mental illness and the stigma attached to it. As a serving Pastor with three decades of experience, I wholeheartedly and unequivocally recommend the book as a valuable resource for approaching mental health issues in our congregations and larger communities.

The author wisely avoids the pitfalls of presenting a technical subject to a lay audience. He uses plain everyday language and avoids unnecessary technical medical terms and concepts. Where they are essential, he aptly and simply explains and defines them. The medical profession requires empathy which the author richly possesses. In addition, however, as a practicing born again Christian, Dr. Shoyinka’s compassion and tender heart shine through in his sensitive handling of the subject matter.

Worthy of note is the soundness of the theology and doctrine in the application of the Biblical truths, illustrations and application contained in the text. Of note is the very enlightening teaching on the triune nature of man, and the effects of the fall of man on mental health. Dr. Shoyinka also does not shy away from difficult contemporary issues like whether a true practicing believer can suffer mental health challenges. The illustrations, tables and charts are also inspiringly imaginative, well thought out and educational. An outstanding example is how the author highlights Jesus’s compassionate approach to dealing with the disciples’ trauma following His gruesome crucifixion, death, and burial. In one of His post-resurrection appearances to some of them by the beach, Dr. Shoyinka points out, Jesus feeds them, and warms them by a fire He kindled. Having taken care of their physical and security needs, He lovingly restores a crestfallen Peter, and others by fortifying their souls and lifting their spirits.

Over a hundred odd pages, the reader is taken on a simplified journey in seven chapters, beginning with the Importance of Understanding Mental Health, Common Mental Health Conditions and How Medical Problems Can Exacerbate Mental Health Concerns. It continues with How Mental Health Conditions are Treated to Getting Help and What to Expect. The journey ends on the very positive note of Promoting Wellness, and the Role of Faith in Recovery.

I would like to conclude by thanking Dr. Shoyinka for writing such a readable book on what many experience or deal with, but nobody talks about. I was able to read through it in a short space of time and to have my mind renewed on what is generally a taboo subject. I know he has better equipped me to understand and help or signpost to the relevant agencies or medical experts, those around me experiencing mental health challenges.

On a final note, I would like to emphasize a point Dr. Shoyinka makes about most mental health problems being treatable; and that the earlier treatment begins, the more likely it is to succeed, especially with medicine and faith working hand in hand. That really is good news."

Rev. O M Efueye

Senior Pastor, Chapel of Life, London, UK

President, Aslan Life Ministries

"Understanding Mental Health: A Guide for Faith Communities is a much-needed handbook addressing the spiritual and physical components of mental health in a balanced manner. It is well written, easy to read, highly informative and yet uncompromising in the professional quality of the information provided. It is an excellent read for anyone wishing to have a holistic view of the roots of mental issues, the signs, impact, treatment options and resources available.

There is an exploding mental health pandemic around us, which is multifactorial in origin. Contributing to it are drug and alcohol use, identity crises exacerbated by changing cultural values and the power of social media, and trauma from continuous exposure to violence in the home, on our streets, social media, television, and workplaces. In addition, the compounding effect of isolation and trauma during the Covid pandemic era have resulted in both subtle and extreme mental health breakdown.

As pastors and faith leaders are often the first line of recourse for counsel and help, it is critical that we are able to quickly discern the root of the problem and immediately direct the family or individual to necessary medical resources and personnel while we continue to pray for deliverance, healing, and wholeness. Dr Shoyinka has taken a bold and timely step to engage faith leaders, influencers, and leaders in general to greater proactivity in this area.

Thank you, Dr Shoyinka, for this book. It is a liberator for many families and individuals who have had to walk the mental health maze alone, confused, and uninformed. This is a refreshing breath of hope bringing light to navigate what has been overwhelming darkness for many."

Pastor Funmi Obilana

Assistant Continental Overseer RCCG the Americas

Senior Pastor RCCG Living Spring

"This much-needed tool serves to bridge the huge gap created by superstition, lack of knowledge and wrong knowledge regarding mental illness (which is always compounded by the dense cloud of stigma and fear). Its aim is to equip pastors and church leaders to understand that mental illnesses are far more common than we think, have a scientific basis just like physical illness, are very treatable, yet exact a terrible toll on individuals, families, communities and even governments, when untreated.

This book accomplishes much to combat the stigma around these conditions. For example, it teases apart the important concept of mental health from mental illness, counters strongholds (that medical science does not apply, that faith has no place with medicine in mental illness) and provides tips observant lay people can use to recognize mental conditions early so they can guide individuals and families that consult them to the right quarters - hospitals and clinics.

This is critical because help is usually always sought from spiritual leaders in our environment. If persons seeking help receive the right advice, good treatment can start, and long-term outcomes can be very good. The author uses plain language and offers clear advice on what good mental health is and what we must do to promote mental well-being - a lot of what has been emphasized through this ministry for decades.

This book provides a practical common-sense approach to this very im­port­ant yet much overlooked issue - our mental health and well-being."

Dr O.O. Sokoya MB;BS (Ib) FWACP (Psych)

Pastor, Scripture Pasture Christian Centre, Ibadan, Nigeria

On behalf of Pastor (Dr) Olubi Johnson, B.Sc (Physics), M.Sc (Physics) PhD

"Understanding Mental Health, a Guide for Faith Communities is a phenomenal work that proclaims a message that is so desperately needed in the church at this time. Aspects of the book that