Holistic Support and Mental Balance

The Chaplain intervention should embrace both the pastoral and prophetic ministry and provide both care and hope to the person struggling with mental illness.

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Chaplain’s ministry will include:

• The ministry of presence. When a person is diagnosed with a severe mental illness, their hopes are torn, and they suffer shame. Be present and attentive to their needs as you walk with them in their illness. When medical treatment doesn’t help, and medication adjustments are required, the chaplain’s presence can be a great source of strength.

• Good listening skills. Listen with your ears and heart as the patient entrusts you with their story.

• Maintain their identity as a person, not an illness. Encourage this distinction in their self-description as well as your own; for example, “John is a member of our church who struggles with Schizophrenia”, rather than “John is a schizophrenic”.

• Acceptance. You may be the only person who has accepted the patient for who they are: a child of God, not a diagnosis. Listening to the person builds their self-esteem.

• Affirmation. Often, the patient may feel guilty, unworthy, or as if God has abandoned them and imposed punishment on them. Affirm their dignity. Help them claim worth in the family of God.

• The chaplain will become the “voice of one crying in the wilderness”, addressing the rights of people with mental illness to the community. Become proactive in the battle to stamp out the stigma of mental illness.

• Proclaim hope for healing by helping them to understand that God can bring healing as they follow their treatment plan, especially when their personal faith in Jesus Christ is included in the plan.

• Learn to network and utilize agencies such as the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) for further support and help. Toll-free NAMI HelpLine (1-800-950-NAMI) that provides information, referrals, and support.