By: Reggie Wilson Jr. MS, MSW, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, The Armstrong Center for Hope
“. . . for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NRSV)
The Bible tells us that God gave us all a sound mind, but it does not say that we always keep that sound mind. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing mental health and substance abuse services, I have the privilege of helping those whose minds become unsound. Scripture is replete with examples of God’s people reaching out and receiving help, and it should be no different in today’s world.
As a Black Christian male dealing with my own life challenges, I know first-hand the struggle of suffering under the stigma of mental health difficulties. When I was growing up the idea of turning to anything other than the altar for mental health help was seen as questioning one’s faith. Many of us now understand mental health care is a gift, the same kind of gift represented by other forms of health care like dentistry, radiology, neurology, cardiology, and ophthalmology. The interplay between a person’s physical health, mental health, and spiritual health is important to understand. Let’s consider what that looks like.
When someone is paralyzed by the grief of a death in the family and struggles to carry on with their everyday life, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) might be what is needed. CBT would is administered by a professional to connect the person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to produce the healthiest outcomes, while also acknowledging the person’s spiritual beliefs and experiences. Another example is substance abuse treatment. Speaking from first-hand knowledge, prayer works. Still, it may be the combination of prayer and substance abuse services that will help someone show great gains in the management of their addiction. A Christian therapist like myself who is trained in both mental health and addictions can teach the person the Stages of Change as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. In both cases, a spiritual perspective on these interventions or the use of spiritual practices combined with therapy could be like the ram in the bush that God sent to Abraham.
All of God’s creatures, including members of our BIPOC communities, deserve to benefit from the gifts of mental health and addiction care to help us fulfill God’s larger purpose for our lives. Thanks be to God for these blessings!
About the Author
Reggie Wilson, Jr., MS, MSW, LCSW
Reggie Wilson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing mental health services at The Armstrong Center for Hope. A graduate from North Carolina Central University, Michigan State University and North Carolina State University, he specializes in talk therapy utilizing the following: motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy interventions, relaxation/grounding techniques, mindfulness meditation interventions, and active listening, among others. Reggie believes that a steady dose of encouragement can have high positive conclusions and make it more comfortable to increase self-worth. Art and music interventions are used as well when needed. Often art, music and poetry can help speak for us when we choose not to or find it hard to.
The Armstrong Center for Hope has worked with local churches through the Council’s BIPOC mental health initiative.
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