Christians with Mental Illness

I attended a faith talk on mental illness in St. James' Episcopal Church. Two guest speakers from the NAMI Montgomery County (National Alliance on Mental Illness) had a talk on their own experiences of mental illness. They did not suggest any Christianity-based solution to mental illness; instead, they just shared how painful their mental illness was and emphasized how important it should not be overlooked.

It was surprising that not a few attendees showed their interests in mental illness, and some of them shared their experiences. A woman asked them, "how can our church help and support people with mental illness?" One of the speakers answered,

Just listen to them without judgment.

She continued to talk,

I never chose depression by myself. I couldn't choose the best I can do. But there was God's grace.

I was impressed that the church was showing a special interest in mental illness. I believe that a true church is not a social meeting of healthy and righteous people but a body of Jesus Christ composed of sinners with sickness. I imagine that the ancient churches were such a community where anyone was unconditionally invited, embraced and loved "without judgment".