Answer
The Bible does not explicitly speak on the topic of mental health; however, it does have a lot to say about the heart and mind, spiritual brokenness, and the condition of the soul. Mental health is important, as it affects the whole being: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).
The world is in a fallen state (Genesis 3). Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2), corrupting creation as it groans for freedom from its state of decay (Romans 8:21–22). The fall of mankind has had physical ramifications for the body and spiritual effects on the soul. Mental health is not guaranteed any more than physical health is, and, like the body, the mind can get sick or injured.
The Bible has many passages that speak indirectly of mental health. The Lord is the One who renews the mind (Romans 12:2) and restores the soul (Psalm 23:3). God has given His children “a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV). We have Jesus’ promise of peace (John 14:27) and rest (Matthew 11:28). And, of course, there are many scriptural injunctions to “fear not” and to bring our anxieties to God (Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 6:34; Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 5:7).
Mental health is linked to the health of both the body and the spirit. We have a biblical example in Elijah, whose mental health suffered during his conflict with Queen Jezebel. Elijah fled the country to a place by himself where he wished to die (1 Kings 19:4). God dealt with Elijah’s physical needs first, feeding him and giving him time to sleep (verses 5–6). God knew his journey was “too much” for him in his current state (verse 7). After Elijah had rested and recharged physically, God gave him encouragement, a new purpose, and an assistant (verses 15–18).
Jonah is an example of someone whose mental health was tied to bad choices he made. Jonah wished for death after God spared Nineveh (Jonah 4:3)—a desire quite indicative of a depressive state. Leading up to that was Jonah’s rebellion against God. He had directly disobeyed the Lord’s command (Jonah 1:1–3), but, even after God brought him back in line, his heart was not in tune with God’s desires. Rather than marvel at God’s mercy and praising Him for His grace, Jonah wished to die. Getting realigned with God was the only way Jonah’s depression could ever end.
In some cases, outside spiritual forces have a direct effect on mental health. King Saul suffered distress as a result of an evil spirit tormenting him (1 Samuel 16:14). He only found relief when David played the lyre for him and “the spirit from God came on Saul” (verse 23). Another example of demon-related mental illness is the man from the Gerasenes who lived naked among the tombs and constantly cried out and cut himself (Mark 5:1–5). After Jesus cast the demons out of him, the man was “in his right mind” (verse 15). The spiritual battle had been won, and the man’s mental health was restored.
The Bible gives some guidelines on attaining and retaining good mental health. We have a description of the healthy thought life in Philippians 4:8. We have Jesus’ example of taking breaks from the busyness of life to focus on spiritual matters (Luke 5:16), and He called His disciples to do the same (Mark 6:31). We have Paul’s acknowledgement that physical exercise is profitable (1 Timothy 4:8). Self-care, both physical and spiritual, is a necessity.
God is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). He works all things together for the good of His children (Romans 8:28). The testing of faith produces endurance and maturity (James 1:2–4). Mental health struggles, while they are difficult, are not pointless. The Bible clearly shows how God can and does use them for His glory.
