WHY IS THERE SO MUCH TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH?
……by Yves Ephraim
Psalm 32:2 reads: “Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.”
In this context, the term “blessed” denotes a sense of well being or a state of no negative stress.
A blessed man or woman has no negative “stress” because the Lord affirms that your inward world is congruent with your reality and outward behaviour.
This is why if your are “blessed” the Lord does not impute iniquity for the Lord knows that there is no guile or “deceit” in your heart.
No human can see your inner heart, but the Lord can. The Lord knows when you are pretending to be one way on the outside while being the total opposite on the inside. The Bible uses all sorts of words to describe this state of self-conflict: deceit; feign; dissemble; lying vanities; hypocrisy, etc.
When your inner heart and thinking are in sync with your outer behaviour, we say that you are a man or woman of integrity. In other words both your inner and outer worlds match.
There is so much concern today about “mental health” but if you examine the root cause of this, we can attribute this to many people today trying to live a lie: we pretend in the presence of others to be what we are truly not and thereby create inner conflict and stress within ourselves.
This self-conflict creates unhappiness.
Many of you cannot experience true contentment and “blessedness” because you refuse to fear God and fail to do what he says, but rather choose to live the life that the world says you should live which brings about outcomes that do not match your own expectations.
For example, the world makes you feel that entertainment is a goal you should seek, but even after all the reveling and social media scrolling, you are still not satisfied, you still feel empty and unfulfilled.
The more our society attempts to remove God from our consciousness, the deeper in moral morass and trouble we get.
Do you crave being among those who are “blessed”?
Perhaps you need to turn to God?
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This article make great points. What was said is true, for some people, but I also believe emotional/mental distress could also be the result of biological defects and other stresses beyond the control of that person.
But the writer’s point, completely makes sense and I am certainly there are people like that. In fact, the writer’s point, is one of the main reasons some commits crimes.
I want to teach people or i should say to those people, not because someone is doing something you like means they like or love or care for you, their motives might be selfish.
That is why I expressed to others, seek leaders who truly love you, who truly can set themself aside to better you.
If a leader is wealthier while in office, that person CAN NOT be considered a good leader. That leader should be able to sacrifice him or herself for you, focus is on you and doing so without the wanting anything for themself.
If a leader enter politicis with $30 and while in politics or at his or her end of being in politics now has $1000.00, I guarantee you this is not a good leader.
I asked God how much he loves me and his response was this much, he stretched out his arms and died for me. His response was not that he was focused on himself too but that he was completely focused on us and only us.
No matter what little that leader gives us, if they are still focused on themself, they are NOT a good leader.
Why can’t you guys get this? Why can’t you guys realize you deserve better. And i am not speaking about one party or party person but in general.
This writer made amazing points. Thank you Mr. Ephraim
I couldn’t even read this bs! This is the exact reason why there’s frequent talk about mental health issues now because this particular society especially the older aged generation don’t think mental health exists nor SHOULD it exist at all because if you’re going through stress or life troubles or even for people born with brain/mental issues, you should just suck it up and put on a fake smile, get your act together and GET OVER IT! Then when persons go off/crazy they say it’s drugs, when people commit suicide it’s all insensitive judgement upon that person because someone shouldn’t feel sad and depressed over something that happens in their life this is why people bottle up issues they face cuz no one cares to hear about what’s wrong .
Maybe this person who wrote the letter should ask god for a muzzle if they don’t have anything nice to say and pray about having common sense and get out the old time way of thinking in this modern society
What I’ve noticed with many of these learned guys is that they are always only reactionary. They never seem to offer any initiated suggestions or solutions on the way forward. They respond with vehemence to the intimations of elected officials. That never fails to amaze.
@mental health is real
Your points are powerful and they are true. Antigua is a place which do not believe mental health problem exist. I remember arguing with family members to consider such defects exist. They just do not believe it exist. It is generally Antigua.
And for those who thinks a person cannot say wrong is wrong because they may not have a solution, i feel sorry for you. That too is ignorance.
@Dave Ray, i certainly offered. PM Browne said he cannot help and conveyed crime and terrorism victim advocavy services that provides emotional, social and legal support is not important to him or of national importance and substantial merit.
@my way of helping:
I believe that you’re misquoting what the PM said to you. In any case, he would not be the person with whom you would an audience. The ministry of health would be that entity. From there, you can move up the chain of command. And you have to keep trying one you’re committed. Old habits are hard to change. Take your time and walk fast.
Were are all suffering from PTSD_COVID19
…#habits, become Norms!
…#norms, become #A Way Of Life!
…#a_way_of_life, defines A People!
…#a people, defines A Culture!
The Molding of Society, Culture or whatever term anyone would like to aptly apply, to define such has a profound and significant impact on one’s [mental] state of being from conception to birth to existence to extinction.
The [mental] state, of any being is plain and simple, a form of ENERGY. This energy is not only MANIPULABLE, it’s also transformative.
The ESSENCE, of Nature’s Ether, which is [termed] god, in as many forms of communication(languages), as there have being forms of HUEman existence has being harvested and harnessed; and, used to MOLD SOCIETY, through such things as INDOCTRINATIONS and INCARNATIONS.
It’s therefore not surprising, that THE MOLDERS OF SOCIETY, #who’re fully cognizant of the malleable nature, of the HUEman THOUGHT PROCESS, termed MENTALITY have used indoctrination and incarceration to MOLD cultures, society.
One of the reasons for the unstable nature, of HUEman thought processes lies within the INSTITUTIONS, namely religious and government. These are the MOLDERS which design and create the mold, into which HUEman thought processes are poured and they become, said MOLD. Think of pouring gelatinous substances into a mold and let them harden.
There are ways, in which one can FREE their now molded thoughts, which may be MOULDED, to sanitize their being and truly live and thrive harmoniously, in balance with the ESSENCE, of Nature’s Ether. This is done by first REALIZING, that there is a SYMBIOTIC relationship between oneself, and their surroundings.
Once, this REALIZATION is made one has to become like the LOTUS FLOWER (Pond Flower) and not allow the same dirty, unsanitary water (SOCIETY/CULTURE) which surrounds it(YOU), to affect you!
RASpect…
Ras Smood aka Jumbee_Picknee
De’Ole Dutty Peg🦉Garrat_Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
It’s 2024 I can’t believe there’s still adults with such a limited mindset. Does believing in God stop innocent babies from being born with life long disabilities? Does believing in God stop anyone from having a physical illness.
Prayer & Faith are extremely important but taking care of your mental health is equally vital.
If you’re uneducated on the different forms of mental illnesses take some time to educate yourself on it.
How can you speak on God but yet to realize your context dismisses an entire group who are already marginalized in your own community.
Women are dismissed as weak if they express symptoms, feelings and signs of postpartum depression. Kids are dismissed as rude and slow for struggling with learning disabilities.
Men are dismissed as soft if they express anything.
Yes more emphasis needs to be put on mental health. Schools needs competent trained therapists. Community centers need therapist on staff.
Mental health is a complicated concept. Sure everyone should always try to optimise their physical and mental health. But, the wrong focus on “mental health” in society today can also be problematic. Many people today are hesitant to take on difficult challenges because they are afraid of how it will affect their “mental health”. People no longer try to be resilient through temporary trials. Young people today often crumble at simple challenges and inconveniences. Sometimes people are afraid to be different or stand out from the crowd to solve a problem in a new way because persons are quick to label others as having “mental health” issues if they take a different approach. Too much focus on “mental health” can make people afraid to think for themselves. So, existential problems and the status quo continue because people are too afraid to solve problems. Also, most popular “mental health” issues are caused by society itself. People try to manipulate, control, malign, oppress each other every day in every place – homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, even churches – usually for power, control and ultimately money. Guess you can call it sin. And, yes, finally as individuals, people try to fit in with society in false ways to appease others, also causing “mental health” issues. So, yes “mental health” is a thing, but the root causes of problems and distresses should be pinpointed before just labelling people and shoving pills at them and expecting that to solve anything. The real solution really is to fix the broken interactions among people in society – to live in love. Follow God instead of man and don’t worry about money and status, and try not to take it personally when other people try to mistreat you in this life. Easier said than done though!
I have already responded directly to the writer, but I must state here that I find his post out of touch with reality. Recall, in the new testament Jesus speaking about feeling overwhelmed and depressed for a short period. The writer needs to stop with this outdated notion of seeing mental health issues as all being caused by sin
All this mental health goobledo is the product of some of our people who never saw something coming out of America they did not wan tto copy.. Mental health talk these days is the in thing. If some people are doing gross things, they have mental issues. Let us have a workshop to get to the bottom of their problem. Hogwash!
There is one who moved over from UPP to Labour and has now become Gaston Browne’s mental health spokesperson. She was very rude, spoilt, cocky and full of herself. She did not get her way so she threw tantrum fits. That is mental health?
One more thing. The supreme leader goes on his radio station and degrade people. He takes from the poor people and gives to the wealthy ones who are his friends.
Is that because he has mental problems?
We now have our rude and indisciplined children acting out. but rather than using a belt on their rear to send the sense up to their head, we say they have a mental health problem.
All this mental health talk is just over blown and follow fashion.
It’s always sad to see this name” Dave ray” keep popping up with his subjective response under the guide of an an academic discussion that really doesn’t help anyone, because of lack of objectivity, it leaves me to think he is keyboard happy, because there is no way I will make it my aim to just curse Gaston, so too has Dave ray never find a fault in Gaston, our dialectics would have been fraud. There is an ongoing feud over sandals not paying taxes and I commend Gaston for been undiplomatic and upfront in roughing up sandals, but in another scenario Gaston is diametrically opposed to PLH paying taxes and living off the backs of barbudans lands in real estate with even jim crow style racist buffer zone for white only demarcation. That sort a thing Dave ray have to use his intellect to tip toe around.
It’s always sad to see this name” Dave ray” keep popping up with his subjective response under the guise of an an academic discussion that really doesn’t help anyone, because of lack of objectivity, it leaves me to think he is keyboard happy, because there is no way I will make it my aim to just curse Gaston, so too has Dave ray never find a fault in Gaston, our dialectics would have been fraud. There is an ongoing feud over sandals not paying taxes and I commend Gaston for been undiplomatic and upfront in roughing up sandals, but in another scenario Gaston is diametrically opposed to PLH paying taxes and living off the backs of barbudans lands in real estate with even jim crow style racist buffer zone for white only demarcation. That sort a thing Dave ray have to use his intellect to tip toe around.
This article is bothersome on do many fronts. People should just stick to what they know…
Clearly, the author has very little knowledge of stress and the stress response…
This article reaffirms my atheism.
Simple empathy, RESEARCH and the ability to reason are abilities many negroes see no value in due to religion.
You could have written this in your diary, you self- righteous, pompous sw*ne.
So glad Antigua is a liberal democracy where viewpoints like this do not have the opportunity to erode my freedom live joyfully and in peace as a Godless atheist 🙂
“Many of you cannot experience true contentment and “blessedness” because you refuse to fear God and fail to do what he says”.
I wish the writer much joy and peace in living by the deity and scripture he chooses which brings him joy. We start to get into murky waters when people starting insisting their way should be everyones way.
But as I said. This is Antigua and Barbuda. Glad to live here in Godlessness and harmony 🙂
How old was Mary when God flew up in her pork and pregnant she with your saviour?