Response to Yves Ephraim from WISH

Dear Mr. Ephraim,

Your response to WISH reveals precisely why mental health advocacy remains critically important in our community. While you frame your position through scripture, I must firmly yet respectfully challenge several misconceptions that could harm vulnerable individuals seeking help.

First, your characterization of mental health challenges as primarily spiritual matters or “victim mindsets” demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of psychiatric and psychological science. When you state that “most of the modern so-called disorders… should not be so labelled,” you dismiss decades of rigorous research, clinical evidence, and the lived experiences of millions. Mental illness, like physical illness, does not discriminate based on faith, character, or resilience.

Your personal triumph over childhood trauma through faith is commendable. However, suggesting that others who struggle with mental health challenges simply lack sufficient faith or spiritual fortitude is both scientifically inaccurate and potentially dangerous. It’s akin to telling someone with diabetes to pray instead of seeking medical treatment. Faith can provide tremendous comfort and support, but it need not conflict with professional mental healthcare.

The comparison to “our grandparents’ time” overlooks historical realities. Mental illness wasn’t less prevalent then – it was more stigmatized and hidden. People suffered in silence, often with devastating consequences. The increased visibility of mental health challenges today reflects progress in recognition and treatment, not moral decay.

Your dismissal of compassion as merely a “code word for ‘don’t hurt my feelings'” reveals a concerning misunderstanding of its importance in healthcare and human dignity. Compassion isn’t weakness – it’s a strength that allows us to recognize suffering and respond with both truth and kindness. The suggestion that we must choose between truth and compassion creates a false dichotomy.

When you claim authority to speak on mental health because of a relative’s condition, consider that this is precisely why WISH advocates for better understanding. One person’s experience doesn’t encompass the vast spectrum of mental health challenges. Each individual’s journey is unique and deserves respect, not judgment.

We will continue to speak up, not to silence faith or religious perspectives, but to ensure that those struggling with mental health challenges know they aren’t alone and that seeking help isn’t a sign of moral or spiritual failure. The stakes are too high for silence. Every time someone in authority suggests mental illness is simply a lack of faith or resilience, it creates another barrier between a suffering person and the help they need.

To borrow your metaphor about a sinking ship – yes, we must warn people of danger. But we must also throw them life preservers, not stones. Professional mental healthcare, community support, AND faith can all be life preservers. They need not compete.

We invite you to join us in building bridges rather than barriers. Imagine how much more powerful your message of faith could be if it embraced both spiritual AND scientific understanding of mental health. The God you speak of is surely big enough to work through both prayers AND psychiatrists.

WISH will continue its mission because lives depend on it. We will speak up because silence costs lives. We will advocate because every person deserves access to mental healthcare without shame or stigma. And we will do all this while maintaining our compassion – not because we’re afraid of hurting feelings, but because compassion itself is a form of truth-telling.

Let us move forward together in creating a community where both faith and science serve humanity’s well-being, where seeking help is seen as strength, and where compassion and truth walk hand in hand.

With sincere hope for dialogue and understanding,
Chaneil C. Imhoff
Founder
Wadadli Initiative for Self-Care and Healing (WISH)

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]