ship with contemplative answers to some
We should also create networks where we
frequently asked questions about mental
support our people to get professional help
health or mental well-being. Encouraging
that is beyond the capacity of the commu-
One Another presents an interview with Dr.
nity.
Charles Ridley, licensed psychologist as Part
Question: When challenging life events
I of a series on mental health and mental
happen in the global community, churches,
well-being.
neighborhoods, and within our families,
Question: The American public and
there are many terms that can be confusing
many Christians are living with and/or
to non-mental health professionals and/
affected by psychological, emotional, and
or the Christian community. How do
spiritual health
you distinguish
issues. I believe
between the terms
that many Chris-
psychological,
For
me,
real
health
takes
on
a
tians try to make
emotional, mental
holistic perspective that includes
sense of depres-
and spiritual
sion, anxiety,
physical, emotional, spiritual, and health?
and fears that
Dr. Ridley: This
social
well-being.
challenge the
is messy. Profes-
human life. What
sionals often use
is depression and how should the Christian
these terms interchangeably. It would be
community respond to this pervasive human futile for me to distinguish them because
experience?
another professional may put a different
Dr. Ridley: Before I respond directly to
spin on the terms. However, in my opinion,
your question, I should say that anxiety
you say it best when you describe health as
actually is more pervasive than depres-
existing on a continuum. For me, real health
sion. Everyone has first-hand experiences
takes on a holistic perspective that includes
of worry, fear, and troublesome thoughts.
physical, emotional, spiritual, and social
Depression is a mood of sadness that can
well-being.
range from mild melancholy to out-right
Question: What is the relationship
hopelessness. There are a number of charac- between spiritual health and the other three
teristics of severe depression such as loss of
terms? Does spiritual well-being inform or
pleasure and interest in everyday activities,
influence psychological and/or emotional
appetite and sleep disturbances, and loss of
health or vice-versa?
energy. The Christian community, by defi-
Dr. Ridley: My perspective stems from
nition, is a place of healing. We should send the premise of created order. God created
a clear message that people are welcomed
an orderly world governed by natural laws
regardless of their emotional struggles.
that he put into place. These laws pertain
22 HimPower July 2018