Faith and Mental Health: A Powerful Story of Healing and Redemption

Are you trying to understand the connection between faith and mental health?

Amber shares her story of finding redemption in the midst of a mental crisis by staying anchored in faith.

When my husband’s first mental health crisis began, no one handed me a timeline.

Time stretched out before us with no end in sight. This was our life now.

What was before was no longer. Our new normal set the pace, and my husband’s symptoms directed our path.

His PTSD with terrible nightmares quickly morphed into major depression and suicidal thoughts as well, and as time continued, emergencies and me being on “suicide watch” to keep my loved one alive.

This was the new normal of life.

Maybe you can relate to the same battle we faced or a different medical or mental health condition, all of a sudden rocking your world and causing life to feel like it’s upside down.

Deep down, you know life may never be the same again.

For us, we had two sweet little ones and were a young military family with love, excitement, and sacrifice, serving our country and being honored to do so—until mental health symptoms wouldn’t relent, and crisis caregiving took over the tapestry of our home.

The reality of life was hard.

In the midst of crisis, I whispered a quiet plea to God—”Lord, redeem our story.” I knew that He could, and I had seen the miracles of God and answered prayers throughout our crisis journey.

I also knew what God had done in countless lives throughout the Bible.

I stood on my faith, though my physical strength was depleted.

And God was faithful as He sustained me bit by bit and led the way.

The Unknown Timeline of Mental Illness

The future stretched out before me—scary, uncertain, and heavy, mixed with feelings of helplessness.

I was a medical provider, but I couldn’t fix my husband or make him better.

I didn’t even fully understand the ins and outs of mental health therapy.

I knew, from a medical standpoint, the diagnoses, symptoms, and treatments, but there was so much I didn’t know and had to learn.

I didn’t know how to be a family caregiver. I didn’t train to be a focused, day and night, caregiver, trying to keep my loved one alive while searching for answers and the best treatment.

I grew in my advocacy and in a new caregiving skill set because I had to—my husband’s life was on the line.

What I didn’t know then was that our first mental health crisis would span almost two years.

Two years of worsening PTSD and suicidal symptoms, mental health therapies, medications, emergency interventions, and hospital stays.

For me, continual hypervigilance and being on “suicide watch” became the difficult norm, and trying not to miss anything… and the consequences would be dire.

Losing him.

Understanding Mental Health

I researched everything I didn’t know.

I researched the difference between civilian and combat trauma and PTSD to understand my husband’s symptoms and how to help him.

I researched the types of treatments and therapies available and the current evidence-based recommendations.

I grew in suicidal caregiving, prevention, and awareness.

If you have also been the caregiver of a significant medical issue, you know the unrelenting need to grow in understanding mental health and a loved one’s condition, treatment options, and navigating all the professional communication about that issue.

It is so important to advocate more effectively for your loved one.

Faith and Mental Health: Christ is the Anchor

I leaned heavily on my faith and my God in crisis.

I had walked through difficult seasons of deployments and praying for life and protection prior to then. This new battle, however, took every ounce of strength I had.

With my own strength often depleted, I called upon God’s throne room time and time again.

I prayed spiritual warfare prayers, praying God’s very own words from scripture for specific requests and praying the promises of God.

I would pray protection and healing over my husband and prayers of strength, discernment, and wisdom for me.

I prayed prayers of protection, safety, and health over my children. God heard my prayers.

He didn’t answer them all at once, and some He didn’t answer with a yes.

God sustained me and helped me to keep going, to keep fighting.

I saw miracles and answers to prayer as the Lord continued to protect my husband’s life and helped me to come alongside him in emergency moments. I had to keep persevering and trusting God for strength, discernment, and guidance.

“My belief in and perspective on God was the anchor for my soul, as the desperate winds of death clamored at our door. My faith anchored me.”

– Excerpt from The Forgotten Caregiver of Mental Crisis

I leaned into God and focused on doing the next right thing. Each moment. Each day. Taking it step by step.

Do the next right thing. Praying and asking the Lord to help me, to guide me. “Help me not miss something.”

Some days were focused advocacy days. Other days were regular life days as a young mom with playdates and playgrounds, errands and chores.

The dichotomy of life was hard. In the middle of it, I didn’t know how long it would last, and I had to keep going.

Keep fighting for healing. Keep advocating. Keep praying. Don’t give up.

Mental Health Caregiving

Lengthy crisis caregiving took its toll on me.

Caregiver burden is what it’s called, and it’s the weight of the emotional and tangible responsibilities of caregiving for someone with a physical or mental health condition.

A caregiver often puts their needs on the back burner, but if done too often, their physical, mental, and emotional health can falter.

From emergency moments, I developed PTSD myself—trauma responses and triggers, with ensuing feelings of tenseness, as if the event was happening right then.

I sought out treatment and EMDR mental health therapy for myself to process and heal from it.

I share more about this in my new book, The Forgotten Caregiver of Mental Crisis.

We have all faced difficult life battles. They can be health, financial, relational, or a different type of battle.

When we face a significant issue, may we choose to turn to God and lean into the truth of His Word to anchor us.

Our faith will be tested as we face many kinds of trials.

-May we choose to tell Him our struggles, our pain, our overwhelm, our worry.

-May we ask the Lord for wisdom and strength to lead and sustain us.

-May we choose to trust Him and His promises.

-May we stand on His character, knowing that He will never go against who He is. He can be trusted.

Finding Comfort in the Psalms

When my heart was heavy within me, I would camp out in the Psalms.

I would pour out my heart to God as David did in the Psalms. I found such solace and comfort in the Psalms when my spirit was heavy or tense within me.

David’s honesty and authenticity were a balm to my soul. I would flip through the Psalms until one passage resonated deeply, almost as if they were my very own words.

I would read the words over and over and meditate, pray, and talk to God.

“Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched.”

Psalm 69:1-3

What I loved was how David’s words about the danger surrounding him or the intense feelings he was having never ended his Psalm.

The pouring out of his heart and honest communication about the reality of his situation always turned to praise.

The praises which poured forth were declarations of how mighty God was, how He could fight or decimate the enemy, wonderful descriptions of God’s character, or how God personally cared for David.

My own heart would go through a similar form of honest, unfiltered pouring out which somehow turned to praise also and being reminded of who my God was, knowing He could heal in an instant if it was His will.

I chose to trust Him even though instant healing was not granted, and the battle raged on.

God has the Power to Heal

God has the power to heal in an instant, heal gradually, or sustain someone through suffering and disease where they do not see healing on this side of heaven.

God chose to graciously heal my husband through the slow process of showing up—therapy session after therapy session, working through EMDR therapy to reintegrate the trauma in his brain so it wouldn’t affect him in such a significant way in the future.

Just like with other medical or psychological interventions that bring healing, my husband’s slow healing was gradual and occurred as we continuously showed up for treatment.

God was working in a spiritual way in my husband’s heart and life too, but that is a story for a different time and one I share about in my book.

Redemption Story

Slowly, God began to redeem our story. God began to bring hope and calm back to our home, but it took many years. God began to heal my husband.

My whispered prayer, offered up so long ago, began to come true. Redemption. Purpose from our pain and suffering. Our story was not just for us.

The story we walked through was for you—for your encouragement, spiritual strengthening, and to bolster your faith in whatever battle you are facing.

Our story is also to offer crucial guidance and practical insight on PTSD and suicidal caregiving for those worried for their loved one, desperate, and alone.

May they know they are not alone in their battle. Not anymore. May they find hope and strength to persevere. The battle might look different from ours, but the anchoring of faith for the battle will stand the test of time.

Our story is now being redeemed and used to bring healing and hope to others in my new book, The Forgotten Caregiver of Mental Crisis.

It’s a comprehensive and compassionate companion to the crisis caregiver.

With blended neuroscience, faith, and personal story, the reader will feel seen, supported, and no longer alone.

You can start reading the book for FREE: Here. You can read more about the book here: Amberjparker.com/book

You are not alone in your battle, friend. Not anymore.

Faith and Mental Health on YouTube

Listen in as Amber shares her redemption story on YouTube. To view our conversation on YouTube, click here.

Author

Amber J. Parker

Amber J. Parker, PA-C, is a Physician Assistant, author, and powerful advocate for caregivers navigating mental health crises for their loved ones. Order her new book, The Forgotten Caregiver of Mental Crisis: Navigating Suicidality After Trauma with Increased Hope, Resilience, & Practical Strategies, on Amazon.

*This information, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other material, is for understanding and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider regarding a mental condition or treatment.