Mental Health and the Brain

This year, for Mental Health Month we asked Disciples to respond creatively to this question: Where do you see God in your mental health journey? We received recorded songs, poems, essays, and other reflections from people across the denomination. This post has resources and content that center mental health and the brain. To watch our intro video about this series, watch it here.

Poem, He Sees Me By Whitney Runyan

The darkness is closing in.
The intrusive thoughts and tears are overwhelming.
I feel unworthy and unwanted.
When will the nightly battle end?
Can anyone see past my addiction?
My past does not define me.
Or…does it?
I am not who I used to be.
I am growing – sober, strong, and faithful.
I am faithful to my Lord.
He is why I am here.
But, sometimes I doubt that He is even there for me.
Have I failed Him?
Does He love me, despite my flaws and failures?
In the darkest depth of my despair, I hear His quiet and gentle voice.
He calls to my broken heart and spirit.
He sees me.
When no one else does, He sees beyond the stigma.
He holds my hand and guides me.
Without Him, I would be and have nothing.
I trust Him with all that I am.

Song, He Was in A Battle by Rick Loader and Marty Simpson

Editors Note: Marty Simpson was a veteran who served in the united states military throughout his life. When he retired, he spent much of his time seeking care for his mental health. One of the ways he processed his experience in the military was through songwriting with his friend Rick Loader. The following are lyrics they wrote together over several years. 

I saw a soldier.  He was on his knees.
I saw a soldier.  He was on his knees.
He was in a battle, though it was long after peace.

But there was no peace, no, there was on peace within the man.
There was no peace, no, no, there was no peace within the man.
He was praying’, “Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, come back again.

He worked all through the week and he prayed on Sunday to his God.
He worked all through the week and he prayed on Sunday to his God.
He was prayin’, “Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, help me keep this job.

He said he had a kid.  He said, “I get to see her once a week.”
He said he had a kid.  He said, “I get to see her once a week.”
He said, “I feel like I’m playing and losing the game Hide and Seek.”

“When I was a soldier, I heard many cryin’,” he said.
“When I was a soldier, I heard many people cryin’,” he said.
I’m having trouble hearin’ now, but the sound of dying drumming in my head.

He said, “I’m not a coward.  I’ve been beaten, but I’m not afraid to die.”
He said, “I’m not a coward.  I’ve been beaten, but I’m not afraid to die.”
He prayed, “Lord, just give me strength.  I want to hold my head high.”

He said, “I pray though I may not get what I want or need.”
He said, “I pray though I may not get what I want or need.”
He was prayin’, “Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, I’m on my knees.”

I saw a soldier.  He was on his knees.
I saw a soldier.  He was on his knees.
He was in a battle, though it was long after peace.

Song, Tears of Stars by Rick Loader and Marty Simpson

I’s with a friend once when we saw a man
Sittin’ at a table nearby.
The man took his glasses and he held them in his hand.
Then, Lord, he started to cry.
He had tears of stars.  I had tears of stars.
And, Lord, you know where we are.

That wasn’t the first time I’ve seen a man cry.
I’ve shed a few tears myself.
But his tears were a’shinin’ like stars in the sky.
The man, he was askin’ for help.
He had tears of stars.  I had tears of stars.
And, Lord, you know where we are.

Lord knows, the man, he was not ignored.
My friend stopped to talk and I prayed.
Lord, we have so much to be thankful for –
Thank you, Lord, we were there that day.
He had tears of stars.  I had tears of stars.
And, Lord, you know where we are.

There’s more than one way to love one another.
We show our love sometimes in tears.
Sometimes we listen, just sittin’ together
And watching the moon and the stars.
He had tears of stars.  I had tears of stars.
And, Lord, you know where we are.

But when we’re alone and just feeling bad
With tears free-falling in waves,
We can find peace and joy in our God.
We were so close to God that day.
He had tears of stars.  I had tears of stars.
And, Lord, you know where we are.

Sometimes we gain.  Sometimes we lose.
Some mirrors we just have to face.
Life is a gift, Lord.  That’s nothin’ new.
Needin’ someone is no disgrace.
He had tears of stars.  I had tears of stars.
And, Lord, you know where we are.
He had tears of stars.  I had tears of stars.
And, Lord, you know where we are.

Poem, The Lord’s Hand by Richard Lee McVicar

How do I sing a song of Zion
In a strange land
With a strange band?

With the Lord’s help I can.
He gently holds my right hand.
Like St. Peter who sank

Trying to walk on water
That was swirling and murky
Full of tribulation.

Jesus holds out his hand,
Says I’m with you, dear Rick.
Together we’ll create

Brain health recovery.
Jesus sends all the demons
Into a herd of pigs

Running into a creek
Jesus likes to create
With joy and abandon

Bringing hope, grace, and laughter.
In the beginning, was the Word
Smelling like spices and herbs

Tasting like thyme and rosemary
Fried apples and cherries.
God will never leave me alone

Even if I have psychosis.
His fingers massage my brain
Taking away my shame,

Offering me grace.
God’s hand touches my face,
Making me whole.

Making me whole.

Additional Resources

Information about Mental Health and the Brain, National Library of Medicine

The Brain and Mental Illness, WebMD

[VIDEO] Mental Health: How the Brain Works, Nucleus Medical Media