WALDROP: Living the ‘good life’ — mentally and spiritually

Mental Health America of Augusta (previously known as Mental Health Association of Augusta), a United Way agency, announces its 55th annual emphasis on “May is Mental Health Month.” Its goal is to raise public awareness about mental illness and the importance of promoting mental wellness for everyone. This year’s theme is “Live your life well.” According to Donna Gum, executive director of the association, there are 10 tools that can help us do just that. We continue today with two more of them.

For many people, living the good life implies lavish vacations, recreational activities, gourmet food and wine, and a final reflective moment where someone lays back and says, “Ah, life is good.” Surprisingly, the goodness of life is both a Biblical and mental health theme. The Apostle Peter even wrote a prescription for anyone who “wants to love life and see many good days” (1Peter 3:10). Other Biblical writers would agree with him about the next two “tools” mentioned by Mental Health America.

3. Get enough rest: seriously. Rest involves principles of sound mental and spiritual health that can preserve and extend the good life. The Old Testament reminds us of the Sabbath Day on which the Lord rested after creation (Gen. 2:2); in fact, the Fourth Commandment says: “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Deut. 5:12-15). On that day, all of one’s family and servants, including their animals, were not to work all day, but to rest for the next week. In the New Testament, Jesus promised: “Come unto me all of you who are weary and heavily laden and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28-29). Without physical and emotional rest, even on a daily basis, we become like a car that will break down without proper maintenance. Are you putting off a breakdown for a better time? Without enough rest, you may be due for one.

4. Eat well: This may be more difficult than it sounds. Eating well is not the same as eating a lot; it is also not the same as eating as little as possible. The former risks becoming the Biblical sin of gluttony (Prov. 23:20); the latter may violate the Second Commandment against worshipping “graven images” (Deut. 5:8). What images? Well, those we see parading down fashion runways or frolicking on the beach in skimpy attire. Those images! What ... you thought graven images were only made of stone? No, they also include those movies and television images “engraved” in our minds about what our bodies are supposed to look like! Many people worship those images and lose their health over them.

Mental Health America of Augusta is a chapter of a nationwide nonprofit, non-governmental volunteer organization that provides information and referral services, pro-bono counseling and a mental health directory of professional counselors. Programs include the “Pearl of Happiness,” designed to enhance the self-esteem of fourth graders; “Year-One-for Newlyweds”; a support group for persons with bi-polar disorder; and an outreach program for persons experiencing bereavement. They also offer parenting programs in conjunction with the Central Shenandoah Valley Office on Youth, another United Way Agency. Workshop topics include: parenting, divorce, domestic violence, money management, alcohol and drug addiction and many others.

Mental Health America of Augusta is located in the Professional Building, Room 206, in Staunton. Gum may be reached at 949-0169; 886-7181; or e-mailed at . The Web site is http://www.mha-augusta.org. The Central Shenandoah Valley Office on youth, with locations in Staunton and Waynesboro, can be reached at 942-6757.
(Continued next week)