The backstage story about our magnificent brains, and navigation of inner-space (that territory between our ears), is incredible. I was blessed to tell part of that story in my book (OVERCOME DEPRESSION: Strategies from Science & Scripture). In it, I identified organization as a key to effective use of information, strategies, and resources for coping with Depression and Anxiety. 

In the coming months my blog will touch on Mental/Emotional Health — a feast of facts. I am excited to recognize that each potential pain point – also suggests an approach to successful coping strategies. 

Here is an overview:

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The BPSR (Biological, Psychological, Social Rehabilitation) model is an effective clinical lens used for sharpening the focus on the broad and sometimes fuzzy subject of mental health.

The BPSR model is widely accepted in clinical practice – and it’s extremely valuable, but, in our experience, it’s incomplete. We need an additional ‘S’– to represent the spiritual dimension that believers know as the foundation for everything of value.  So our organizational model becomes BPSSR (Biological, Psychological, Social, and Spiritual Rehabilitation).

DEFINITIONS

BIOLOGY   

This is all about your body functions, needs, actions, and sensations – including your general health, diet, exercise, sleep, movement, and the impacts of brain/body chemistry.   

The mind affects the body, and we can use our bodies – to affect our minds.   It’s a two way street. Mental Health and physical health are linked.  You can’t separate them.    

PSYCHOLOGY

When we read or say this word – what comes to mind?   I immediately start thinking of the ‘mind’ itself – and how well I’m able to use it.   

Did you notice my immediate use of the word thinking?  

It is important to realize that the word ‘psychology’, as presented here, is not code for strange, anti-religious ideas or practices.  The term includes beliefs, thoughts, ideas, facts, images, judgments, and memories.  

It also includes our ability to notice our own ideas, our ‘thinking’, and our responses to our thoughts – in the moment. This ability offers practical tools we can use. 

Consider this:  2 Corinthians 10:5, says that we need to be: “…bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”   

We need to notice, or recognize our ‘thinking’ before we can offer our thoughts up to God in prayer, or hope to bring them into captivity.  We need to understand how our mind works – so that we can love God with all of it as He commands… 

     “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with

       all your mind, and with all your strength … ”   Mark 12:30

SOCIAL: 

We’re designed to be social beings, part of the ‘family’ of God – not to live in isolation.  If we want to live joyful, meaningful lives – we need each other.

Keeping our social contacts is more of a challenge during the COVID pandemic, but we need to invest in efforts to connect – with facemasks, zoom, e-mail, telephone, cards and letters, and whatever other tools we can think of.   

How can we know that social connection is part of the divine design?   We can go back to the beginning where we read:  “…And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone… ” Genesis 2:18

Our first connection must be with our God.  Our second must be with each other.  

Science has been slower to document these truths about the physical health benefits of social connection – but the research is finally catching up.  So, go ahead … invest your time and effort in reaching out to those near and dear to you.  Be creative as you think of safe ways to connect.  It’s an investment that will pay rich dividends.

SPIRITUAL

Human beings are designed with a spiritual dimension – and everyone (believers and unbelievers alike) will fill that vacancy with something. 

For some it will be their higher power, for others it may be a lover, a career, or even a substance of choice.

Believers are filled with the Holy Spirit (and we can ask for fresh encounters at any time). Through our Lord we have fellowship and life – and we have hope because … He IS.

REHABILITATION

‘Rehabilitation’ is synonymous with words like:  restoration, and reclamation.  By the grace of God –we’ll seek these together.

To whatever degree you have felt loss or injury in your mental health, relationships, dreams, plans, achievements, and/or in your ability to have and to enjoy a rich, and meaningful life – the term ‘rehabilitation’ describes our goal.   We each must define our own measures of success. 

CONCLUSION

Our ‘BPSSR’ model will help us organize, understand, and apply strategies and resources for coping with depression, anxiety, and the ‘blahs’.  Each future post will relate to one of these categories in some way – applied to common interests, news or other observations.  I will hope to add a bit of fun, humor and a lot of encouragement for spice.

Your questions and comments will shape the content, and with shared insights we will learn from each other.  

Blessings, Love and Laughter to you !

Margaret

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