Bishop’s Message
It’s Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace.
This is the theme adopted for this year’s World Mental Health Day (10 October 2024).1 Recent years have generated more awareness of the importance of mental health. Today, mental illness afflicts many more of us than we used to think. We would be wise to acquaint ourselves with the different ways to promote stronger mental health in our families and friends.2
The workplace often presents us with many challenges which stress us. Saul was king of Israel when the neighbouring people of Philistia were an ever-present security threat. It is hardly surprising that the Bible records how King Saul would often be troubled in his spirit. The Bible goes on to say that the music from David’s lyre helped to remove Saul’s troubled spirit.
And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him. ~ 1 Samuel 16:23
There are many ways to heal one’s spirit, and one way is through music. It is one of the ways in which God brings healing to our troubled spirits.
It also has a way of reaching minds that seem to be unresponsive. Even in the area of modern medicine, music is recognised as an important form of therapy. May the Methodist tradition of music continue God’s good work of healing and help in this troubled world.
Almost 2,000 years ago, the Lord Jesus Christ already taught his disciples important ways to promote mental health and cope with bouts of mental illness.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ~ Matthew 11:28–29 (NIV)
In times when I feel mentally weak and unwell, it helps me to read and hear the advice and invitation of the Lord Jesus to learn gentleness and find rest for my soul.
May we as a Church help one another and our neighbours find mental health and well-being for our weary souls.
1 https://wmhdofficial.com
2 Consider suggestions in the Oct 2024 issue of Methodist Message, or go to www.who.int/westernpacific/activities/promoting-mental-health
Bishop Dr Gordon Wong was elected Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore in 2020.
He served as President of the Trinity Annual Conference from 2012-2020.