Pastor rebukes stigma around mental health

A minister of religion is urging families to think twice before labelling unusual behaviour as demonic possession, warning that many people who appear troubled may actually be struggling with mental-health conditions that require compassion, treatment and professional support.

Drawing on his pastoral experience, Shawn Wilson, a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, said there are many cases in which frightened relatives are convinced that a loved one is under spiritual attack. However, he insists that a closer examination could reveal something far different.

"Not every person who hears voices, becomes withdrawn, behaves unusually or experiences emotional instability is demon-possessed," Wilson said.

Instead, he warned that many individuals may be battling serious mental-health conditions that require professional intervention rather than condemnation.

"Sometimes the person is sick and needs treatment, support, patience and prayer."

He believes the tendency to attribute unexplained behaviour to supernatural forces stems largely from a lack of understanding about mental illness.

"When people lack knowledge about schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, trauma, psychosis or other mental-health conditions, they may assume that unusual behaviour must be caused by demons," he said. 

Wilson's warning comes amid ongoing conversations about mental health in Jamaica, where stigma and misconceptions continue to prevent many people from seeking help. He stressed that while faith has an important role to play, medical care and psychological support should never be ignored when someone is showing signs of mental distress.

For his part, clinical psychologist Dr Paul Smith said the belief that persons exhibiting certain symptoms are demon-possessed is widespread in many communities, despite growing awareness about mental illness. 

"I have heard a number of churchgoers, Christians, people of faith say those who have these disorders are demon possessed," Smith told THE STAR. "

According to Smith, the misconception can have serious consequences, as some families focus exclusively on spiritual intervention instead of seeking professional care. Not accepting that a person is in need of mental health intervention, Smith says religious people believe they “they have to rebuke” the ‘demon’ to ensure the person is delivered. 

“They won't even support them to get the help that they need because their perspective is that it is demonic possession, and sometimes, they don't understand it either," he said. 

The psychologist noted that hallucinations and delusions remain two of the most common indicators of the disorder. 

"Very often the person complains about hearing voices and also having some delusion. Those are the two markers for schizophrenia hallucination and delusion, he said. 

"They might come to you and say that somebody is on the radio trying to get at them, or they might have some grandiose idea that they are the King of England and their palace is there, and they want to go to the palace. It's not one-off; it is quite consistent." 

Other signs may include sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, declining personal hygiene and increasing social withdrawal. 

In the meantime, Wilson said that spiritual struggles are real but stressed that faith and professional treatment should work together rather than compete. 

"I do not believe faith and professional mental-health treatment are enemies. I believe they can and should work together," he said. 

The pastor urged families to seek professional assessments when loved ones display signs of serious mental distress instead of relying solely on spiritual explanations. 

"I would say to them, lovingly but firmly, please seek professional help for your loved ones," Wilson said. 

"You may continue to pray. You may ask your pastor to pray. You may seek spiritual encouragement. But do not decide that the person is possessed before he or she has been properly assessed by a qualified mental-health professional," the pastor said.