Some key facts about mental disorders are that it "afflict hundreds of millions of people in every part of the world and impact on the lives of their loved ones. One in four people will be affected by mental disorder at some point in their lives. Depression is the single largest contributor to worldwide disability. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are among the most severe and disabling disorders......Although huge numbers of people are affected, mental disorders remain hidden, neglected and discriminated against".(WHO or World Health Organization, October, 2001)
And according to WHO, many people with mental illness refrain from seeking treatment because of the stigma associated with it. Also, although most mental disorders are treatable, in the United States approximately 60 percent of adults and almost 50 percent of youths aged 8 to 15 with a mental disorder did not receive treatment in 2013, as noted in the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
How then can one come to understand a mental disorder ? First, it is necessary to grasp what mental illness is. Experts define a mental disorder as a significant dysfunction in a person's thinking, emotional control, and behavior. Having this condition often disrupts a person's ability to relate to others and deal with the everyday demands of life.
And it need be noted that having a mental disorder is not the result of personal weakness or character flaw. Many people have learned though to deal with their mental disorder after acquiring a better understanding of their condition and following any treatment prescribed by mental-health professionals.
Can the Bible be of help ? Yes it can. The Bible does not indicate that spirituality cures medical or mental health problems. Yet, many families around the world have gained much comfort and strength from what the Bible teaches. It has given them hope for corrective change.
For instance, the Bible assures us that our loving Creator, Jehovah God, is keenly interested in consoling those who are "brokenhearted" and "crushed in spirit".(Ps 34:18) While the Bible is not a health care book, it provides practical guidelines that give a person coping skills so as to deal with painful emotions and distressing circumstances. (source of above information: December 2014 Awake ! magazine entitled "What You Should Know About Mental Disorders", published by Jehovah's Witnesses and available for free download)
It also gives hope of a future when life will be free of all illnesses and pain of heart. Revelation 21 says concerning when the earth is transformed into a paradise: "Look ! The tent of God is with mankind (on the earth where mankind lives, not in heaven), and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain (of heart or excessive pain caused by serious injury or otherwise) be anymore. The former things have passed away. And the One (Jehovah God) seated on the throne said: "Look ! I am making all things new (as in the garden of Eden when perfection reigned before Adam and Eve's rebellion)". Also he says: "Write, for these words are faithful and true".(Rev 21:3-5)
David wrote: "And the meek ones will possess the earth, and they will find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace (no physical ailments, only perfection in body and mind, as Adam was before he sinned)....forever".(Ps 37:11, 29; see also Jesus words at Matt 5:5)
Thus, God has purposed that all forms of illness, including mental disorders will be eradicated in the near future for "meek" ones.