Life and modern questions
What does the Bible say about mental illness?
The Bible shows deep distress in people God loved, from Elijah to David, and responds with care, rest and presence rather than blame.
If you are in danger or thinking of hurting yourself, please reach out right now: call your local emergency number, or in the US call or text 988. Find a free helpline in your country at findahelpline.com.
What Scripture says
Psalm 34:18
“The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.”
1 Kings 19:5-8
“He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat!” He looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on the coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The LORD’s angel came again the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” He arose, and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, God’s Mountain.”
Psalm 42:11
“Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. See all Bible questions or verses by topic.