Mental Health and the Connection of What we Think, Feel, and Say

Mental Health and the Connection of What we Think, Feel, and Say

Today, I’m happy to write this blog about mental health and mental illness because I support breaking down the barriers for those that are dealing with a mental health problem or illness and are reluctant to get help if they need it. I pray people feel empowered that there are many things we can do to foster good mental health including examining our social connections, environment and spiritual influences.

Historically, discussing mental health has been avoided and a tough topic to discuss. Even in many cultures today, the subject of mental heath can be a taboo subject, with many languages absent of psychology terms and medical imports on certain feelings, like those that are associated with depression or anxiety. This is often a sensitive topic for many because it can be connected to feelings of shame and fear of being judged as stigma and self-stigma lead to scrutiny. However, by not talking about mental health we can contribute to folks feeling isolated and possibly avoid getting connected to the very thing that can help improve their well-being. So let’s talk about it.

As we venture into the year 2025 I can’t help but feel a little tension in the public air, and this leads me to ponder how this tenseness relates to preserving good mental health. For example, when I drive on the Ottawa roads and as a precaution, leave space between me and the car ahead to avoid collisions, only to be cut off by another vehicle forcing me to slam on the brakes. Or, as I do my weekly ritualistic Costco trip to prepare for the week ahead, I feel tension between me and the person with the cart in front of me aggressively scooting to leave the store ahead of me as if we’re in a Formula 1 race.

With these experiences I feel challenged and agitated and, even though I try to positively control my life and preserve my mental health with preparedness and organizations, these uncontrollable occurrences disrupt my peace.  My impulsive response to these incidences is one of defensiveness, spitfire and justice. However, my Godly response has me asking what’s happening in that person’s life to behave this way?  I’m reminded of Pastor Mathios’ sermon and important questions on how to bring God’s lessons out of the church and into our community?

How can I represent God and His grace in my interactions while still leaving the tension-filled situation with my dignity? How can I leave these challenges while maintaining good mental health myself and simultaneously modelling a loving behaviour?

Mental health and mental illness are terms that are often confused. Mental Health is “the capacity of each of us to feel, think and deal with the life challenges we face” (The Public Health Agency of Canada). Mental illness is a diagnosable condition that affects a person’s thinking, mood and/or behaviours and can negatively or severely impact how they function in life (The Public Health Agency of Canada). We all have mental health but we do not all have mental illness. People living with a mental illness also have to manage their mental health on top of dealing with their mental illness. As we venture in this world we need to consider that we are not all challenged equally in life, and there is no real way of knowing what one is managing or dealing with in their journey. What we do know in our spiritual teachings is that we can choose how we show up for others, with this biblical perspective grounding the way we choose to represent God in our daily lives and interactions.

Similarly to physical health, there are things that can influence how good our mental health is. So what does good mental health look like? In part, it is our ability to deal with our emotions, live without fear or guilt and our ability to connect personally and spiritually. Things that can impact our mental health include our environment, habits, genetics, self care practice, social support networks and our spiritual and religious influences.

In my efforts to prepare for writing this blog I was drawn to a book entitled, “Keep it shut: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at All,” by Karen Ehman. In her book, Ehman examines how we can manage our own words so that you can reduce regret and continue to honour God.  As a mental health professional I know just how important our words are – the power of the tongue is real and managing this small but mighty organ has the ability to promote healing and encouragement. Yes, our words matter, whether written, oral, typed or thought, and in the era of uncertainty it is a tool that we can still control. Our words are a weapon that, when used right, can have a profoundly positive and powerful impact on ourselves and the world around us.

Prayer and scripture help prepare us for engagements with family, friends, co-workers and yes, even that Costco shopper that just cut in front of you. Luke 4 Vs 22 “and all spoke highly of Him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from His mouth.” This scripture reminds me that we are honouring God by mirroring Him and we learn to mirror Him through prayer and reading His word, but also through the words that we choose to implement. I encourage you to pray to God about the difficult challenges you may be faced with. Pray about how to respond to difficult conflicts in a way that mirrors God’s love so that His presence is amplified in your life and can be extended to others. I pray that if you are struggling, you are put in the path of someone that has nothing but encouraging, tolerant words for you.

Words that leave our mouth do not just effect the targeted person, they affect us as well. Can you recall a time where you said something you regretted and it affected you?

Proverbs 16:24 “Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”

There is a connection between our thoughts, our feelings and our behaviours such as what we say, all of which impacts our physical body.

So when we are faced with tense situations, I challenge us to go into the New Year choosing to mirror God’s love with the words we publicize and the ones we keep to ourselves. We can never know what is going on in someone’s head, what they’ve been through, or how environmental and genetic factors can impact people in unique ways. Being conscious of other’s adversities I think can humble our impulsive reactions into ones reflective of God’s grace. In choosing His loving kindness, we also prioritize our mental health.

As a mental heath professional, I encourage you to reach out for support if you are struggling with a mental health problem or mental illness. Connect with a knowledgeable person on resources such as a family physician, a professional working in mental health or a trusted counsellor or spiritual leader.

As we enter a new year we can remember the power of the tongue and the influence this has on the mental health of others and ourselves.

Canada, Public Health Agency of. “Government of Canada.” Canada.Ca, / Gouvernement du Canada, 15 Sept. 2017, www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/about-mental-illness.html.

Canada, Public Health Agency of. “Government of Canada.” Canada.Ca, / Gouvernement du Canada, 6 May 2014, www.canada.ca/en/public-health/topics/mental-health-wellness/mental-health-promotion.html.

Ehman, Karen. Keep It Shut: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at All. Zondervan, 2015.

Groeschel, Craig. Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life. Craig Groeschel. CELA, 2023.

Pollard, Cheryl Webster, et al. Varcarolis’s Canadian Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical Approach. Elsevier, 2023.

Patricia Lapp

Patricia Lapp is a wife and mother of twin teenagers, and daughter of two loving parents.  She started her career as a child and youth worker, moved on to be an elementary educator working with students living with emotional problems and returned to school to become a registered nurse, specializing in mental health.

Patricia has worked in the mental health field since 2001.  For the past nine years she worked as an outreach nurse with Ottawa’s vulnerably housed and community partners, that also service this population. She believes in servicing people with hope, love, humility and advocacy with a God filled heart.