I had the unexpected privilege of attending a training recently called “Mental Health First Aid.” I say it was an unexpected privilege because I had no idea it was going to be so eye-opening. The presenters were what I would consider to be experts in their field and more importantly, they were practitioners in the field of Mental Health Services.
They shared with us a whole lot of wisdom. And they made me think.
We were discussing some of the implications of mental illness in our community and our world in general and the statement was made, “Everyone has the right to be sick and refuse treatment.” The point being that we can’t force anyone to get better, even if we know that something as simple as taking their meds would help them. Of course, the next logical conclusion would be to walk away because … “I’ve done all I can do. They have refused my help, so they are on their own.”
This dilemma happens all too often at our shelters. There are no easy answers. It is true that a person has every right, according to our laws, to refuse treatment. Along with that, we have every right, according to our policies, to refuse services to them. But are we going to do that? Aren’t we the end of the road for many of them? It’s not hard to imagine what happens to a homeless, mentally ill person living on the streets.
I must say, I am deeply troubled by this. As Christ-followers, there shouldn’t be any limits to our compassion. We are commanded to love “the least of these.” But, practically speaking, what are our limits?
We will be having these conversations as a staff and board for days and even years to come. In the meantime, we must pray for wisdom where we lack it (James 1:5) and we must see every person (story) as one that matters to God.
