Going to share a personal story about how mental illness is brushed aside, especially within the Indian community. My aunt suffered from severe depression and her husband, a Pentecostal minister, thought praying and fasting would heal her. Pray and repent of your sins, he said.

Her depression worsened and she started having psychosis and auditory hallucinations. That is when my uncle decided to admit her to the hospital. She had to be monitored 24/7 and was hospitalized for a few months.

My father visited her and said he didn't recognize his sister because of her severe weight loss. It was his first time seeing someone with mental illness, but not mine. I've been around patients and have friends that suffer through it.

So if anyone, including a Christian brother/sister, tells you that they need help, pray with them but encourage to seek help. This varies for different people. For some, counseling is sufficient and for some, therapy is needed as well. Do not shame them, do not blame them.