On December 3, 2012, at age 16, he took his parents van and drove it into oncoming traffic. Miraculously he survived his attempt at suicide, accepted treatment for his depression and now shares his story to raise awareness of the issue.
Maxwell was among the presenters at the inaugural Diocesan Behavioral Health Conference held at the Diocesan Pastoral Center on May 13. Highlighting the relationship between spirituality and psychology, the daylong conference offered various workshops and resources.
“What I went through, my peers are suffering this every single day,” Maxwell said. “This is taking my peers today and will continue to until we take a stand.”
The conference was sponsored by the Diocese of San Bernardino in collaboration with Catholic Charities San Bernardino-Riverside, Loma Linda University, San Bernardino County Behavioral Health, Riverside County Department of Mental Health, Christian Counseling Service, and National Alliance on Mental Illness.
The keynote address was presented by Father Stephan Kappler, M.Div; Psy. D., Director of KAIROS Psychology Group. In his address, he called for the need to introduce spirituality into the therapeutic process.
Approaching it from the biblical context, Fr. Kappler connected the resurrection of Lazarus with mental illness and pastoral care. Breaking down the Gospel story from John, chapter 11, he reflected on the Lord’s invitation for healing and his invitation for people to be facilitators of healing.
“We help untie people and facilitate that they can once again go forward. They can go free,” Fr. Kappler said.
He likened suffering from mental health issues to being in a dark room with a locked door, separated from the light.
“For many of our clients, parishioners, friends who are dealing with mental health issues, they are unable to approach the door, let alone unlock it,” Fr. Kappler said. “I believe every single one of us who is sitting in this room right now is a participant in God’s healing ministry. A big part of our work is to help facilitate the unlocking of the door.”
Just as someone who comes to a church minister with a physical ailment would be referred to a medical professional after their spiritual needs were addressed, so too should clergy refer people with mental health issues to mental health professionals, he said.
“Many times we will invite them in and pray for them, but it will end right there,” Fr. Kappler said. “Not enough of us are trained and empowered to say, please see someone. Please seek out a mental health provider. Have your depression treated.”
He highlighted some of the obstacles that prevent integration of psychology and spirituality. The population served is highly spiritual, but generally those in the mental health field are not, he said. There is still a stigma attached to mental health.
“Stigmas are perpetuated when we give poor advice, such as ‘men don’t cry’ or ‘you didn’t pray hard enough,’” Fr. Kappler said. “Put on a new lens when encountering people in their depressions.”
It was noted that clergy are not adequately trained in the mental health field. Many have had a negative experience with psychology that can prevent them from collaborating with mental health providers.
Cultural issues can play a part as well. There can also a disparity in the language, meaning a person who is spiritual might be more accepted than someone who is religious, Fr. Kappler said in his talk.
Research shows religiousness and spirituality are both associated with physical and mental health. Together, they help to lower levels of psychological distress, decreasing depressive symptoms, improving health and quality of life. There is a clear connection between spirituality and health.
“Mental health providers and pastoral folks need to be on the same page, because we know faith, spirituality and health go together,” Fr. Kappler said. “We are all in the same work, promoting health, healing and balance.”
In order to provide better care to those suffering from mental illness, Fr. Kappler advocated for more collaboration between pastoral leaders and the healthcare community. He encouraged priests, religious, deacons, and pastoral ministers to address mental health often with positive and non-stigmatizing language.
“Let us use our power wisely. We have lots of ways of breaking the silence, but we need to do it,” Fr. Kappler said.
He also asked mental health providers to be sensitive and mindful of cultural and spiritual practices.
The keynote address was followed by two workshop sessions. Topics ranged from recognizing depression and suicide prevention, to integrating spirituality in mental health and preventing burnout. The afternoon session included a speaker panel and testimonies.
“This conference is timely and groundbreaking,” said Deborah Nemley, MSW, a medical social worker in Moreno Valley. “We are all spiritual beings and cannot separate spirituality from the treatment plan. It must be integrated in order to effectively heal those requiring behavioral and mental health services.”
Nemley, who came with fellow social worker Julie Griffin, MSW, received an email invitation to the event and decided to participate.
“It was interesting to see that the majority of people we are working with have a deep sense of faith and spirituality,” Griffin said. “We need to dispel the stigma first. We not just pray for them, but we need to be advocates. They need to know we [behavioral health community] are available for them too.”