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Dr. Clyde M. Narramore, graduate of Columbia University, New York City, is a psychologist and Consultant in Research and Guidance with one of the largest school systems in America.
Clyde M. Narramore, Ed.D.
The American Council on Educa tion’s brochure on Mental Health states— “ From high school, more young people will go into institutions seeking help for mental illness than will go into college.” In a book entitled Mental H y giene, Dr. D. B. Klein states that although the condition is much worse today, in 1938 “ over 300 patients (first admissions) entered our mental hospitals in the United States every day of the year.” Howard A. Rusk, M.D., recently wrote an article prepared in observ ance of Mental Health Week. In it, he says— “ A quarter of a million of our fellow citizens will be newly admitted to mental hospitals this year. Every other patient going to a physician suffers from an illness linked with mental or emotional problems.” It is my experience that in the typical classroom, I expect to find three youngsters who are sufficiently upset and disturbed to warrant pro fessional help. Concerning alcohol, we know from scientific studies that liquor is detri mental to the human body. Its ex cessive and prolonged use will bring serious consequences. However, I am of the opinion that the use of liquor is more of a symptom than a cause. In other words, people who are un happy, discouraged, emotionally up set, maladjusted and disturbed turn to alcohol as an escape or a relief. Naturally, they find that liquor is not a solution to their difficulties. An alcoholic’s big problem is usually not alcohol, but rather, a serious malad justment in his life. The causes for such maladjustments are multiple. They may be of a physical or a spir itual nature, or they may be psycho logical. One who is addicted to alcoholism needs a physical examination, psycho logical study and spiritual help. No doubt, his greatest problem is a spir itual one. Physical and psychological assistance can never take the place of spiritual adjustment. We cannot have real peace in life until we have accepted as our per
sonal Saviour, Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace! God tells us that we can have peace only through the blood of His cross (Col. 1:20). Thousands of discouraged, malad justed, or mentally ill people have been saved and have learned the sig nificance of Jesus’ words “ Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” God wants us to be happy and thrilled with life! He does not prom ise us a trouble-free existence, but he does afford solace as well as joy. Christ says “ These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” Although liquor is a great prob lem, a much greater problem is the heart of man which can only be, changed and satisfied through accept ing Christ as Lord! The H ight App roach In training Christian laymen to help the mental patient, what are some simple basic rules for success in presenting the gospel message? The approach which one would use to speak to a mental patient about his relationship with God, depends primarily upon the nature and ser iousness of his mental illness. A large percentage, of the people suf fering from poor mental health are no different from ourselves except that they are , more susceptible to stresses and strains in life. Most mental patients need support. They want to be reassured that they can count on you, and that you have confidence in them. In presenting the gospel, I would suggest that you present it logically and simply. Outline a few orderly propositions, then indicate briefly from the Bible how these are sub stantiated by God Himself. In conclusion, ask him for a defin ite decision to commit his life to Christ. Readers are invited to subm it questions which will be answered in future issues. Address questions to Dr. Clyde M. Narramore, King's Business, 558 South Hope Street, Los Angeles 17, California.— ED.
Tah es T o o M u ch T im e How can a pastor guard himself from an elderly person who is lonely and doesn’t realize he is taking too much time? A ll ministers face this problem at times. So many people today have no one with whom they can satisfac torily discuss their interests and prob lems, so they turn to a minister who is kind and sympathetic, and who is genuinely interested in their welfare. Little do people realize that most capable, evangelical pastors lead such busy lives that they hardly have time to eat meals, get proper rest, and spend time with their families. On the other hand, there is a great ministry in personal counseling, and the success of any ministry depends in a great measure on how well the pastor knows his people. The most successful ministers I know schedule their time carefully. When they do not have time to see a person, they say so in a pleasant manner, explaining why they cannot, and immediately they set up a time when they can see them. One person who goes to a pastor constantly, depriving him of his time, and upsetting a reasonable schedule, can do a great injustice to one’s min istry. We do no favor to the Lord’s work when we permit one person to rob our family and our church pro gram of too much time. A solution usually does not come simply by giv ing that person more of your time. Counseling is important, and the man or woman of whom you speak needs help. No doubt there is a ca pable person in your congregation who has sufficient time to counsel with the one who needs help so badly. L iquor and M en ta l H ealth How much do you blame liquor for the poor mental health of our United States citizens? I suppose very few people realize the seriousness of the condition of mental health in America. A recent manual published by Sci ence Research Associates, Inc., states that “ nearly as many people annual ly enter mental institutions as grad uate from college.”
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