Working Definition

M ental illness is a term for when we are not mentally or emotionally functioning at a level that is satisfactory for our age and culture.
• Mental Illness entered the world as a result of the first sin.
As a result of the first sin, man became afraid for the first time (Gen 3:8). When God approved of Abel's offering and not Cain's, "Cain greatly resented this and was crestfallen."(Gen 4:5). Here the Bible shows, in a sense, that sin can cause depression. As we can see, fear and despondency are seen from the beginning of time. In both of these examples, they result from individual sins. Since that time, sin has been negatively affecting mental health for centuries. Sin is passed down through the iniquity of past generations, and it is furthered by our current individual sins. In conclusion, if one really wants to point the finger at something as the cause of mental illness, we can blame ourselves, our families, our ancestors, practically the entire human race, and ultimately Satan, the Father of Lies.
*However, I don't want you to go around beating yourself up thinking that you are a huge sinner just because you have depression or anxiety. This is not what I am saying. I am just saying that sins have caused and continue to cause physical and mental disorder.*

*Also, because the below human factors also contribute, we cannot judge anyone a sinner by the level of their mental illness!

• Mental illness can be "contracted" through genetic and biological factors

• Genetic factors
There are definitely certain types of mental illness that are contracted through genetic mutation, or abnormalities such as some types of mental retardation. Also, it has been shown that genetic traits may predispose one to mental illness. The idea that specific genes can be inherited to directly cause mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, remains a theory, because scientists have not found enough evidence to completely prove causality without the influence of other factors.
• Biological factors
Biological factors such as: disease, sickness, exposure to toxins, head injury, any of the organs working improperly, malnutrition, lack of oxygen, etc. often cause or contribute to the development of mental illness.
• Mental illness can develop over time by overwhelming pain caused by exposure to trauma (real or perceived). This pain is exacerbated through unhealthy thinking and behaviors.
Our imperfect human nature does not always see things according to their true reality (healthy thinking), and we do not always do things perfectly, nor do we always do the perfect things(healthy behaviors). Our muddied perception of truth and imperfect (and sometimes downright evil) actions can be quite overwhelming to cope with. Our beings, therefore, overreact and we become mentally ill. The more overwhelming things become, the more serious the mental illness will be. Look to section III for more details about unhealthy thinking.
• Other important theories of mental illness.
Bowen's theory of family systems is an important reference for further understanding how mental illness has been passed down from generation to generation. Dr Ed Smith's Theophostic Ministry principles, tell us, "My present situation is not usually the primary source of my emotional pain but rather evidence of unresolved lie-based historical pain."(2005). In other words, because of our genetics, when we were born we were already predisposed to a number of mental illnesses. Wounds were inflicted from a young age. We then learned maladaptive behaviors and thinking from our parents, teachers, authority figures, even television.