The Bahá’í Faith teaches that science and religion must be in agreement. Therefore, Bahá’ís look to both science and the Writings of The Bahá’í Faith in order to better understand the nature of mental illnesses. The Writings are very clear in that when one is ill, one should seek the best medical advice and, at the same time, exhorts us to continue our spiritual journey as our soul is independent of all infirmities of the body or mind.
This section of the website is dedicated to exploring mental health through the Writings of the Central Figures of the Bahá’í Faith, as well as guidance from its institutions, which explore how spiritual growth and the latest medical science combine to help facilitate wellbeing.
”In the Bahá’í Teachings it is made quite clear that when one is ill, one should seek the best available medical advice. This naturally leaves a person free to choose what they consider good in medical opinion… There are a great many as you know mental diseases and troubles at present, and the one thing Bahá’ís must not do is take a defeatist attitude toward them. The power in the Faith is such that it can sustain us on a much higher level in spite of whatever our ailments might be, than other people who are denied it.”
~ Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 284
“Know thou that the soul of man is exalted above, and is independent of all infirmities of body or mind. That a sick person showeth signs of weakness is due to the hindrances that interpose themselves between his soul and his body, for the soul itself remaineth unaffected by any bodily ailments.”
~ Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, pp. 153-154.
Download Letter from Universal House of Justice to a believer
“It is very hard to be subject to any illness, particularly a mental one. However, we must always remember these illnesses have nothing to do with our spirit or our inner relation to God.”
~ Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 281
“It is a great pity that as yet so little is really known of the mind, its workings and the illnesses that afflict it; no doubt, as the world becomes more spiritually minded and scientists understand the true nature of man, more humane and permanent cures for mental diseases will be found. “
~ Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 281
“O Befriended Stranger! The candle of thine heart is lighted by the hand of My power, quench it not with the contrary winds of self and passion. The healer of all thine ills is remembrance of Me, forget it not. Make My love thy treasure and cherish it even as thy very sight and life.”
(“The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh”, Persian no. 32, rev. ed. Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1985), p. 43)