JOSR: Journal of Social Research
Desember 2022, 2 (1), 97-103
p-ISSN: 2827-9832 e-ISSN: 2828-335x
Available online at http:// https://ijsr.internationaljournallabs.com/index.php/ijsr
http://ijsr.internationaljournallabs.com/index.php/ijsr
THE ROLE OF CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN THE
RECOVERY OF MENTAL DISORDERS
Yunus Tan
Indonesian Christian University
jonahchen239@gmail.com
Abstract (Indonesia)
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
November 26,
2022
November 29,
2022
December 01,
2022
Latar Belakang: Pendidikan agama Kristen tidak hanya
sebatas pembelajaran keilmuan tetapi juga dipraktikkan
dalam kehidupan sehari-hari, salah satunya dalam pemulihan
gangguan mental.
Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui peran
pendidikan agama Kristen dalam pemulihan gangguan
mental.
Metode: Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian
kualitatif dengan pendekatan deskriptif, sedangkan teknik
pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan studi literatur melalui
eksplorasi jurnal, buku, dan informasi lain yang relevan
dengan penelitian.
Hasil: Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa peran
pendidikan agama Kristen dalam pemulihan gangguan
mental adalah sebagai panduan untuk mengajarkan makna
hidup, untuk menjauhkan mereka yang memicu masalah,
untuk membawa harapan yang baik dan untuk membawa
ketenangan.
Kesimpulan: Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa peran
pendidikan agama Kristen dalam pemulihan gangguan
mental adalah sebagai panduan untuk mengajarkan makna
hidup, untuk menjauhkan mereka yang memicu masalah,
untuk membawa harapan baik dan untuk membawa
ketenangan.
Kata Kunci: pendidikan, agama kristen, pemulihan
gangguan mental
Abstract (English)
Background: Christian religious education is not only
limited to scientific learning but also practiced in everyday
life, one of which is in the recovery of mental disorders.
Yunus Tan / JOSR: Journal of Social Research, 2(1), 97-103
The Role of Christian Religious Education in the Recovery of Mental Disorders
98
Objective: This study aims to determine the role of
Christian religious education in the recovery of mental
disorders.
Method: This research uses qualitative research methods
with a descriptive approach, while data collection
techniques are carried out with literature studies through
the exploration of journals, books, and other information
relevant to the study.
Results: The results showed that the role of Christian
religious education in the recovery of mental disorders is
as a guide to teach the meaning of life, to keep away those
who trigger problems, to bring good hope, and to bring
tranquility.
Conclusion: The results showed that the role of Christian
religious education in the recovery of mental disorders is
as a guide to teach the meaning of life, to keep away those
who trigger problems, to bring good hope, and to bring
tranquility.
Keywords: education, christianity, recovery of mental
disorders
*Correspondent Author: Yunus Tan
Email: jonahchen239@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION
Christian education is education by involving all church members being more
aware of sin and living in the Word of Jesus Christ so that they can serve and be responsible
in communion, namely the church (Sahertian, 2019a). Christian religious education is an
effort to develop the ability of students to understand and live the love of God in Jesus
Christ, which can be expressed in everyday life towards others, nature, and the environment
(Sahertian, 2019b).
Christian religious education is an effort to develop the ability of students to
understand and live the love of God in Jesus Christ, which can be expressed in everyday
life towards others, nature, and the environment Christian religious education is not just an
understanding of the teaching of Christianity scientifically (cognitively), but a personal life
that can be practiced through attitudes (affective) and daily actions (psychomotor), so that
through Christian religious education Christians grow in the steadfastness of faith and
spiritual maturity (Telaumbanua, 2020).
Every day through the medium of information, both print and electronic, news of
criminality, the tragedy of domestic violence, rape, sexual abuse, prostitution, and various
other forms of crime always appear. This illustrates that the life of our society is ailing.
Society experiences an identity crisis that boils down to a moral and spiritual crisis. Even
more stifling, the phenomenon of moral and spiritual crises that has been rife lately has not
only afflicted adults but has involved children. From the current condition of society, it can
be seen that the mental health of each individual cannot be equalized. This condition
Yunus Tan / JOSR: Journal of Social Research, 2(1), 97-103
The Role of Christian Religious Education in the Recovery of Mental Disorders
99
increasingly makes the urgency of discussing mental health which leads to how to empower
individuals, families, and communities to be able to find, maintain, and optimize their
mental health conditions in facing daily life (Firmansyah, 2013).
The lack of public awareness and knowledge about mental illnesses or disorders
often leads to the mistreatment of people with mental illnesses. For example, there is a
phenomenon where families in remote areas of Indonesia prefer to accommodate their
family members who have mental illnesses such as Schizophrenia rather than take them to
the hospital. Not to mention people with mental illness who are made fun of and shunned
by their environment because it is considered troublesome. There are many types of mental
illness outside of Down syndrome and autism that are difficult to detect through external
appearance and are not congenital from birth such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder,
manic, depression, paranoid and others (Choresyo et al., 2015)
Mental disorders are generally considered as suffering or strange behaviors. This
kind of assumption is only natural because people with mental disorders tend to show
unreasonable behavior. They are usually busy with themselves and what is said is difficult
to understand people around them and even what is done is difficult to accept for those
(Tumonglo, 2022). Christian religious education is not just an understanding of the teaching
of Christianity scientifically (cognitively), but a personal life that can be practiced through
attitudes (affective) and daily actions (psychomotor), so that through Christian religious
education Christians grow in the firmness of faith and spiritual maturity (Daulay, 2015).
Thus, the recovery of mental disorders can be one of the efforts implemented through
Christian religious education. Based on the background of these problems, researchers are
interested in conducting a study entitled "The Role of Christian Religious Education in the
Recovery of Mental Disorders".
RESEARCH METHODS
This research is qualitative research with a descriptive approach. Qualitative
research is research that departs from ignorance, meaning that the researcher does not yet
know the object under study, including the types of data and categories that may be found.
Therefore, qualitative research does not use existing theories as the basis for their
theoretical development. Qualitative researchers are required to be able to dig up data based
on what participants or data sources say, feel, and do. Qualitative researchers must be an
"emic perspective" meaning that obtaining data is not "as it should be", not based on what
the researcher thinks but based on what happens in the field, which is experienced, felt, and
thought by participants/data sources.
According to Ansori (2019), the descriptive method is carried out by describing
facts which are then followed by analysis, not only deciphering but by providing sufficient
understanding and explanation. Data collection techniques are carried out by exploring
journals, books, and other information relevant to the study. The source of data that is
material is the results of research data and journals, books, laws, and other information
relevant to the study obtained through Google Scholar.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Education comes from the Greek pedagogy which means a child who goes and
goes home delivered by servants (pedagogues). In English education is termed to educate
which means to improve morale and improve intellectuals. Etymologically, education
comes from the Latin word educere a combination of ex which means outside, and ducere
which means to lead, then educate means to lead outside. In its development, this word is
Yunus Tan / JOSR: Journal of Social Research, 2(1), 97-103
The Role of Christian Religious Education in the Recovery of Mental Disorders
100
interpreted as educating, raising, nurturing, and training children. According to Plato,
education is educere, which is the process of guiding or leading people out of the shadows
that are not real to a truth (Sianipar, 2022).
Christian Religious Education is Christian religious education carried out by the
church through various educational and teaching programs that aim to mature the faith of
all members of the congregation so that they can play a role in society. Christian Religious
Education applies not only to Christian educational institutions but to the entire world of
education. Christian education is not education aimed at Christians or education organized
only by Christians. The essence of Christian education lies in Christian education itself,
namely education that is sourced and centered on the word of God and the Bible (Purba &
Chrismastianto, 2021).
The success of Christian Religious Education depends on the shared engagement
between educators and learners and is genuine for the success of the teaching itself.
Christian education is open to change and needs so that learners can understand and place
themselves realistically, critically, and creatively in every situation faced including how to
place themselves as believers amid their environment. The main purpose of Christian
Religious Education is for students to grow in faith, and obedience to the word of God, and
be able to apply their faith in their personal lives and together with others.
The characteristics of Christian Religious Education are very different from
general education. The difference will be seen if you understand the meaning of the vision
of Christian Religious Education which is by the biblical understanding. Christian
education has the purpose of human repentance. Repentance is so important in the Christian
faith. It is repentance that makes it possible for each person to see the kingdom of God and
experience a new birth in Christ. Christian education also brings people to spiritual growth
which will be seen from two aspects, namely the vertical and horizontal aspects. The
vertical aspect is the renewed relationship with God which is confirmed through the word
of God and prayer. Meanwhile, horizontal is characterized by the practice of faith in
relationships with others (Sagala, 2016).
Christian Religious Education educators teach learning materials not only limited
to knowledge related to the Christian faith. However, religious teachers are also encouraged
to do their teaching based on counseling. What is meant by counseling-based education is
that the material and basic techniques of counseling are understood by teachers when
counseling counselors. This counseling-based learning also fosters an attitude of empathy
and shapes the individual to become a listener who understands and engages in the
atmosphere of the victim's feelings and suffering. Counseling guidance-based education
has an ideal concept and role because with the optimal functioning of guidance and
counseling all the needs and problems of students in schools will be handled properly
(Sembiring & Simon, 2022).
Religion has responsibility for mental health issues. This requires good
coordination arrangements between institutions so that they can be 'forced' to carry out
cross-sectoral cooperation in dealing with these problems collectively.
Act No. 36 the Year 2009 paragraph 1 concerning Health states that health is a
state of physical, mental, and social well-being that allows everyone to live a socially and
economically productive life. According to WHO, health is a complete state of well-being
both physically, mentally, and socially that is not only free from disease or disability
(Saputra et al., 2018).
Mental disorders or mental illnesses are psychological or behavioral patterns that
are generally associated with stress or mental disorders that are not considered part of the
normal development of the human being. The disorder is defined as a combination of
affective, behavioral, cognitive, or perceptual components, which relates to certain
functions of the brain region or nervous system that perform the social, labor, and physical
functions of the individual.
Yunus Tan / JOSR: Journal of Social Research, 2(1), 97-103
The Role of Christian Religious Education in the Recovery of Mental Disorders
101
Mental illness has different type or types that will also affect the severity of the
disease. Some types of social diseases that exist include Anxiety Disorder (Paranoid),
Depression, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Mood Disorder, Personality Disorder, Trauma, and
eating disorders. The most common social ills are Paranoid and depression. Sometimes
there are times when human beings come face to face with feelings of oppression, fear, or
sadness. Feelings that are too strong from it will cause early symptoms of depression or
Anxiety Disorder and it can interfere with daily life and can also damage social
relationships with others in more severe conditions, a person with depressive symptoms
can for days not want to go out of the room and do not want to come into contact with the
outside world and do not care about their health. A person who is paranoid, in severe
condition, may not want to leave the room or house because they feel threatened by
something that does not threaten him. Paranoid sufferers, usually also have certain rituals
that are quite awkward to remove fear from within themselves (Choresyo et al., 2015).
According to the ICD-10 2010 edition, and the ICD-10 Classification of Mental
and Behavioural Disorders: clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines of 1992, mental
disorders can be classified into the following 11 categories (Ayuningtyas & Rayhani,
2018).
1. F00-F09: Organic, including symptomatic, mental disorders
2. F10-F19: Mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use
3. F20-F29: Schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders
4. F30-F39: Mood [affective] disorders
5. F40-F48: Neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform disorders
6. F50-F59: Behavioral syndromes associated with physiological disturbances and
physical factors
7. F60-F69: Disorders of adult personality and behavior
8. F70-F79: Mental retardation
9. F80-F89: Disorders of psychological development
10. F90-F98: Behavioral and emotional disorders with onset usually occurring in
childhood and adolescence
11. F99-F99: Unspecified mental disorder
Mental health issues are the responsibility of cross-ministries, namely the Ministry of
Social Affairs, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of
Education, and others. This requires good coordination arrangements so that these agencies
can be 'forced' to carry out cross-sectoral cooperation in dealing with this problem
collectively.
Christian religious education in the recovery of mental disorders plays a role in various
things including:
1. Guidance teaches the meaning of life
Understanding the meaning of life is so important for every human being, as a reason
to live life as much as possible. Based on the Christian faith, the man was formed by God
from the dust of the ground and created in His image and likeness. God created nature, life,
and man must have some meaning. The meaning of life is a strong reason and motivation
that supports a person to live life according to what is believed and what is his goal. Since
the beginning of creation, man has been mandated to fill the earth and preserve the contents
of the earth. A human being who has the meaning of life will understand his values so that
he values and loves himself more which greatly affects the course of his life whether in a
positive or negative direction. Understanding the meaning of life is so important for every
human being, as a reason to live life as much as possible. Based on the Christian faith, the
man was formed by God from the dust of the ground and created in His image and likeness.
God created nature, life, and man must have some meaning. The meaning of life is a strong
Yunus Tan / JOSR: Journal of Social Research, 2(1), 97-103
The Role of Christian Religious Education in the Recovery of Mental Disorders
102
reason and motivation that supports a person to live life according to what is believed and
what is his goal. Since the beginning of creation, man has been mandated to fill the earth
and preserve the contents of the earth. A human being who has the meaning of life will
understand his values so that he values and loves himself more which greatly affects the
course of his life whether in a positive or negative direction.
2. Keep what's triggering the issue away
Christianity teaches us to stay away from sources of stress and the causes of disease.
The Bible can serve as a guide to avoid you from doing bad. By minimizing life problems,
you will feel calm and have the potential to live happily.
3. Bearer of good wishes
Faith can provide hope and acceptance. This encourages a sense of optimism and
positive hope when something bad is happening to you. All religions teach you to accept
all things that are not to your liking, and things that are beyond your control. This is
commonly called surrendering to God, and hoping that everything that happens to you will
end up okay.
4. Carriers of tranquility
Religion can bring a calming effect. The calming effect that exists in religion is often
done through prayer, rituals, meditation, and other forms of relaxation of the body. So, with
the teachings of the beliefs you have, you can reduce depression and physical stress.
Matthew 11:28-29. "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavily laden, and I will
give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and your souls shall find rest."
CONCLUSION
Christian religious education is not only limited to scientific learning but also
practiced in everyday life, one of which is in the recovery of mental disorders. The results
showed that the role of Christian religious education in the recovery of mental disorders is
as a guide to teach the meaning of life, to keep away those who trigger problems, to bring
good hope, and to bring tranquility.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ayuningtyas, D., & Rayhani, M. (2018). Analisis situasi kesehatan mental pada
masyarakat di Indonesia dan strategi penanggulangannya. Jurnal Ilmu
Kesehatan Masyarakat\, 9(1).
Choresyo, B., Nulhaqim, S. A., & Wibowo, H. (2015). Kesadaran Masyarakat
Terhadap Penyakit Mental. Prosiding Penelitian Dan Pengabdian Kepada
Masyarakat.
Daulay, N. (2015). Pengantar Psikologi dan Pandangan Al-Qur’an Tentang
Psikologi. Kencana.
Firmansyah, F. (2013). Kesehatan Mental Islami Dalam Pendidikan Islam
Menurut Perspektif Pemikiran Hasan Langgulung (Doctoral dissertation,
Pascasarjana UIN-SU).
Purba, M. K., & Chrismastianto, I. A. W. (2021). Peran Guru Kristen sebagai
Penuntun Siswa Memulihkan Gambar dan Rupa Allah dalam Kajian Etika
Yunus Tan / JOSR: Journal of Social Research, 2(1), 97-103
The Role of Christian Religious Education in the Recovery of Mental Disorders
103
Kristen. Diligentia: Journal of Theology and Christian Education, 3(1), 83–
92.
Sagala, L. D. (2016). PERAN PENDIDIKAN AGAMA KRISTEN DALAM
MENGHADAPI PERUBAHAN SOSIAL.
Sahertian, M. (2019a). Pendidikan Agama Kristen dalam Sudut Pandang John
Dewey. Jurnal Teruna Bhakti, 1(2), 101–116.
Sahertian, M. (2019b). Pendidikan Agama Kristen dalam Sudut Pandang John
Dewey. Jurnal Teruna Bhakti, 1(2), 101–116.
Saputra, F. A., Ranimpi, Y. Y., & Pilakoann, R. T. (2018). Kesehatan Mental dan
Koping Strategi di Kudangan,Kecamatan Delang,Kabupaten Lamandau
Kalimantan Tengah:Suatu Studi Sosiodemografi. Humanitas, 2(1).
Sembiring, L. A., & Simon. (2022). Kontribusi Pengajar Pendidikan Agama
Kristen dalam Membantu Pemulihan Traumatis Korban Pelecahan Seksual.
JURNAL SHANAN, 6(1), 35–44.
Sianipar, D. (2022). PERAN PENDIDIKAN AGAMA KRISTEN DI GEREJA
DALAM MENINGKATKAN KETAHANAN KELUARGA. Formosa
Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (FJMR), 1(3), 627–640.
Telaumbanua, A. H. N. (2020). Peran Guru Pendidikan Agama Kristen Dalam
Membentuk Karakter Siswa Di Era Industri 4.0. Institutio: Jurnal Pendidikan
Agama Kristen, 6(2), 45–62.
Tumonglo, E. E. (2022). Tantangan Gereja Dalam Melayani Penderita Gangguan
Mental Di Gereja Toraja Jemaat Filadelfia Kondongan. VISIO DEI: JURNAL
TEOLOGI KRISTEN, 4(1), 104–116.
© 2021 by the authors. Submitted for possible open access publication under the
terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY SA)
license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).
