Question:
What are society’s obligations to the mentally disabled?
Answer: The phrase “mentally
disabled” refers to a wide range of mental and emotional disabilities
that include those who remain functional, as well as those who are
severely mentally disabled. Regardless of the level of mental
disability, all those who bear the heavy burden of mental or emotional
disability should be the recipients of the best care that medical
science and social services can offer. This ideal is difficult to
achieve in the midst of budgetary crises and cut-backs, and
overburdened and functionally impaired social agencies in which too
many people fall though the cracks.
Religious scripture of all traditions has counselled believers to have
due regard for the less-fortunate and downtrodden. We are warned that
they are not to be considered as objects of fear and disdain, hidden
away for shame, as they once were. The spiritual virtues of compassion
and loving-kindness require that those who are severely mentally
handicapped have their bodily and emotional needs met through
well-trained, loving and responsible care-givers. The families of the
mentally disabled will surely do what they can, but the particular
needs of the severely mentally disabled will require specially trained
personnel.
We do well to remember that the dignity of the human being is
determined by the fact that each of us has a soul, a divine, noble,
immortal, mysterious creation of God that is intrinsic to each and
every human being, regardless of mental functionality or
physical appearance. The existence of the soul determines our dignity
and humanity. Although the powers of the soul may be obscured in those
who suffer from severe mental disability, much as a dark cloud will
temporarily obscure the sun, the soul of the mentally disabled person
remains sound and intact. Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892), the
Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, has revealed: “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.” Let
us keep this truth in mind when ministering to the mentally
disabled. -
Jack
McLean
