”Mental disorders are represented by Jesus's crown of thorns” -these are the words of Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Starting from this resemblance, there can indeed be noticed some common features found on mental disorders as well as on the thorns.

First of all, the thorns can be found very often in arid areas, where the land cannot provide enough resources for the growth of shrubs, trees or plants. They appear in this kind of ground because they don't need much resources to develop. The same thing happens with mental disorders: when a person no longer feels involved in a community, can no longer take the resources he or she needs from that group and feels a deep alienation. The disorders have a long history of falls, failures and despairs, but can also be caused out of the blue, by certain conflicts or misunderstandings, by unforeseen situations and by close or less close people.To manifest themselves, like thorns, mental disorders do not need many resources.

Second of all, thorns have the role of keeping plants away from herbivorous animals, preventing them from tearing these plants off, or slowing down their access to their fruits and leaves. In the same way, mental disorders are often observed as a shield of resistance put before all those who surround people with these disorders. They are wary of being hit in their vulnerability and hide, for a long time, what they consider more valuable to them.

On the other hand, just as thorns are of different kinds, so are mental disorders. Some thorns are generated by the root, others are generated by the buds, some are generated by the leaves, and others are even developed on the fruit. There are bigger thorns, some smaller ones. Some thorns are harder and others less hard. There are poisonous thorns, but there are also poison-free thorns. From this perspective, mental disorders are so varied: some last a small period of time, some last longer, some are more aggressive, and others are calmer, some are destructive if not recognized and treated in a timely manner, and some have a smaller impact.

To sum up, in order to protect ourselves from the stings of thorns, we must be careful, we have to take care of those branches or plants and remove as much as we can those thorns to avoid further problems. In the same way, we need to know, to protect, to take special care of our behavior towards people with mental disorders, in order to live together uplifting moments of healing and happiness.

Jesus, who wore the painful crown of thorns stuck deep in His head, has a special weakness for those who suffer from mental disorders, because they are truly united with Him in their redemptive suffering. We must see Christ in those who suffer; and to become like Him, treating them with dignity. Keep in mind that mental disorders are not an obstacle to holiness.