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Amish Health Care
For the Amish health care, whether physical or mental, is a gift from God. However, contrary to popular opinion, the Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonites are not opposed to modern medicine.
In fact, there is nothing in the Amish religious teachings against using doctors, taking medicine, and entering the hospital whenever necessary As with most Christians, the Amish view healing as a gift from God. This is not a rejection of modern medicine but the belief and acceptance that after one has done all that is humanly possible, one must leave the process of healing in the hands of God.
Although most Old Order families will seek the advice of doctors and enter the hospital if necessary, faith healing does still play a small part in Amish health care. As with many rural and traditional people, there is a tendency to seek natural remedies to illness such as honey, vinegar and tea as opposed to the use of drugs. Likewise, many Amish and Mennonites seek non-medical clinics such as chiropractors, visit therapeutic mines, and enjoy the use of natural springs. However, by no means, should it be assumed, that the Amish and Mennonite people will sacrifice their health or the health of their community by a stubborn refusal to accept treatment from medical doctors or to use modern medications.
However, despite this willingness to use modern medical care, it is also true that the Amish and Mennonites express caution towards any type of mandatory government health programs. However, to understand this reluctance, one must remember how often the government has tried to impose mandatory laws which violate their religious beliefs such as compulsory school attendance and the military draft.
The Mennonites and Amish probably experience as much mental illness as the larger population. For instance, suicide is thought to be common to the Mennonites and Amish as it is to the larger American society.
Perhaps, part of the reason for mental illness may be a result of the pressure exerted on the individual to seek perfection and humility. Unfortunately, internal conflict and may arise when one is unable to live up to the standards of one's religious convictions and expectations of one's culture. However, whiles some may argue that it is the rigorous demands of the Amish community that causes these internal struggles, many also believe that it is this very strong sense of community that exists among the Mennonite and Amish people of Lancaster County that promotes psychological stability among the people. The sense of togetherness and belonging is often seen as a source of relief, strength, and peace of mind.
As mentioned earlier Mennonite and Amish health care is based upon the belief that good physical and mental health is a gift from God that is maintained by living a moral, humble, and religious life as well as through as the ministrations of modern medicine.
It is this very Christian calling that inspires them to reach out and minister to the needs of others. In fact, because of the opportunities for public service, health care has traditionally been among the first professions among those who leave the farm. This can be seen most strongly among the humanitarian work of the Mennonites. Primarily started as an alternative for young Mennonite men to avoid the military draft, Mennonite health facilities have grown and spread throughout North America where dedicated Mennonite doctors and nurses are known to serve anyone in need of proper care.
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