Few criminal cases in recent years have shocked the nation as deeply as that of former obstetric nurse Lindsay Clancy. Tragically, the mother of three ended the lives of her young children and attempted to take her own life on January 24, 2023. Against all odds, Clancy survived, but is now paralyzed from the sternum down after jumping from the second-story window of her home. She now awaits trial on July 20, 2026, where a Massachusetts court will decide her fate.
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The details of this case are so disturbing that many people cannot bear to read about them. An article in Lawyers Weekly explains, “the prosecution charges Clancy with strangling her three children to death with exercise bands after sending her husband, Patrick Clancy, out on errands calculated to give her enough time to kill the kids. The defense argues that Clancy was suffering from an impaired mental state and the effects of overmedication.” More specifically, Clancy’s legal team is preparing an insanity defense, alleging that she experienced severe postpartum depression and was prescribed a litany of medications that induced side effects.
The Dark Side of Big Pharma
The brutal nature of Clancy’s crimes shines a spotlight on the issue of mental illness, as well as the dark side of pharmaceutical drugs. The revelation that this young mother was taking 12 different psychiatric drugs that were prescribed to her is more than enough to make one see that there are major problems with the way mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, PTSD, OCD, and others, are treated.
A Broken World Seeks Broken Solutions
In a world saturated with sin and brokenness, it’s not difficult to comprehend how many people turn to pharmaceutical relief, rather than the healing wings of Almighty God. While this isn’t to say that there aren’t times when medication is necessary or beneficial, the point is that society is relying more often on drugs, whether prescribed, recreational, or illegal, to bring relief to their bodies, instead of the Great Physician, Jesus Christ.
In the United States alone, roughly 21 million adults have experienced at least one major depressive episode in the last year, and as many as 50 million have suffered from an anxiety disorder. While some people find ways to cope through prayer, therapy, exercise, or other methods, a large number turn to pharmaceutical drugs such as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors).
Widely used SSRIs include Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft), Escitalopram (Lexapro), Citalopram (Celexa), and Paroxetine (Paxil), while common SNRIs include Venlafaxine (Effexor), Duloxetine (Cymbalta), Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), and Levomilnacipran (Fetzima). Both SSRIs and SNRIs can cause significant, even devastating side effects in some people, such as increased anxiety, insomnia, loss of emotion, sexual dysfunction, worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, and erratic/violent behavior. The black box warnings on these antidepressants are not to be glossed over because they reveal a disastrous reality for many Americans who have witnessed their aftermath.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled a new initiative in May 2026 targeting the overuse of psychiatric medications. One of the goals is to prioritize informed consent, so patients know the risks of medications prescribed for mental health conditions.
NBC Boston reported that “Clancy filed a malpractice lawsuit in Norfolk Superior Court in February against several of her medical providers, alleging they failed to diagnose her bipolar disorder and subjected her to a ‘disorganized, uncoordinated course of polypharmacy’ that resulted in a psychotic break.”
Spiritual Problems Call for Spiritual Answers
As intercessors for the Kingdom of God, we know that there are more things at work in this world than what we see with the naked eye or perceive with the natural mind. The Bible tells us that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places, Ephesians 6:12. While there are those who claim that everything has a natural cause, we understand that demonic forces do, in fact, operate in our world. Ignoring this is like turning a blind eye to what the Scriptures clearly declare.
Certainly, this isn’t to say that every mental illness can be attributed to spiritual causes; however, the possibility of this exists and should be considered based on the situation and proper discernment. The Bible records that Jesus healed those who suffered from severe psychological issues, including those afflicted with insanity. Oftentimes, spiritual causes are completely overlooked in lieu of pharmaceuticals with a myriad of side effects.
Pharmaceuticals and Sorcery
The English word pharmacy is derived from the Greek term pharmakeia, which is defined as more than just medication and drugs. Other definitions include sorcery, witchcraft, magic (often found in connection with idolatry), poisoning, and deception.
It’s crucial to understand that pharmaceuticals can be used to medicate mental health conditions, rather than finding the root cause of the illness. Today’s generation is being conditioned to “pop a pill,” or “microdose” for everything under the sun. Anxiety, depression, stress, pleasure, attention, emotional processing, creativity, and even spiritual enlightenment–you name it, and there’s a drug for it.
In the midst of all the pain and confusion in this world, there’s a clear message that needs to be shared with a society that often puts its hope and faith in manmade solutions, rather than the Great Healer, Jesus Christ.
There is Healing in His Wings
Luke 8:42-48 tells the story of a woman who suffered from a bleeding issue that plagued her for over a decade. The best doctors could not cure her condition, and the latest medicines and treatments were useless. As an unclean member of the community, she was truly an outcast, leaving her with nowhere to turn. In faith, she reached out to the ONLY ONE who could restore and heal her body–Jesus Christ.
Our modern world bears little resemblance to the biblical days when Jesus the Messiah walked down the streets of ancient Israel, healing the sick and demon-possessed. In these times of uncertainty, stress, unrest, and calamity, those who are suffering need Jesus more than ever. While medical experts and pharmaceutical reps are quick to offer the latest drug for everything from anxiety to schizophrenia, the truth is that many people need the healing that comes from reaching out and touching the hem of the Savior’s garment.
Malachi 4:2 (NLT) contains a profound, life-altering truth about healing. But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. While this inspiring verse points to Jesus as the Great Healer, it also highlights the profound significance of the garment that He wore during His time on earth, known as the tallit. All Jewish males were commanded to wear this rectangular prayer shawl, which contained four corners, referred to as wings (Numbers 15:37-41). Hanging from the wings are fringes known as tzitzit. These tassels (fringes) were knotted in a special way to symbolize God’s commandments, or the Word of God.
The woman with the bleeding issue reached out and touched the fringe (corner, hem, tassels) of Jesus’s garment, also referred to as the tzitzit. These fringes (tzitzit) would have hung from the wing of His tallit. Essentially, this desperate woman was taking hold of the promises of God’s Word, as well as His covering and protection. Psalm 91 illustrates this concept beautifully, especially verse 4, which says, He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with His wings.
Lindsay Clancy’s story is extremely difficult to process and stomach, but it’s also a timely reminder that pharmaceuticals and manmade solutions can never heal the way Jesus does. Those who find themselves in a desperate situation must reach out and grasp the wings of the Savior. Through His direction and guidance, the best solutions will be found.
Exodus 15:26 declares, “I am the Lord, your healer,” while Psalm 17:8 states, “Hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
Lord Jesus, the story of Lindsay Clancy is one of many in our sinful world. These tragedies break our hearts, but we know there’s always hope. On the cross you bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. You were crushed for our iniquities and pierced for our transgressions. Because of this, we can come to You for healing and restoration. We pray for Lindsay Clancy and all those who were affected by this horrible tragedy. We also pray that the mental health system will be overhauled so that prescription drugs are no longer overused and abused. Additionally, help our nation build a vast, robust network of Christian counselors who will tackle the spiritual roots behind mental illness.
Do you believe that mental illnesses can have spiritual causes? Share your thoughts and prayers in the comments.
Angela Rodriguez is an author, blogger, and former teacher who studies the historical and biblical connections between Israel and the United States. You can visit her blogs at 67owls.com and 100trumpets.com. She is also the author of Psalm 91: Under the Wings of Jesus and Hallelujah’s Great Ride. Photo Credit: Anh Nguyen on Unsplash.
