Mental Health and the Church
There is a stigma around having any kind of mental health issues in some Christian communities. Unfortunately, this can make it difficult for someone struggling to find help or resources they may need. In a recent Barna Research study, data showed that almost half of U.S. 18-35-year-olds (49%), expressed anxiety over important decisions and were afraid to fail. Over three in 10 said they often felt sad or depressed (39%) or lonely and isolated from others (34%). A combination of a pandemic, race and justice, economic hardship, the political climate, and other factors have accelerated mental health struggles for many. Isolation, depression, worry, anxiety…it takes a toll.
What is Mental Health?
Mental health and mental illness are not the same thing. Mental health relates to emotional, psychological and social well-being. A person may experience poor mental health without being diagnosed with a mental illness. For example, different situations and outside pressures may result in someone going through a period of poor mental health. Similarly, someone with a mental illness may experience periods of positive well-being and good mental health. Here is an explanation from the CDC and the Mayo Clinic:
Mental illness is a term used to encompass many different mental disorders. For example, anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD are some types of mental illnesses. Having a mental illness is relatively common with one-fifth of Americans experiencing mental illness each year. Over one-half of adults are diagnosed with some mental disorder or illness during their lifetime. Many different factors contribute to mental illness, but there is no one cause. Biological factors, trauma, medical conditions, chemical imbalances, drugs, alcohol and loneliness can all play a part. Family history of mental illnesses and high-stress situations are also risk factors.
What can we do to support and care for anyone struggling with mental health?
For anyone who has not personally experienced mental illness, it can be hard to relate or understand the struggles of those who have. *Here are some ways you can love and care for those struggling with mental illness:
Finally, anyone who is struggling you are not alone (Matthew 28:20).
What is Mental Health?
Mental health and mental illness are not the same thing. Mental health relates to emotional, psychological and social well-being. A person may experience poor mental health without being diagnosed with a mental illness. For example, different situations and outside pressures may result in someone going through a period of poor mental health. Similarly, someone with a mental illness may experience periods of positive well-being and good mental health. Here is an explanation from the CDC and the Mayo Clinic:
Mental illness is a term used to encompass many different mental disorders. For example, anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD are some types of mental illnesses. Having a mental illness is relatively common with one-fifth of Americans experiencing mental illness each year. Over one-half of adults are diagnosed with some mental disorder or illness during their lifetime. Many different factors contribute to mental illness, but there is no one cause. Biological factors, trauma, medical conditions, chemical imbalances, drugs, alcohol and loneliness can all play a part. Family history of mental illnesses and high-stress situations are also risk factors.
What can we do to support and care for anyone struggling with mental health?
For anyone who has not personally experienced mental illness, it can be hard to relate or understand the struggles of those who have. *Here are some ways you can love and care for those struggling with mental illness:
- Avoid stigmatizing and stereotyping: For those struggling with mental illness, there is enough pain and fear without the worry of being judged or stereotyped for their mental illness. Avoid using phrases or making comments that could make someone feel isolated or ostracized.
- Don’t offer false “cures” or “solutions” to pain: It may be tempting to tell someone with a mental illness to “pray more” or “just trust God” when they are explaining their struggles. This is not helpful and can make the person feel worse. Mental illness is not just a matter of praying more.
- Listen and understand it’s hard: Be willing to listen to those struggling with mental illness. They have unique insights and have firsthand experience dealing with the effects of mental illness. Show empathy for those who have a mental illness and understand that their mental health journey is not easy.
- Pray: No matter what someone is going through, whether it be life changes, a physical sickness or injury or mental health struggles, prayer is a power tool. Prayer should not be viewed as a magic cure to mental health issues, but it is a way to bring it to God and hand it over to him.
- Show genuine love and care: Showing love for those with mental illness can mean a lot. Even simple actions that show you care can go a long way to someone who is struggling.
- Check-in and offer support: If you have the time to listen, send a text or schedule a meet-up just to spend time with the person. Time is valuable, but showing up and being there is an encouraging example of love.
- Encourage professional help: Encourage those with mental illness to seek professional help. Sometimes taking the first step to getting help can be daunting, so encouragement and support are valuable. Being there for them after they begin seeking treatment is a way to show you care for their well-being and value them.
Finally, anyone who is struggling you are not alone (Matthew 28:20).
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