May is National Mental Health Month. It’s easy to let this go by unrecognized. We’d rather not dwell on the difficulty of mental illness and how it affects so many of our friends and families. We all know someone who struggles with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or another mental illness that makes daily living more challenging. We minimize and diminish the effect these illnesses have on our relationships, our careers, and even our connection with God. And unfortunately, we especially do this in the church.
The Church
In 2010 author Amy Simpson did a survey for Leadership Journey and other Christianity Today publications for church leaders. She asked a lot of questions, but these results were interesting particularly for pastors:
- 38.7% have personally struggled with a mood disorder such as depression or bipolar disorder.
- 23% indicated they had suffered from some kind of anxiety disorder, PTSD, OCD, panic disorder, or social anxiety disorder.
- 9% have personally struggled with impulse control or addiction disorders such as pyromania, kleptomania, compulsive gambling, and alcohol and drug addictions.
- 10.6% had family members who suffered from a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia.
- Although 80% of church leaders said they believe mental illness is “a real, treatable, and manageable illness caused by genetic, biological, or environmental factors, only 12.5% of them said mental illness is openly discussed in a healthy way in their church. (Troubled Minds by Amy Simpson)
As the leadership goes, so goes the church. If our leaders are not talking about mental illness openly, their people aren’t either. But just as we don’t ignore someone who is under a doctor’s care for cancer, we must not ignore those facing mental health issues.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15: 13 (ESV)
Our Families
So what can we do? If only 12.5% of churches are openly discussing this in a healthy way, how can we effect change? The reality is, WE are the church. Our families can start talking openly about our experiences and normalizing the stigma of mental illness. When we choose to offer hope to those who are suffering in silence, we do something powerful.
Speaking Up Breaks Down the Lies That Say:
You’re Alone
You’re Worthless
You’re Unloved
You’re Not Enough
Speaking Up, Speaks Truth:
We Stand with You
You’re Worthy
You’re Loved
You’re Enough
People with mental illness are worth fighting for! We can’t change mental illness or even the way it’s treated overnight, but we can provide the kind of Christ-like love and care that people deserve. We can do better. As individuals, as families, as the church, we can do better.
Speak up, and speak truth about mental illness. #mentalhealth Click To TweetHow will you take action today? It might be as simple as sharing your story or reaching out to friend or family member who is struggling. Comment below, I’d love to hear from you.
If today’s post was meaningful to you, would you share it with a friend on social media? This would mean so much to me! This is how I get my work in front of more wonderful people just like you.
For Further Reading:
Trouble Minds: Mental Illness and The Church’s Mission by Amy Simpson
Thank You!
A big thank you to the lovely ladies at the ACH Women’s Retreat this past weekend. It was pure joy to serve you! I’m honored to have witnessed God working in and through your lives. If you’d like to book me for a speaking engagement click HERE to visit my speaking page.
Jamie (TigerStrypes) (@satrntgr) says
Thank you for sharing this, Angela. My husband has been dealing with depression for some time and I have been trying hard to let him know that he’s loved and not alone. I pray that more at the church will also open up and be able to help each other. After all, we’re all one family and need to be watching out for each other – especially in today’s world.
Angela Howard says
I’m happy to share Jamie. We need to shine a light on this. I appreciate your openness and pray for hope and healing for you and your husband.
Michele Morin says
The church is uniquely positioned to provide support to families struggling with mental health issues in their family, but so many are afraid to speak up. The tendency, too, is for families to isolate themselves out of shame and fear — and then the church cannot help what it does not know about. Thanks for your efforts at de=mystifying mental illness.
Angela Howard says
That’s so true Michele–the church is uniquely positioned to help. This is why we must speak up and as you said de-mystify mental illness, so that people start hearing accurate information. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Heather says
I know several in our church that struggle with depression. As a worship leader there are a lot of opportunities to just be drained dry on an emotional level and you have to keep a close walk with Jesus to keep from falling in the pit. I can’t imagine what some of my sweet friends go through as they struggle with full on depression. Thanks for the encouragement and the food for thought to share with my church :)
Angela Howard says
I’m so glad that I can share some encouragement. It is a difficult struggle. I’ll be posting a video next week of my husband and I’s story. I hope you’ll visit again.
Meghan E. Weyerbacher says
I was one of these and still struggle with anxiety.overwhelm ( when I write I mostly write to myself on my blog!) but hid it for years. The shame and questions I guess made me hide. Talking openly with people and writing too has helped hugely in my healing. God is great. Thanks for sharing!
Angela Howard says
Thank you for sharing your story Meghan. I’m glad that you are being open because it’s helpful to not only you but to others who are struggling.
adaughtersgiftoflove says
I’ve seen depression, grief, and unfortunately those who for some reason just can’t receive the love and healing Jesus died to give them. It isn’t super faith that gets you well and whole but His supernatural love when you release your soul fully to the Holy Spirit. There are days I still go through the positive affirmations of faith. I have to, We are to have the mind of Christ and renew it daily. You just have to stay immersed in Jesus. I pray for those who suffer mental illness today, He wore a crown of thorns for you, will you let Him robe you in His righteousness? I plead the blood deeply over souls in need and cancel enemy assignments. I would ask Him to pull down the strongholds and set you free indeed. Restore souls, renew minds, give beauty for ashes and joy for mourning, garments of praise for heaviness and you Lord, be glorified, in Jesus name.
Angela Howard says
Thank you for your sweet prayers and encouragements Becky. Prayer and Biblical truth is a powerful way to renew our minds and as a believer and minister of the gospel I encourage and support that 100%. But mental illness and depression are not spiritual diseases. This is an important distinction. Mental illness can affect our relationship with God just as it affects other relationships in our lives. Although we pray for healing for all diseases, we would never tell someone with diabetes to pray and renew their mind instead of take their medication. There must be a balance in treating mind, body, spirit, emotions, and soul. We live in a broken world and should not be surprised that we face brokenness in our bodies. I just want to make sure people know that if they have prayed and read their Bibles and still feel depressed they should feel no shame. There is healing, it just might be via a medical intervention. Thank you for reading and sharing your heart. Jesus walks with us through all our struggles and for that we can rejoice.
Brandi Raae says
I can definitely relate to depression. So glad for God’s Word and His encouragement during my what I call, “in-a-funk” times. :) Thanks for linking up with Literacy Musing Mondays.
Angela Howard says
Thank you for your comments today Brandi.
Anita Ojeda says
You’re playing my tune! My daughter and I co-wrote an entire series on her struggle with depression and the trauma from her undiagnosed mental health issue. We strongly believe that knowledge is power and that the more people know, the more they will be able to provide support. You can check out the whole series over at blessedbutstressed.com (31 Glimpses Into an Unquiet Mind).
Angela Howard says
I love it Anita! More people need to be open with their stories of hope and perseverance. Thank you for sharing here.
tammykennington says
Hi Angela. I’m your neighbor at Living Free and want to thank you for advocating for mental health awareness. I believe Jesus has great compassion for the silent suffering caused by such illnesses as depression and bipolar disorder. The more we speak up within the church, the more hurting people will discover Christ’s compassion, acceptance and love. Thank you for sharing.
Angela Howard says
Thank you for your encouragement Tammy. It’s a personal issue for me as my husband has bipolar 2 disorder. I know that we can do better in offering compassion and becoming better educated in this area. Thank you for reading. :)
tammykennington says
I have two boys with bipolar disorder and I have walked through depression and anxiety, as well. I pray the Church will show love and compassion and that we can erase the stigma. Mental health struggles come with enough of their own pain.
Angela Howard says
That is so true Tammy and this is my prayer as well. I’m working as the Director of Mental Health and Communications for a non-profit in my area to serve the church in the area of mental health offer counseling referrals and educational resources for churches. One life at a time Tammy! Thank you for your comments.
Lori Schumaker of Seaching for Moments says
Oh, Angela! Yes … Mental health is still such a difficult topic in the Church. When an illness is not something we can physically see with our eyes, we as humans tend to not connect with it. Mental illness is hidden on the inside. No tubes or wheelchairs or other items one might need. And because it’s unseen others are apt to judge before support. I understand it. I don’t hold it against others. Yet it grieves my heart as a Mama of one with mental health issues. I believe, though, that through people like you, progress will continue to be made. Thank you. And thank you for sharing this hope at #MomentsofHope!
Hugs,
Lori
Angela Howard says
Exactly Lori! I was just saying this to a friend today. It is truly a grief and that’s why we must speak up so that the stigma is broken. At the same time I can understand the difficulty in accepting the frailty of the human condition. We want to rush in and offer a quick fix and smooth over the brokenness. I pray that God will open our hearts to the grace that we all need.