CHRISTIAN MENTAL HEALTH CONVERSATIONS

by Mandy Young, LCSW

A sense of community is extremely important in mental health recovery, even more so in the church and among Christians. It is a great encouragement to see the informed and compassionate mental health conversations happening within our churches, but there is still room for more awareness and openness in these conversations. Let us continue to normalize that you can love and pursue Jesus and still have mental health struggles. Let us join each other not only in the joys and successes of life but also in the sorrows and hurts, growing together in these discussions.

While improvements have been made in mental health discussions, classical stigma is giving way to a new conversation among the church. Mental health talk has moved on from calling these issues sin, disobedience or demonic attack as done in previous decades, but conversations still leave some mental health sufferers feeling wounded. Often, we still hear “if your faith was a little stronger, or if you prayed more, or even study Scripture more in depth then you wouldn’t be struggling with these battles”. This is not truth, brothers and sisters. The Bible is filled with mental health struggles, how people seek counsel, and how they would seek others help to carry their burdens. Romans 15:5-6 speaks to the importance of treating others in a way that glorifies God, not bringing them down:

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5-6

Our heavenly father wants us to thrive, so let’s empower each other with truth and find restoration. I thought it might be helpful to highlight some examples for how we can make our conversations even more grace filled.

Trust

What they say: “As you learn to trust God more you will find that your anxiety will gradually fade away.”

What you hear: “My mental health problem is a result of my lack of trust in God, it will disappear as I go deeper in my faith.”

Christian Mental Health Providers Perspective: Anxiety disorders impact people with a deep trust in God and are not related to the strength of a person’s faith. Anxiety issues also fluctuate over time and need long term management. They tend not to improve on their own but through awareness, medication, talk therapy and other coping strategies.

Self-Indulgent

What they say: “Lots of Biblical greats like Job and Elijah were depressed,  but the key thing to remember is that they didn’t give in to their depression and got on with the ministry God called them to.”

What you hear: “It’s not ok to be self-indulgent and be impacted by my mental health problems. I need to ignore my pain and get on with what God’s calling me to.”

Christian Mental Health Providers Perspective: God never criticizes people suffering with depression in the bible, indeed he does the opposite; he comforts them and meets their needs. Dealing with emotional pain is not self-indulgent any more than dealing with physical pain. We all need to offer and receive the comfort of God without qualification –  that’s grace!
 

'Personal Cross'

What they say: “We all have our own cross to bear. Your cross may be your mental health issues. The good news is that in heaven there will no more weeping or gnashing of teeth.”

What you hear: “I am never getting any better this side of heaven. God is responsible for me carrying this cross. Life is hopeless this side of eternity.”

Christian Mental Health Providers Perspective: We can identify with the suffering of Christ in our struggles, and because of Christ we are not without hope. Mental health issues and trauma reactions, like physical disabilities provoke suffering but also creativity and gifting. They do not define our identity. Our identity is in Christ alone. We can live life well this side of heaven with mental health problems and work through traumatic events with the right support – support that unites mental health services with a Biblical foundation.
 

'Undermining Mission'

What they say: “The enemy is using mental health issues to make the church inward looking. As long as we are being introspective, we are losing our effectiveness in mission.”

What you hear: “Mental health issues are a weapon of Satan to stop people from meeting Jesus. If I am talking about mental health, I am undermining the Gospel.”

Christian Mental Health Providers Perspective: Jesus was the ultimate pastoral leader who loved the hurting and broken like no other. He calls us to “take care of the sheep” (John 21:16) with the same care and love that he demonstrated. Supporting people with mental health problems in the church is fulfilling the spirit of The Beatitudes and The Great Commission. It is the very thing that will make the Gospel heard in a skeptical world.

'Already Healed'

What they say: “You have already been healed of your mental health problem, and now you just need to agree with the healing that you have received.”

What you hear: “Your disobedience is keeping you ill.”

Christian Mental Health Providers Perspective: Sometimes we do need to make a mindful decision to practice the behaviors that move us toward healing; however, this is not the same as being fully healed and never struggling again! Mental health recovery is not about disobedience, but instead reflects courage in a daily process of growth. No one with the flu is being disobedient by feeling unwell, so equally no one with depression is disobedient by feeling low. Let’s not confuse healing steps with the healing itself. Kay Warren says it perfectly on her Mental Health and the Church page: “It is not a sin to be sick.”
 

Medication

What they say: “Medication is OK, but you haven’t been called to rely on it forever, you need to step forward in your faith journey so that this crutch is no longer needed.”

What you hear: “Medication is a weak alternative to real recovery. I should get off it a quickly as possible so that I can do this recovery right.”

Christian Mental Health Providers Perspective: Medication is a valid, necessary and often essential part in mental health recovery. It is neither less virtuous nor effective than other sorts of treatments in most cases. Just as with conditions like diabetes in physical health, many psychotic illnesses will require a life-long medication regime. This is wholly good and right and should be actively supported by the Christian community. 

I want to leave you with this: If you are trying to offer support, comfort, or listen to someone that is struggling with mental health issues or traumatic life experiences; please be mindful of the words you are using. Ask yourself if the words you are using are helpful and fully true. Be ready to listen and encourage to the best of your ability. Love each other, care enough to find helpful resources, and extend grace to each other in these difficult conversations. Together we can continue to pursue healthy mental health conversations in the church and love one another as Christ loves us.