By Rev. Dr. Dawn Weaks
Pastor, Connection Christian Church
It’s mental health awareness month! The Christian gospels tell us many stories of Jesus healing people who were struggling with their mental health.
Pastors and churches often want to help those who experience mental illness. But, many churches do not have intentional plans to assist families affected by mental illness. Most are not staffed with a counselor skilled with mental illness nor have leaders who have been trained in mental health awareness and resources.
Sadly, in some churches it is even still common practice to treat mental illness differently. Sometimes we assume there is something else, some deeper spiritual struggle causing mental and emotional strain. Christian concepts of sin and forgiveness sometimes are inappropriately applied in ways that heighten paranoia or clinical depression. Yet the Christian community can be an invaluable source of healing when we ask God to use us to bless those struggling with mental illness.
Churches can offer help and hope that makes such a difference to those who are mental ill and their family members! We can offer trainings such us Mental Health First Aid through Permiacare; we can host support groups; offer prayer support; provide sermons and studies on this topic; facilitate community-wide symposiums; and most of all, include mentally ill people in church life, including serving and leading.
As individual Christians, we can learn about mental illness, genuinely express concern to those who are struggling, and do the things we normally do for people who are ill: send cards, bring food, offer prayer.
We can avoid oversimplifying with statements like “just practice gratitude,” or “try to be more positive.”
Instead, we can listen, practice, realizing we may not know how to help and trust that God does know how to help. Whether it’s depression or addiction, or an eating disorder or something else, Jesus still helps those who struggle, and the church can be a vessel for his healing power. Here is a prayer I invite you to pray with me this month especially:
O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your children who suffer with mental illnesses the help of your power, that their sickness may be turned into health, and our concern into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
