In his 1978 book, The Road Less Traveled, psychiatrist M. Scott Peck famously opened with the line, “Life is difficult.”

It’s a universal truth that resonates as much today as it did then. Living in a fallen world is often painful — even for Christians. This should come as no surprise. After all, Jesus himself said, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33).

Inside and outside the Church, there are people who feel hurt, alone, confused, hopeless and frightened. And many don’t know where to turn for support.

As an Assemblies of God minister and licensed clinical psychologist, I regularly speak with pastors across the country about mental health issues. We are in a crisis moment in America. What most concerns me is the resistance to mental health care I encounter among some church leaders.

I frequently hear things like, “What’s the big deal? People just need to pray, read their Bibles, and confess their sin more. They should get tough, grow up, and quit complaining. Psychotherapy, psychotropic medications, and other mental health interventions are secular substitutes for the gospel or a crutch for the emotionally weak.”

Such attitudes are alienating hurting people — and keeping some from finding the hope and help they desperately need. As ministers, we must do better.

What to Know

Here are seven things every minister needs to know about mental health:

1. People are hurting in epidemic numbers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than half of Americans will receive a mental illness or mental disorder diagnosis during their lifetime.

In 2020 alone, 21% of U.S. adults were suffering from a diagnosable mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The share was even higher among young adults aged 18–25 (31%).

Many experts expect those figures to soar in coming years as a result of pandemic-related trauma.

Nevertheless, few church leaders talk about mental illness, and too many openly shame or stigmatize those who are suffering.

2. Real churches are made up of real people who have real problems and need real help. Churchgoers are not immune from mental illness or other human troubles.

Problems such as suicide, divorce, eating disorders, substance abuse, pornography, domestic violence, child molestation, opioid addiction, sex trafficking, abortion and homelessness affect even Christians.

We need to recognize the struggles around us — and the struggles within us — as opportunities to demonstrate and experience God’s love, grace, mercy and transformational power.

3. Few people receive the help they need. Of the 52.9 million U.S. adults reporting a mental illness in 2020, just 46% sought treatment, according to the NIMH.

Don’t assume someone else will intervene. Help connect people with the appropriate resources.

4. Mental health requires intentionality. Spiritual health doesn’t happen by accident. As ministers, we understand the value of disciplines like prayer, Bible reading, and church attendance.

Similarly, we know that lifestyle choices, exercise, and eating habits affect our physical fitness.

We need to be intentional about mental health as well. Ministers can lead the way by promoting and modeling actions and attitudes that contribute to emotional well-being.

5. Mental health problems can be messy. And complicated. And costly. Getting involved can require major, labor-intensive investments of time and attention that consume disproportionate shares of precious and limited church resources.

It can be scary, risky and intimidating to reach out to people
who are hurting, but
that is exactly what
Jesus calls us to do.

It can be scary, risky and intimidating to reach out to people who are hurting, but that is exactly what Jesus calls us to do.

6. Church doesn’t always feel like a safe place to talk about mental health. I have worked with many formerly churched people who experienced judgment, criticism, rejection and betrayal when disclosing their personal struggles to Christians.

It is heartbreaking when people who are suffering do not experience love, grace and acceptance in church.

7. Hurting people need the Church. Our sanctuaries should be just that. Every congregation should strive to become a trusted safe haven for broken hearts, a refuge for problem-filled lives, and a shelter for damaged relationships.

Just because we are Christians does not mean we will never face adversity or afflictions. Far too many people who struggle with mental health problems experience scorn and shame rather than care and compassion.

What to Do

What can we do in light of these realities? Here are seven practical steps we can take to help those who are suffering from mental health issues:

1. Talk about mental health. We are all broken people in need of God’s love, grace and mercy.

Preach about these issues. The Bible includes many real-life examples of people who struggled with depression, anxiety and anger. Present a sermon series on mental health, using relatable and redemptive biblical narratives.

Be appropriately transparent about your own experiences with emotions like grief or discouragement, or even with a diagnosable mental illness. Share the steps you took toward healing, such as asking for prayer or seeking counseling.

Your example will signal to others that it’s OK to ask for help. People will also feel more comfortable approaching you to talk about their problems when they see you as authentic and nonjudgmental.

2. Create a culture of care and compassion. Emphasize often that your church is a place of spiritual, physical and emotional healing. Share testimonies that illustrate redemptive grace and mercy. Talk about being a broken church for broken people. The words you use matter.

3. Conduct seminars and workshops on topics like marriage, parenting, and developing a biblically healthy identity. Consider collaborating with other churches and inviting mental health professionals to speak.

Open the sessions to the community. Let your city know you are a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.

4. Offer support groups for issues people are struggling with in your congregation and community. Examples might include grief and loss, divorce recovery, and addiction recovery.

Support groups are excellent disciple-making and evangelization tools. Including them in your ministries also communicates that your church cares about mental health. The presence of support groups on your website and in your weekly announcements will speak volumes to those who are hurting.

5. Open a resource center in your church. Provide helpful books, videos, websites and referral network information so people can find the help they need.

6. Visibly collaborate with various Christ-centered mental health agencies, rehabilitation centers, and treatment programs. Encourage direct parishioner involvement with them so people can personally experience the blessing of helping those who are helping others.

Organize meaningful support, prayer networks, and volunteer connections for those ministries and the people they serve. Provide sponsorship and financial help.

7. Develop personal relationships with caring Christian clinicians. Identify individuals to whom you can confidently and confidentially refer hurting people in your congregation.

Life is difficult, but the Church should be a place of hope and restoration.

Jesus put it this way: “Take care of my sheep” (John 21:16).

God calls us to preach His truth to struggling, hurting, imperfect people. He also calls us to come alongside them with compassion — loving them, ministering to them, and pointing them to the One who has “overcome the world” (John 16:33).

This article appears in the Spring 2022 edition of Influence magazine.