About three out of ten (29.1%)
said that, on average, mental
illness is never mentioned in
sermons at their church.
More than 40% of church leaders
have never reached out to and
ministered to a family within their
congregation with someone who
has mental illness.
Although 80% of church leaders
believe mental illness to be "… a
real, treatable and manageable
illness caused by genetic,
biological or environmental
factors," only one out of eight (or
12.5%) of them said mental
illness is discussed in a healthy
way in their church (Simpson,
2013:144).
Mental health is a real issue that
presents real needs for God's people.
If the church is likened to a hospital, it
has to advertise its ability to address all
sickness. Once the church speaks up,
people will turn to the church rather
than from the church for help. The
church has to break the silence!
Destigmatize the Issue
It is important that we have
destigmatize mental illness. A stigma
is a mark of disgrace associated with a
particular circumstance, quality, or
person. It is interesting and telling that
the church views physical ailments
(i.e. diabetes, cancer, etc.) as part of
life. However, mental illness is largely
viewed as a lack of faith.
We live in a society where everyone
feels the pressure to appear okay and
in control an d that pressure is
magnified in the church. After all,
believers should have every issue
resolved upon receiving Christ,
correct? Wrong! Receiving Christ
means that we
are saved (by
grace and
through faith)
and that we are
now in right
standing with
God. Our sins
are forgiven
and we are able
to walk in the
newness of life.
That does not
mean we are
no longer
impacted by
the challenges
resulting from
living in a fallen
world or being wrapped in sinful flesh.
In fact, what it means is that we have
a Father, a Physician, an Advocate,
and Friend to whom we can turn in
times of need. That is the privilege of
the believer!
It is time for the church to break its
silence around mental illness,
The BrighterLife Magazine | Page 23
destigmatize it and offer a solution!
The Church is the Solution
Scripture makes it clear that sin may be the problem:
Proverbs 28:13: “People who conceal their sins will not
prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will
receive mercy”.
Psalm 32:3–5: “When I kept silent about my sin, my body
wasted away by my groaning all day long. For your hand was
heavy upon me day and night; my strength was exhausted as
in a summer drought. My
sin I acknowledged to
you; my iniquity I did not
hide. I said, 'I will confess
my transgressions to the
Lord.' And you forgave
the guilt of my sin!”
Psalm 38:4–7: “For my
iniquities have gone over
my head; like a heavy
burden, they are too
heavy for me. My wounds
stink and fester because
of my foolishness, I am
utterly bowed down and
prostrate; all the day I go
about mourning. For my
sides are filled with
burning, and there is no
soundness in my flesh”.
Psalm 38:18 “I confess my guilt. My sin troubles me”.
When sin is the issue, we must offer hope and help members seek
God, until He makes an exchange. In Isaiah 61:3, God says that
He would “give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for
mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” God
is all powerful. He is well able to lift someone out of depression.
Churches with members
suffering from acute mental
illness (i.e. depression, bipolar
disorder, schizophrenia, etc.)
may have to take a more
measured and multilevel
approach. There is a time to
pray, counsel, preach the
Word of God. There is also a
time to assist in a deeper way.
What more can be done?
I believe churches that take a
more multilevel approach will
do the following:
Educate and train leaders
on the way in which to
recognize mental illness;
Have plans to assist
families affected by
mental illness;
Employ counselors who
are skilled in dealing with
mental illness;
Create a mental health
ministry (counselors,
ministers, etc.);
Connect with community
partners who are trained
and skilled in the
treatment of mental
illness;
Communicate to
congregations about
local mental health
resources; and
Destigmatize and break
the culture of silence that
leads to shame.
What is the mind of Christ
in this matter?
God wants to use the church
of the living God to re-present
Himself on earth to meet the
needs of Believers.
Saddleback Church (United
States), where Rick Warren is
pastor, adopted a mantra
that should be examined by
all churches. It reads as
follows:
We (Insert your church
name here) care about
the whole family, and we
want to care about them
for their whole lifetime.
We want to minister to
the physical, spiritual,
emotional, relational
and mental needs of a
person because Jesus
did (Bible Registry,
2015).
Churches across the world
should take this same
approach. We are the salt and
the light, leading people to
the hospital. Let us make sure
that we have the necessary
help available when they get
there. Amen and amen.
Dr. Matisa D. Wilbon PhD.