Mental Health & The Church: What Messages Are You Getting?
The church can be an important place for supporting people’s spiritual and social needs. Whether or not the church is a positive place for supporting mental health just depends on the church you’re attending and the messages they’re conveying, verbally or nonverbally. There are church communities that send messages that discourage people from seeking the mental health treatment they need, and there are others who actively support it.
I’m including two lists for you to review. One highlights the unhealthy messages often received about mental health in the church, and the other shows a more positive approach to addressing mental health in the church. These lists have been compiled through my own experiences and those of my clients.
Unhealthy Messages About Mental Health in the Church
“You just need to pray about it.” In essence, all you need is prayer. You don’t need to seek professional help for your mental health.
“Getting counseling shows lack of faith.”
“Maybe you’re just being tested.” This communicates the idea that one’s mental health is just a trial the person needs to get to. Unfortunately, there are times where people feel that their mental health challenges are punishment or that God is testing them.
Not talking about mental health at all.
Not talking about something sends the message that it’s bad. When we don’t talk about mental health, we send the message mental health is bad and not to be talked about.Statements from the pulpit in which mental health counseling or mental health professionals are spoken of negatively.
Want some specific examples? Read my previous blog, Damaging Mental Health Messages in the Church: Have You Bought Into Them?Spoken or unspoken messages that discourage the use of medication to manage mental health symptoms for conditions such as anxiety, depression, substance use, etc.
Consider: Do you ever hear your faith leader or fellow church members discourage people from taking their medication for diabetes or asthma? I’m guessing you don’t, so we want to be careful about not having a double standard when it comes to mental health. Health is health!
The unspoken message that a mental health provider’s guidance will run counter to your Christian perspective. Truth: All licensed mental health counselors are trained to work with their client’s worldview. A good, professional, and boundaried therapist will respect, acknowledge, and work within the context of your spiritual beliefs. If you work with someone who doesn’t, it’s OK to look for someone who will.
Messages that communicate the idea that one should get all of their needs (spiritual, emotional, and social) met through the church. While some churches do offer medical outreach, your church likely wouldn’t expect you to rely on it to care for your medical needs. In the same way, we need supportive messages for people who need professional help outside of the church to address their mental health symptoms.
Any message that shames people for taking steps to get professional help for their mental health.
Churches that actively support mental health & mental health treatment are out there!
Despite the fact that I’ve seen plenty of church leaders and church members disseminate really dangerous ideas about mental health treatment, I have also seen other church leaders rise to the occasion. In Towson, MD where our office is located, I’ve had the good fortune of meeting at least 2 faith leaders who positively promote emotional wellness and mental health counseling services.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve had the chance to see other church leaders discuss mental health topics in a positive way. Here’s how these faith leaders (and others) demonstrate understanding and support for mental health treatment.
Positive Mental Health Messages in the Church:
Willingness to acknowledge that the church has been silent on the topic of mental health.
Willingness to acknowledge that mental health and counseling have been viewed as taboo in church communities for far too long.
Willingness to acknowledge the real struggles that people in the church community face (unemployment, marital distress, family stressors, etc.)
Willingness to acknowledge that people in the church deal with anxiety, depression, substance use, and other concerns that can be addressed with professional help.
Ability to communicate ways that professional counseling services can work in conjunction with one’s spiritual practices (church attendance, prayer, meditation, reading the Bible, etc.)
Ability to recognize ways that faith leaders and mental health providers can work together for the common good of individuals in the church.
Willingness to refer church members to local mental health providers when someone’s needs are above and beyond what the faith leader can offer.
What messages have you received about mental
health in your church community?
After reading through these 2 lists, which category does your church community tend to fall in? Consider the messages that you’ve received from your church community and the ways they’ve influenced you and your beliefs about mental health and mental health treatment.
It’s important to know that there are church communities that positively acknowledge mental health and counseling services.
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Written By: Melissa Wesner, LCPC
Photos: Sincerely Media, Artem Kovalev, fotografierende, and Joyful on Unsplash
Date of Download: 11/2/2020
