Mental Health Care at Church and Beyond: The Stigma Free Church

By Pastor Dr. Bill Reese

            Discern and care for The Church’s “invisible epidemic” of mental health!
“…the Black Church is still lagging behind when it comes to mental health support. This is a
brilliant piece of work withpromise to provide help and f

• Language: English
• Publisher: Outreach, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 11, 2018
• ISBN: 9781946453587

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

What is mental health? MentalHealth.gov defines it as our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It is the ability to function effectively in daily activities, resulting in productivity at playful activities, work, and school; experiencing fulfilling relationships; and developing resilience to change and adversity. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

I hope every pastor will accept the challenge to learn more about mental health and how to engage in the care of congregants. Mental health is a shared responsibility, and it is ok to make referrals for professional help—the burden doesn’t rest upon their shoulders alone. We are all keepers one of another.

It’s ok to walk beside our congregants while being ministered to by professional care providers. It is all a part of the total process of healing that has God’s approval, as revealed in the Good Samaritan story in the Bible, where the innkeeper is classified as a professional care provider. We just need to understand the follow-up and the follow-through of ministry, especially around mental health issues.

As pastors and professional care providers, we all must address the needs of those suffering in silence, feeling hopeless and helpless because of the help and support needed. A vital part of the pastoral team is to provide care and support and always be aware of congregant discrimination as it relates to emotional and mental health concerns. Later I will discuss church therapy, the practice of inclusion, and the way to wellness among congregants.

Many parishioners are afraid to disclose their mental trauma struggles to anyone in their local congregations. They fear rejection or even judgment while being authentic in describing their struggles. We must learn to hear the voice around mental health in a caring way.

Our plan here at God’s Way is to develop an emotionally healthy church. I felt led and challenged by the Lord to write about mental health care and the need for more pastors and church leaders to take a more active role. To address the mental health issues of congregants within our local churches and beyond, the pastor or church leader are vital team players. The objective is to bring about total awareness and inclusion for everyone to be acknowledged as a gifted member in the body of Christ. My prayer is that every pastor/leader will accept the challenge to address mental health. Throughout the book, you will discover ways to have a healthier, stigma-free church.

You will discover that there are many tools and techniques with points of interest that can be helpful in addressing mental health within our local church and beyond—tools to build a safer place of worship and shared responsibilities in worship and service, tools to inform, instruct, and educate pastors and church leaders on how to better understand and support those who are struggling with mental and emotional issues where we live and worship.

This book intends to point out that every church has a dialogue around mental health awareness, a designed model health plan, and its message can be shared from the pulpit. Designed programs or helpful workshops, and where people meet, such as barbershops or community group initiatives engaged in mental health concerns, are all a part of a support group.

There are stories of people with experience sharing their journey while living with mental health. Powerful empowerment tools are also included that are helpful in managing daily struggles and eliminating the stigma that seems to plague so many. Also included is the evidence of techniques that have helped them live a better day and many talking points as starters to help frame those discussions around mental health.

We will take a closer look at what church life should look like around mental health. Every church should take the challenge to determine whether it is healthy enough to tackle mental health issues. Scripture is used throughout because real people in those days had real struggles. Bible stories center on the then and now of mental health, people of like passion. Survivors speak volumes of truth that mental health has always existed within the spiritual realm of believers, and it’s ok to talk.

I believe every church ought to have a mental health model plan, where Christ is modeled and centered on all we do at church for the edification and upbuilding of the body of Christ. The chapters ahead offer nuggets that should have everyone talking about mental health among congregants, family members, and our neighbors. We will discover a better way to support and encourage those we