Week 11 Part 1- The Church’s Response

How do you support someone you love?

What can the church do?

Develop a Theology of Mental Health

Is mental illness because:

They are a sinner?

They have unconfessed sin?

They do not believe?

Or is because

Of the sins of the family?

The sin of Adam?

Their failure?

Their biology?

Their trauma?

Is it a spiritual issue?

Is it demonic?

Is it an agreement or stronghold?

Is this solely a mental health issue?

Does the church have anything to say?

Does spirituality play any part?

Is spirituality helpful or hurtful?

What you believe creates space for the rest of the conversation. 

Week 11 Part 2- Resourcing the Church


“If you know someone who’s depressed, please resolve never to ask them why. Depression isn’t a straightforward response to a bad situation; depression just is, like the weather.


Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness, and loneliness they’re going through. Be there for them when they come through the other side. It’s hard to be a friend to someone who’s depressed, but it is one of the kindest, noblest, and best things you will ever do.”

― Stephen Fry

Build a Resource List


Prepare


Break Stigma


Make Space

Why your resource list first?

What do you need on your resource list?

Therapists

Psychiatrists

Community Mental Health

Community Resources

Therapists:

Quality?

Specialization?

Faith Based?

Biblical Counseling?

Therapists:

Talk Therapists

Trauma Therapists (EMDR)

Addiction Therapists (CAC)

Marriage and Family (LMFT)

Family Systems Therapists 

Specializations:

Each Mental Disorder

Women

Men

Teens

Kids

Etc. 

Cost:

Insurance available?

Cost Per Session


Include low-cost options if possible

Psychiatric Resources

Psychiatrists

Mental Health Centers

Other Qualified Specialists

GPs

Psychiatric Resources


Often through Insurance


Exceptions

Psychiatric Resources


Research Universities

Ex. CU Depression Center in Colorado

Community Mental Health

What resources are available?

Telehealth?

Community Resources

What non-profits or organizations exist in your area?

Community Resources

Drop-In Centers

Support Groups

Resource Navigation

Peer Support

Suicide Prevention

Community Resources

Volunteer Arrangement

Story-Telling Groups

Upstream Opportunities

Week 11 Part 3- Changing the Church


Build a Resource List


Prepare


Break Stigma


Make Space

Prepare

Find at least one person who understands the system


Find at least one person willing to share their story

Trainings for staff

Mental Health First Aid

(mentalhealthfirstaid.org)

Soul Shop (soulshopmovement.org)

Sources of Strength

(sourcesofstrength.org)


Build a Resource List


Prepare


Break Stigma


Make Space

Breaking Stigma


Stigmas must be broken on stage with real people sharing their stories.

People do not heal alone

Groups for Churches


My Quiet Cave

Myquietcave.org


Fresh Hope 

Freshhope.us


Grace Alliance

Mentalhealthgracealliance.org

Addressing mental health changes who your church can reach


And it changes the DNA of the church for the better


Last modified: Tuesday, August 15, 2023, 11:59 AM