06/01/2024
Church and Mental Health
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As a parent of kids with ADHD, autism, and anxiety, and as a person who experiences depression and anxiety myself, mental health is part of our story. We've plodded through depression, tornadoed through anxiety, and have taken turns supporting the family member most in need. It's part of my own testimony now. God has used our journey to show me many aspects of His character that I wouldn't have seen otherwise.
I expect everyone knows someone touched by a mental health issue, but did you know that regarding church communities, families with children with autism and ADHD are some of the most unreached groups? Many of these families fear being judged, and fear specifically that their parenting skills will be called into question if their child's behavior is misconstrued as misconduct. This very real fear keeps them from going to public parks or restaurants. It's magnified in a place like church, where social protocols are held to a higher degree.
Mental health issues affect people of all ages. As Christians and as church members, we need to think people with social deficits, anxiety or ADHD are affected on a daily basis, specifically in church settings:
A child with autism sits at the back of the auditorium with his mother during worship service. He has more room to walk, if needed, but he also has difficulty NOT walking out the back door. His mother is torn between wanting to keep him quiet, not make a scene, and pay attention to the sermon.
A member with ADHD keeps forgetting about her ministry commitments. The person in charge of this ministry reminds her that the schedule is posted in the back of the church. The woman with ADHD knows this, of course, but she can’t remember the schedule once she gets home, and the schedule isn’t posted anywhere else. She feels embarrassed asking again about her schedule.
A boy with ADHD has to sit for two straight hours, through two different children’s teaching classes. The church does not have the facilities for an indoor or outdoor play space. He gets redirected and called out for talking, taking too many bathroom breaks, and wiggling.
A person with autism has sensory issues related to food and turns down several lunch invitations. It’s also noticed that he doesn’t eat homemade breakfast items during Sunday school classes. He doesn’t know how to explain his sensory issues, and other members assume he is being rude.
A single woman repeatedly says she's “fine” and declines helpful offers for small home maintenence. She's seen as “strong” or sometimes a little proud, but in reality, the depression and loneliness is becoming so overwhelming that she fears normal conversations.
A woman with anxiety is slowly becoming comfortable in a small group, until a night when everyone is expected to pray out loud. She stops attending.
A child with autism and anxiety has been worried about his school grades all week. He didn’t sleep well and came to church with a migraine. While transitioning between services, he received a minor redirection from a church staff member which sent him into a meltdown. His parents are extremely embarrassed, and their engagement in the church decreases over the next months.
A man with ADHD and anxiety comes to a new church. He enjoyed the worship service, but stopped coming to Bible classes. When asked why, he said he felt overwhelmed by the amount of teaching materials on the walls of the small room. He also couldn’t ignore the underlying fear he felt in that room because he wasn’t able to sit close enough to the exit.
These situations happen. These are real feelings that real people really experience, believers and non-believers.
These are people in your church, or that used to be in your church, or that may be visiting your church right now. According to the CDC, 1 in 5 adults is currently living with a mental health issue, and 1 in 25 adults is living with a serious mental health issue (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder).
You may be tempted to think that in all these situations, if the person just “tried harder” they could participate in church. But, Christians, we can’t place the burden to “get included” on those who are “not included.” Jesus reached out to the marginalized. He went to them, he removed barriers, and when these outcasts were blessed enough to be in the synagogues, he brought them positive attention!
Let’s always remember:
People with mental health issues want to be included.
What can churches do to make those who struggle with mental health issues feel safe? What can churches do for current members with a mental health issue to feel more accepted and supported?
People with mental health issues can be reached
There is NO ONE beyond the grace of God. We are called to share the gospel with all types of people with all types of disabilities both visible and invisible.
What can churches do to welcome people with autism? How can you make your discipleship program more ADHD-friendly? What would someone with anxiety say about coming to your events?
As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, let me leave you with a few ideas about how you can make your church a friendlier place for those with mental health issues. Not every church can do every idea, but every church can do something.
Let mental health topics be a safe topic of discussion among all members and staff. This example needs to be set by leadership in public ways (sermons, study topics, or church social media}. We should not be shying away from our people's real issues.
Offer mental health training to staff and volunteers - https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-101 has training related to specific topics
Have established relationships with local mental health resources and be ready to share these resources to members in need
Consider starting a mental health support group
Have pictures of your church on your church website to reduce “fear of the unknown” to potential visitors
Consider establishing a mental health liaison. This person could be accessible to members and potential members, and be reached via email, text, or phone call.
Have multiple sources for programming schedules - websites, emails, social media, etc.
If space allows, implement a sensory or quiet room, accessible for children or adults.
Start a respite ministry for parents of children with disabilities
This is not an exhaustive list, but starter ideas only. For more ideas and support, check out these resources.
–keyministry.org
–Freshhope.org
–mentalhealthgracealliance.org
–https://www.focusonthefamily.com/get-help/mental-health-resources/
–“Mental Health and the Church" by Steven Grcevich
As we prepare for the next mission trip or outreach event, let's not forget the mission field right in our neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces. Kind and thoughtful conversations about mental health issues can be a great place to share the love of Jesus.
Psalms 28:7 HCSB
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I praise Him with my song."
--Morgan--
