In June there were high profile stories in our country and community about suicide. These tragedies cause an uptick in conversations about mental health, conversations that need to be had, but this is not the way we want to get to them.
In these conversations I’m reminded that there are some Christian Communities where the answer to all mental health problems is to pray. And not only that, there are some Christian Communities where anything other than prayer is considered a failure of faith.
This is not one of those communities.
If you’ve ever talked privately with me you know that I encourage counseling as well as medical treatment for mental health. I do not see this as a lack of faith, and I forget that there are churches where that is the message.
The message I want you to hear from this pastor is that mental health and mental illness are not failings of faith, and there are many ways to seek help including faith-based and medicine-based. If you receive treatment, this is not something you need to feel shame about. If you think you may need help, and you don’t know where to turn, I am glad to refer you. I am not a trained counselor. My policy is to listen and refer, recognizing that sometimes what is most needed at first, is someone to listen. I am always glad to listen and pray with you.
In Christ,
Catherine
JUL