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Lesson OneDefining Mental Health and Trauma10 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson TwoWhat Can the Bible Teach Us about Mental Health?8 Activities2 Assessments
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Lesson ThreeStrategies for Managing Mental Health10 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson FourSupporting People to Overcome Mental Health Challenges8 Activities2 Assessments
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Lesson FiveEquipping a Ministry to Address Mental Health7 Activities
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Course Wrap-UpCourse Completion3 Activities
Participants 126
Discussion: Destigmatizing Mental Health in the Church
In this discussion, you will have the opportunity to share your thoughts and opinions about how mental health has been conceptualized and treated in the church, and whether you think mental health has been stigmatized within Christian contexts.
This should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.
This discussion is designed to help you collect ideas from other course participants about their understanding and experience of mental health management. Since this course is asynchronous (i.e. other learners complete the course at different times) you may not see many discussion submissions or receive replies to your posts. Therefore, consider your submissions to this discussion forum as a way to share your insights about what you have learned to inspire or challenge others in their learning journey, and to enable others to do the same for you. While other learners may not see or respond to your comments in the short term, encouraging others and engaging with others enhances our learning experience.
Instructions
Watch this video (courtesy of the Lausanne Global Classroom) that highlights some of the problematic ways in which mental health has been thought of and treated within the church and Christian contexts.
Watch
Read
TranscriptAfter watching the video, answer the following question(s) in this discussion to share your reflections and insights with other participants:
- How does your opinion and experience of mental health management within the church or other Christian contexts differ or is similar to the ideas expressed in the video?
- What do you think church and ministry members can do to destigmatize mental health illness in these contexts and in wider society?
Response
- Post your response to the questions in under 200 words.
- Comment on another learner’s post (should there be others) by asking or answering questions about their submission to further your appreciation of mental health as a pastoral and missional concern.
Take some time now to contribute to this discussion. Remember to return to the discussion as you progress in the course to learn from more contributions from other participants.
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How have you gone about addressing mental health challenges of your own and what support, and informal or formal assistance truly helped you overcome them? (Perhaps share an experience about how you used the resources and ideas in this lesson to overcome mental health challenges.) | What routines, activities, or processes would you recommend to others to maintain optimal mental health? Describe these and how they have helped you enjoy shalom in your life.
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38 Replies
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I have been fortunate in that I was brought up in a family that was supportive of others dealing with mental health issues. This has made conversations around this topic comfortable for me but I have seen the walls go up many times when the issue is brought up in a church context. Keeping close to God through prayer, journaling when times are tough and having a good support group of friends and family has kept me on track throughout my journey. Regular breaks in nature calms my physical, mental and spiritual body 🕊️
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The last 3 years have been extremely traumatic, adding to it, I can’t seem to find a support system outside of the Bible. There are the quick wins to help me feel like I can accomplish something, like learning to make bread, and my in-home garden. Meditation with God has helped me to feel grounded and has enhanced my relationship with Him. Knowing that “today” I get a fresh start and cherishing each precious moment that we’re not promised, helps gives joy and peace.
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I have addressed mental health challenges with support. Getting mental health help was not widely supported when I was growing up. I remember hearing about people who needed mental health support and how they were looked down on. It wasn’t until I became an adult that seeking mental health support was recognized as something that was needed and accepted in my community. I recommend having someone you can talk to in order to maintain optimal mental health. It can be a friend, your pastor, a sibling, or spouse. Just having someone who will listen to your feelings and not judge you really helps when dealing with issues and to maintain optimal mental health. I also recommend taking small trips or getaways to relax and recharge. I find that if I try to relax or say I am taking a day at home, I never seem to just let my mind be free to enjoy the time. I always look at what needs to be done and end up doing something that I need to do or helping someone else. So, getting away makes me forget things on my mind and helps me to just enjoy the peace in my life.
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Addressing mental health challenges starts with not knowing how to address challenges with your emotions and your mind. I have been supported by church leaders such as youth pastors and small group leaders that have known me since I was a little girl. I recommend talking to someone you can trust young people need to be in circles that can support them such as youth groups and cell groups. I have maintained constant communication with my mentors for over 20 years and these helped me so much through life challenges. I came to realize that their lives are not perfect either, they have challenges of their own but they are always there for me, this has inspired me to be an open vessel for the Lord for kindness and mental support.
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In the past I did not talk about it but now I would hide it I’ve talked to people about it and I’m more open but many people need to be open to mental illness
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I honestly think the church should get more involved or least have some training on this ,especially through the deepest side of darkness and the cold bitter nights in winter. It may help our churches, how to help those that deal with mental health problems and how they can support them by the scriptures passages to read. In Philippians 4 vs 6 and 7 it says Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made know to God vs 7 says And the peace of God , which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in christ Jesus.
