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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 99
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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I have utilized my family and a few close friend. It’s not easy to admit struggles and/ask for help. I have not had any pastors or leaders within the church give support for my personal struggle. However, God has led me to a counselor previously and provided my wonderful son as support.
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I am sorry you church leaders have not been helpful, but I understand their time restraints and often lack of training. Find someone who is trained to understand and lead you in health.
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I suffered rape at a young age and have sought professional counselling but more fulfilling is the bible and knowing God is listening to my prayers for healing
I recommend the church for support this is certainly the case for myself
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this is indeed a major trauma. I’m glad you have found a church that helps you. the fact that you can mention it here shows that you have recovered or are well on the way to recovery.
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I am sorry. It is a heavy burden, but Jesus never left you nor forsook you. Thankful for His comfort!
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One of my weekly routines that has been very helpful for me is dedicating a certain day and time each week to get along with God, aside from my daily prayers. I do this in the main sanctuary of the church, at the altar during a time when the church is closed, and no-one is there. I have no definitive start or end time. I allow the Holy Spirit to guide me. This is me and God time. I use this time to intercede in prayer for those in my personal prayer box that I take with me when I go. It is also my time to open up to God and share the things on my heart. I share and then I wait, listening for God to speak back to me. I’ve also dedicated one day in the week to deep dive into the word of God. My family knows this is my day in the word and not to bother me. I do not schedule appointment outside of my home on this day. This time in the word and the me time in prayer has made all the difference in my life.
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20 April 2024– I have sought out both secular and pastoral counseling. I also have learned how to handle ‘stress’ ,through purposeful ‘life-style’ changes– Going for walks,biblio-therapy,formal and informal spiritual growth activities,e.g. small-group participations. I would encourage individuals NOT to ignore mass media messages,that brief individuals on Mental health challenges,e.g 9-8-8 #, National Support groups in existence.In answering the last question part, they have helped me to enjoy ‘shalom’ ,by helping me to recognize I am NOT alone with my ‘issues’.
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My opinion and experience of mental health management within the church aligns with the video. Most people have some level of a sense of pride about themselves and no-one wants to be thought of as different. No one want to be labelled or stigmatized as less than the rest of the congregation. So, they keep their issues to themselves. At times someone will come to leadership and ask for help. And, under the right leadership have received counselling that was helpful. But I am not so sure in every case, it was complete. I believe in the power of the word of God to change people and change situations. I also know that God knows that other support and resources He has made available are needed to make some people completely whole. Regarding leaders: there is a lot of responsibility and trust place on them to be the role model and have the answer for everything. Many of them are hurting and dealing with the some of the same things as the people they lead. They are afraid to be the least bit transparent in fear of being seen as weak, rather than human. The leaders who have had the greatest success are those who live a balance life between ministry and self, those who have a small group of people who he/she trusts to hold them accountable and will be there to help them through their own mental health issues; without being judgmental.
Church ministries can destigmatize mental health illness within the church through education. First, educating themselves on mental health and trauma. Then educate the congregation through preaching, teaching, educational seminars with expert in the field. Lovingly, help the congregation feel comfortable in discussing their issues and let them know they are not alone.