Bringing Light into Darkness – Mental Health and Church

Monday this week is labelled “Blue Monday” – supposedly the most depressing day of the whole year. People affected by SAD (seasonal affective disorder) may not notice it being any worse than any other day of the long winter, but mental health has been on my mind as the Bell Let’s Talk ads ramp up for the big day on January 25th. I’m thrilled for the open dialogue about mental illness that this fosters.

As I prepare for worship this Sunday, the lectionary readings talk about many related things: Isaiah 9:2 about the people who walked in darkness having seen a great light. Matthew 4:16 echoes this passage and verse 23, the last verse of the reading, talks about Jesus proclaiming the good news and healing every sickness and disease. 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 talks about not allowing there to be any divisions among believers.

With the inauguration of Donald Trump as President this Friday and the many divisions that has fostered, it would be easy to think of political, religious and racial divisions. But I particularly think today of divisions that perhaps aren’t as visible – those who struggle with mental illness being a prime one, as well as those who don’t have as much or can’t access resources they need. As the church we are called to follow Jesus and fish for people. We are called to be a unified body with Christ as the head, with the seemingly weaker parts given more honour. Mental illness touches every congregation and our response says much about our beliefs about being God’s people.

As someone who can struggle with anxiety, and likely has experienced undiagnosed depression, I have a bit of an idea of what chronic sufferers may be going through and the stigma they face. How can we break through that barrier and respond as Jesus would? Here are some suggestions to get you thinking:

1. Open the door to dialogue and make it safe to talk about mental health. In leader orientation and training, talk about self-care and be available as a support. If leaders miss due to illness, follow up and gently find out what’s going on and what help might be welcomed, if any. Express care and concern equally for physical and mental health issues. Troubleshoot ways to still include this person as they heal and/or cut back their role to something manageable and still enjoyable. A complete break may be needed.

2. Families experience mental illness in many ways – a parent can struggle with depression, anxiety, PTSD, bi-polar or other disorders. Or, perhaps a grandparent or aunt or uncle needs care and support. Open the door to dialogue once you find out that there is a concern. If a parent is unable to cope, make sure your minister and/or pastoral care provider is aware. Offer to provide meals, drive the kids to church and other programs, and just be a supportive presence as is welcome. Be available to listen.

3. Children and youth often experience sadness and depression for a variety of reasons. My hometown of Woodstock, Ontario had several teen suicides in the last year and a rally and other events were organized because the teens needed to process this to cope. We used to think that teens who were moody were just going through a stage. Now we know that a clinical diagnosis is more likely and help is needed before a concern spirals. There are many picture books and other resources available for kids and youth about mental health. This website is one of many listing books that might offer support: https://www.parentbooks.ca/Depression_Resources_for_Kids_&_Teens.html -

4. If you are on the front line of providing support to families, find out what resources are in your community. Know your limits of knowledge and expertise and refer as quickly as possible, whether that is to your minister, a nurse in your congregation, or another health professional in the community. Follow up to make sure something happened and, if not, be ready to move on to another support. If you are paid staff in a church/ministry, have a list of emergency support numbers by your phone such as CMHA, crisis phone lines, mental health intake at the nearest hospital offering it, counsellors, the Salvation Army, emergency shelters, etc. Check your local phone book or google to see what is available. Care for yourself as you support others.

5. If you have permission from those involved (always honour confidentiality), widen the net of support – get the family on the prayer chain (with specifics or not), let other families with kids of similar ages know that help may be needed, ensure that someone is making regular contact with the family and listening to find out how things are going, have your knitters provide a prayer shawl, etc. Think of what particular gifts God has placed within your ministry setting that could bless this situation.

Mental illness is a very specific form of darkness which Jesus dealt with many times throughout the gospels. He brought Light to people who were hurting and usually written off by the community who were fearful or ignorant of what was happening. Today, we have so many more tools at our fingertips and so much more knowledge of how to help.

Pray today for all who are impacted by mental illness and for how God may want to use you to bring light into darkness.