According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 4 Americans suffers from some kind of mental illness in any given year. One in 17 lives with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, major depression or bipolar disorder. Approximately 20 percent of youth ages 13–18 and 13 percent of youth ages 8–15 experience a severe mental disorder.
A recent LifeWay Research survey found that pastors rarely speak to their congregations about mental illness and fewer than 1 in 7 churches train leaders how to recognize mental illness, according to pastors.
The survey showed that family members and those with mental illness overwhelmingly support open discussion of mental health issues in church so the topic will not be a taboo. They also want churches to point families to local resources.
Though a quarter of churches surveyed said they do have a plan in place to assist families affected by mental illness, few family members said they were aware of a plan in their church.
Education is key to helping individuals and families affected by mental illness. The following resources compiled from various sources could be used by pastors and lay leaders to open a discussion about mental health in the Church.
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Pathways Professional Counseling — www.pathwaysprofessional.org
1-866-991-6864
Alabama Department of Mental Health — mh.alabama.gov/mi/
Provides links to mental health providers throughout the state and county-by-county
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) — www.nami.org
Support tools and information, including links to local NAMI affiliates
NAMI FaithNet — faithnet.nami.org
Faith-based resources including prayer and worship tools
Mental Health Ministries — www.mentalhealthministries.net
Provides video clips, bulletin inserts and other resources including faith-based resources for Mental Health Month
Pathways to Promise — www.pathways2promise.org
Pastor care line — 1-844-PASTOR1
A partnership effort between the North American Mission Board and Focus on the Family
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