Understanding the Church’s Role in Mental Health: Let’s Get Real

I grew up in a church where mental health wasn’t just ignored—it was taboo. Struggling? Crying yourself to sleep at night? Feeling so weighed down by anxiety or depression that you couldn’t function? Those were things you prayed away, rebuked, or pretended didn’t exist. I learned to hide it well.

I know what it’s like to cry in silence, shaking with fear or despair, but then paint on a smile and walk into church like everything’s fine. Because heaven forbid anyone sees your humanity, right? I’ve sat in services, desperate for someone to tell me it was okay to feel this way, but instead, I was met with platitudes: “Just have more faith.” “You need to trust God more.” “If you’re really a Christian, you shouldn’t feel like this.”

And here’s the thing—I didn’t just hear it from others. I said it to myself.

The Lie of Perfection

I spent years rebuking myself for being human. I thought feeling anxious or struggling with depression meant I was failing God, that my faith wasn’t strong enough. And yet, when I read my Bible, I see Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, overwhelmed to the point of sweating blood. I see Him crying out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” on the cross (Matthew 27:46).

I don’t criticize Him for that. I don’t see weakness—I see raw, honest humanity. I see courage in vulnerability. So why can’t I have that same compassion for myself? Why did I think I needed to be some perfect, unrealistic version of a Christian, to the point where I even tried to lie to myself about how I felt?

We live in a broken world. Of course, our emotions and struggles reflect that—whether they’re circumstantial, physical, or mental. Ignoring them doesn’t make them go away. Denying them doesn’t bring healing.

I’ve spent so much time rebuking my own anxiety instead of addressing it. Imagine if I had given myself grace. Imagine if, instead of pretending it wasn’t there, I’d sought help—through therapy, through community, through scripture. How much healing could I have found sooner?

Mental Health and Faith: The Bible’s Perspective

Let’s get something straight: Having a mental health struggle does not mean you lack faith.

• Jesus Felt Deep Emotional Distress
  In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was overwhelmed to the point of death (Matthew 26:38). He prayed, cried, and wrestled with what lay ahead. Was He weak? Lacking faith? No. He was human, and He was real.
• David Was Honest About His Pain
  Read the Psalms, and you’ll see David pouring out his heart to God in despair: “My tears have been my food day and night” (Psalm 42:3). David wasn’t rebuking himself for his feelings—he was bringing them to God.
• Elijah Battled Exhaustion and Hopelessness
  After a great victory, Elijah fled in fear and prayed for God to take his life (1 Kings 19:4). God didn’t rebuke him or tell him to “snap out of it.” Instead, God provided rest, food, and reassurance.

Breaking the Stigma

The church needs to be a place where people feel safe to admit they’re struggling—without fear of judgment or shame. But that starts with us.

Here are three lies the church has believed about mental health and the truth we need to embrace instead:

1. Lie: Mental health struggles mean you don’t have enough faith.
   Truth: Faith and mental health are not opposites. Struggling doesn’t make you less of a Christian; it makes you human.
2. Lie: Therapy or counseling isn’t biblical.
   Truth: Seeking help is wise and necessary. Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” God can work through therapists just as He works through pastors.
3. Lie: Talking about mental health isn’t spiritual.
   Truth: God cares about every part of us—body, mind, and soul. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

Advice and Encouragement

If you’re struggling with your mental health:

• Be Honest with God
  He already knows how you feel, so bring it to Him. Cry out, just like David did.
• Seek Help
  There’s no shame in therapy or counseling. Find a Christian counselor if you can, but don’t limit yourself to only “church-approved” help.
• Lean on Community
  You don’t have to do this alone. Surround yourself with people who will listen, pray, and support you. If your current community isn’t safe for that, find one that is.
• Give Yourself Grace
  Healing takes time. It’s okay to have bad days. You’re not a failure because you’re still struggling.

To the Church: Do Better

Church, we need to stop shaming people for being human. We need to stop pretending that faith means never struggling. It’s time to create spaces where people can be real about their mental health without fear of judgment.

• Preach on Mental Health
  Normalize these conversations from the pulpit. Acknowledge the struggles people face and point them to both spiritual and practical solutions.
• Partner with Professionals
  Build relationships with Christian counselors or mental health organizations. Host workshops or provide resources for your congregation.
• Be a Safe Place
  Train leaders to recognize mental health challenges and respond with empathy. Foster a culture where it’s okay to not be okay.

A Final Word

I’m still learning to extend grace to myself. I still struggle, but I’ve stopped pretending I don’t. The church should be a place where we can bring our brokenness—not because we have all the answers, but because we trust the One who does.

God doesn’t ask us to be perfect. He asks us to come as we are, struggles and all. And if He can extend compassion to us in our weakness, it’s time we do the same—for ourselves and for each other.

You’re not alone in this. Healing is possible. Hope is real. And the church can be a part of that if we’re willing to step up.

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