Curated by Allie Kochert
Blog Articles
- The Modern Desert Dweller
- Kindness Doesn’t Just Make You Healthier, It Can Actually Slow Aging, New Research Shows
- Henri Nouwen on celebrating the holidays — and every day
About Mental Illness
As the body of Christ, when one is affected, we are all affected. Mental health is a significant part of our everyday lives, our communities, our churches. Awareness of how mental illness affects us and our loved ones or those to whom we minister can help us facilitate empathic and effective responses to protect and preserve wellness—mind, body and spirit. Here are several resources that are places to start.
Mental health resource guide for faith leaders: https://www.psychiatry.org/File%20Library/Psychiatrists/Cultural-Competency/Mental_Health_Guide_Tool_Kit_2018.pdf
Free & low fee essential therapy for essential workers
Clergy in the front lines of opioid epidemic:
https://www.addictionandfaithconference.com
Curated list of mental health conditions outlined by the American Psychiatric Association, helpful for those needing information about issues and disorders: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families
Some myths and facts about mental illness: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/mental-health-myths-facts
National hotline—how to help yourself of someone you know who is struggling: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
What is depression and how can I help? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression/art-20045943
What is anxiety and how can I help? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961
What is PTSD and how can I help? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967
Great resource that includes curated book lists on all types of topics to help increase awareness, reduce stigma and grow empathy: https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag/mental-health
What is suicide? Some myths: https://www.who.int/mental_health/suicide-prevention/myths.pdf
Suicide prevention is a social justice issue: https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/September-2017/Suicide-Prevention-as-a-Social-Justice-Issue
Suicide Prevention Helpline: 1-800-273-8255 or txt HOME to 741741
Mental health can be significantly impacted by religious experiences. Some introductory studies are reviewed here: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/amp/325061
On the Loving End of Crazy: Finding Hope and Help to Face A Loved One’s Crippling Anxiety and Depression by Faith Tibbetts McDonald
There is a wealth of information out there on the benefits of religion on mental health: https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/December-2016/The-Mental-Health-Benefits-of-Religion-Spiritual
Studies show that spiritual interventions such as spiritual counseling and pastoral support can improve mental health: https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/B26314DC89133A3FA4CC4220B6A5FBCF/S0033291715001166a.pdf/religious_and_spiritual_interventions_in_mental_health_care_a_systematic_review_and_metaanalysis_of_randomized_controlled_clinical_trials.pdf
Mental health and stigma (UK): https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/s/stigma-and-discrimination
Stigma and mental health discrimination: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5007563/
What churches get wrong about mental illness: https://www.thegravityofguilt.com/christianity/church-gets-wrong-about-mental-illness/
The Role of Spirituality and Mental Health in the UK: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/impact-spirituality.pdf
Burnout Prevention and Resiliency:
Burnout and compassion fatigue affects lots of people in the helping and healing professions, and clergy and others in ministerial positions can be at risk. Being aware of the symptoms of burnout as well as prevention strategies and resiliency training can be important steps to maintaining emotional health in an otherwise often challenging call.
Pastors Empowerment Project to prevent clergy burnout: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2016-44381-007
Study on preserving mental health of hospital chaplains https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3939980/#!po=1.25000
Predictors for chaplaincy burnout: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/29914321/
Burnout and Social Justice Advocacy: https://aca.digitellinc.com/aca/sessions/15843/view
Review of literature on clergy burnout and resiliency: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/154230501306700103?journalCode=pcca
Families of clergy persons experience specific and special stressors, but help is out there:
Mental Health Ministries
Churches and faith communities can be ground zero when it comes to mental health and wellness issues in their communities. There is lots of great work being done out there in mental health ministries around the country, and communities of faith have a unique position to improve awareness, educate and reduce stigma around mental illness.
Interfaith network for mental illness; includes those faith communities who have a mental health ministry: http://inmi.us
Excellent resource for clergy and faith institutions for updated research and focus on mental health and spirituality: https://www.nami.org/faithnet
Mental health ministry in faith communities: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4000587/
Faith communities matter in improving mental health outcomes:
https://www.rand.org/blog/rand-review/2019/01/faith-based-organizations-promote-well-being-in.html
https://academic.oup.com/her/article/26/6/1107/597282
Community Conversation discussion guide about mental health—great for discussion groups! https://store.samhsa.gov/system/files/sma13-4764.pdf
Stigma remaining a barrier to proper and consistent care: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/supersurvivors/201808/the-tragedy-mental-illness-stigma
Stigma-reducing partnerships with faith communities are critical to help those who suffer from mental illness, their families, and their communities: https://www.psychiatry.org/newsroom/news-releases/psychiatry-and-faith-community-leaders-kick-off-collaboration
Ways to fight mental illness stigma: https://www.nami.org/blogs/nami-blog/october-2017/9-ways-to-fight-mental-health-stigma
UCC and WISE congregations for mental health https://www.ucc.org/news_general_synod_a_wise_welcome_06292015
How faith and spirituality can benefit mental health: https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Living-with-a-Mental-Health-Condition/Faith-Spirituality
Dangers of Conversion Therapy, which remains legal in the majority of US states https://www.hrc.org/resources/the-lies-and-dangers-of-reparative-therapy
Supporting family and friends who have mental health struggles:
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/friends-family-members
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/faith-community-leaders
Mental Wellness, Spiritual Practices and Faith
“The Dark Night is nothing but the ongoing relationship with the Divine.” –Gerald May, MD, The Dark Night of the Soul
When viewed as an adjunct to traditional therapy or used as a maintenance support for prevention efforts, the embodiment practices, peer support and connection that spiritual practices provide can be excellent sources of healing and support.
Centering prayer and depression: https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/article/centering-prayer-and-depression
Mindfulness and contemplative practices improving mental wellness: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/28819790/
List of research on spiritually, mental health and the intersection of the two: https://www.psychiatry.org/File%20Library/Psychiatrists/Cultural-Competency/faith-mentalhealth-bibliography.pdf
Importance of including spirituality and faith as part of the health of the whole person: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3705681/
Faith as a predictor for gratitude and its subsequent improvements in wellbeing https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/September-2016/When-Looking-for-Happiness-Find-Gratitude
Spiritual direction as an adjunct to mental health treatment for “soul wholeness”: https://www.sdiworld.org/blog/spiritual-direction-movement-toward-soul-wholeness
Centering Prayer and Stress Reduction: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225551447_Centering_Prayer_as_a_Healing_Response_to_Everyday_Stress_A_Psychological_and_Spiritual_Process
Emma Higgs’ blog on Christian Church and Mental Illness: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/emmahiggs/2018/05/what-the-church-needs-to-know-about-mental-health/
Mindfulness is an excellent way to start integrating a cosmic or spiritual lens to emotional wellness strategies. A good book to start on this path is Art of Noticing:
Compassion is a human drive and supports our mental and emotional wellness:
Rachel Keefe studies suicide prevention and has an excellent interview here on how churches can be at the front lines of this important topic:
Check out Keefe’s book, Lifesaving Church: https://chalicepress.com/products/the-lifesaving-church
How BIPOC can cope with anxiety and racism
Community Healing Spaces – Here are virtual workshops focused on offering healing space for BIPOC and focusing in intersectionality between social justice work and the arts, mental health and spiritual wholeness.