It felt like an earthquake, the ground suddenly moving underneath us. When the quaking stopped, everything—and everyone—had changed… and the aftershocks would continue for decades. Only this was a different kind of shaking.
I was only 14 and my family was rocked to its foundation when my mother suffered a severe and disabling psychotic break. After that day, her illness could no longer be hidden; her symptoms could no longer be dismissed as quirks of personality. Eventually, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia, an apt explanation for her long history of challenges with cognitive functioning, emotional expression, and relationships. Her diagnosis was a helpful point of reference for the future as we walked through the harsh effects of her illness: delusions, paranoia, religious confusion, panic attacks, numerous hospital admissions, homelessness, criminal conviction, and even prison time.
My dad was a pastor until I was 13. After that we were committed laypeople, involved in a strong church that, like many, was in over its head when facing my family’s crisis. I had been in church my entire life and never heard mental illness mentioned in a sermon, youth group meeting, or any other theological conversation. So when mom’s breakdown created a spiritual crisis for me, I didn’t feel I could discuss my questions with anyone. That door just wasn’t open.
Destructive Beliefs
After growing and healing, I have written extensively about mental illness and the Church’s response, including the book, Troubled Minds: Mental Illness and the Church’s Mission. I regularly speak on the topic and have opportunities to hear from many people who have experienced mental illness personally and in their families. Although many of these individuals feel alone in their trouble, they share common experiences, questions, and needs.
For many, a mental illness—theirs or a loved one’s—cuts right into the way they see themselves, God, and their community of faith. Here are some common myths people need the Church to contradict:
- “God has rejected me.” Painful thoughts and feelings convince people God has walked away from them because they did something unforgivable or do not have enough faith.
- “My life is worthless now.” Although a great deal of mental illness can be successfully addressed, with some treatments up to 90% effective, many view a mental health diagnosis as the end of hope for a productive and fulfilling life.
- “I’m alone.” Because of the stigma and silence surrounding mental health, many believe their problems are rare and no one can effectively relate to them.
- “No one can answer my questions.” When there is little to no theological discussion regarding mental illness and the Church avoids the conversation altogether, many believe the Christian faith has nothing to offer in the face of this trial.
- “If I speak up, I’ll be rejected.” Many are hiding in fear, convinced that if they admit to struggling with mental health issues, they will be ostracized… and in some cases, they are right.
Stigma in the Church
Churches, even those that want to help, frequently exacerbate the crisis by perpetuating a sense of shame. Here are some of the ways churches stigmatize mental illness:
- They send the message that Christians do not have serious problems. Some churches embrace this idea as part of their core teaching; others suggest it without meaning to.
- They perpetuate a misunderstanding and mistrust of psychology. There are outdated notions of psychology and the belief it leads people away from God because it is based on scientific research rather than pure biblical teaching—never acknowledging that every other field of medicine is also scientifically based.
- They refer and forget. While it is appropriate for churches to refer people to mental health professionals, abandoning them without proper spiritual care communicates that the Church has nothing to offer in times of real darkness.
- They stay silent. When failing to address mental illness as reality, we reinforce loneliness and marginalization and send a message that God offers no help or hope.
- They assume all mental illness is caused by demons. This faulty belief undermines legitimate treatment and isolates people who need help.
- They claim mental illness is evidence of weak faith or flagrant sin. Some blame people for their suffering, suggesting they are less spiritual and/or more sinful than the rest of us and withhold the grace and hope Christ gives freely.
- They propose purely spiritual solutions to medical problems. Some discourage people from seeking medical help and, instead, suggest religious activity or intervention as the solution.
