A new study conducted at Baylor University indicated that families with a mentally ill member would like their congregation to offer more assistance. The study, published in the journal “Mental Health, Religion and Culture,” was the first to look at how mental illness of a family member influences an individual’s relationship with the church.
“Families with mental illness stand to benefit from their involvement with a congregation, but our findings suggest that faith communities fail to adequately engage these families because they lack awareness of the issues and understanding of the important ways that they can help,” said Diana Garland, Ph.D., dean of Baylor’s School of Social Work and co-author of the Baylor study.
The study surveyed nearly 6,000 participants in 24 churches representing four Protestant denominations about their family’s stresses, strengths, faith practices and desires for congregational assistance. Families with mental illness ranked help from the church as a second priority; however, families without mental illness ranked it 42nd on their list of requests from churches.
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Churches can be a good place to get help with “mental illness”. We(non-profit organization) are allies with several churches and we provide them with literature (factual)to give to their congregation. We also provide alternatives to the usual treatment (medications). People need to know that there can be an underlying physical condition or something as simple as a nutritional problem or allergies that cause mental illness symptoms. We want people to able to make an informed dicision if and when a situation like this arises.
I have found churches to be the worst place for help with “mental illness”. I lost hope within the “church” and don’t know if I can ever go back to one ever again.
I am a cradle catholic. Mental health is not a priority there.I have sat through an entire mass crying hard, the priest stood right in front of me for sermon and did not react to the pain at all. Not even after mass.I have had an ongoing battle with an emotional breakdown for over 4 years. They have no time to speak with you about anything much less a severe mental issue.I am 68 and I give up. Tried everything else and nothing works for more than a week.
@Joanna, Mental illness itself is not a easy subject to understand. Too much fear in getting involved with “mad people” is the common perception. Never know what crazy people will do to you. Therefore,often it will be difficult to form support groups.
Just because the church can’t help you with mental illness you wanted to quit church? Guess you may not be able to find another church based on my above reasoning.
Going to church is more than a social support function. Hope You can find God first,and finally find someone who can comfort, assist you in this very difficult treatment/understanding of mental illness.
Remember the crazy naked man in the gospel. Everyone avoided him as he run naked among the grave, people in general will shun mental cases (its very natural)same with christians [ not angels yet ]
My church have many support groups and in mental cases, they have to be referred to very specialised trained persons who may not have any association with the church; same goes with demonic cases. Demonic cases have some links to mental cases and usually some elders of the church will be able to distinguish the cases.
Joanna, hope you will pursue your healing in the right direction. God is with us, Immanuel
I have discovered that churches in general do not respond readily to mental illness. Recently I sat and called practically every church in our city phone book requesting assistance (and prayer) regarding my overwhelming depression and PTSD. (I live in a large city so this took me a day and 1/2 to do). I am sad to report that I received only 2 reply calls! I was shocked! I believed that my heartfelt appeal for help would touch the hearts of those in ministry. I expressed a sincere need for help and there was hardly a flutter to come to my aid…yikes….good thing I found another resource. I have since concluded that the church needs some updating on its opinions and training to help people with ‘issues’. Unike the naked demoniac, I cannot run up to Jesus for freedom from this condition. I need the Lord with clothes on…so get dressed church!
I go to a Lutheran church that offers assistance, but I don’t think I would take them up on it. After hearing sermons advising against reliance on anti-depressants, characterizing females as being categorically mentally ill and more, there is no way I would want their help.
In attending a class on missionary work in the field, my FORMER pastor stated that there was no such thing as “mental illness” but, that these diagnosis’ were merely sins that have not been repented for. After attending the class and after suffering almost my entire life with Bipolar I Disorder, I left the church where he is pastor.
I was suffering from major depression and had been hospitalized. My mom mentioned it to our parish priest and asked him to pray for me. He laughed and told her to tell me to have a stiff drink and I would feel better. He didn’t know us personally. But his insensitivity really hurt and angered both of us. I know he was just one ignorant person but I would never talk with another religious person about my illness. Most of them want you to just ignore it and try to pray it away. They blame you for your illness – either God is punishing you or you don’t have enough faith and willpower.
He laughed and told her to tell me to have a stiff drink and I would feel better. He didn’t know us personally. But his insensitivity