Mental Health: A Christian Response
By Joan Rowe & Brent Harding
Next Sunday morning look down your pew and count 10 people, including yourself.
Mental health experts estimate that two of those 10 people, perhaps more, are suffering from mental health issues. One person could be the young woman with the baby, suffering post-partum depression. Perhaps it is her young son struggling with bullying at school. Or it may be the fellow at the end grappling with substance abuse. They are the faces of mental illness. They are desperately in need of love and support. Churches, and St. Andrew’s is no exception, are often in the front lines of mental health care. People regularly approach the church because they need help in dealing with the symptoms of mental illness --- their own or someone else’s. We need to be ready to respond to people who need us, and this response starts with considering mental illness from a Christian point of view.
How can a Christian respond to this reality in our community? St. Andrew’s Mission Team, supported by the Pastoral Care Team, has organized an evening seminar and panel discussion on Wednesday, October 3, 6:30 pm at St. Andrew’s to address mental illness from a broad perspective --- the intersection of faith and psychology, and what the church can do to help. We hope to examine common myths and begin to put the stigma of mental illness behind us. Participants on the panel will include: minister from St. Andrews; Geri Fitch, registered psychologist and marriage and family therapist; Adam Hall, registered psychologist and former director of youth ministry at St. Andrew’s; and a yet-unknown panelist who is willing to share his or her experience.
One of the biggest challenges in mental health is community recognition. All too often an individual’s response can be a platitude, then a turning away. The real solution, the Christian solution, is the opposite. Not to turn away. Mental illness is not contagious. Panel participants will discuss mental health and how a simple, Christian display of caring can be an important first step. Joining the October 3 seminar shows you are interested enough to care. It doesn’t mean you or your family have mental health issues. But when you meet one of those two people in the pew with you, the ones grappling with mental health issues, you will be better prepared to help in fostering a Christian community of welcome, compassion and support. For further information contact: Brent Harding; Joan Rowe, Mission Team; Judie Coleman, Pastoral Care Team. Join us for a sandwich at the beginning of the session in the Karl English Lounge. Child Care provided. Free will offering. Sign up at the volunteer centre.!