Let's overturn these tables

They say western cultures are experiencing a mental health epidemic.

Broken relationships, anxiety, addictions, violence, guilt, depression and psychological disorders are some of the evidences or causes of a sharp rise in those seeking help.

We would all want the church to be a place where people can find acceptance, care and healing, and certainly not a place which causes trauma and anxiety.

How can we help and not hinder?

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People are hurting

The statistics are mounting up:

• The number of mental health disorders among Australians aged 16-24 jumped almost 50% in 15 years, to now affect 40% of that population. Young women were more affected than men, and anxiety was the most common disorder.
• In the US a few years back, over 70% of college students were diagnosed with psychological disorders. In the 6 years before Covid, the numbers rose by 40%.
• Before Covid, 1 in 6 Europeans were affected by mental disorders, and the number has probably risen since then. Mental health was generally worst in western Europe, including UK, and not so bad in the east. Almost half of 15-24 year olds had unmet mental healthcare needs.
• Globally about 1 person in 8suffers from a mental health disorder, with depression and anxiety being the most prevalent. The highest rates of mental disorder occur in the most affluent and the poorest countries.

The church can do harm

Church or religioujs trauma is an identified psychological condition. It has many causes:

• strong teachings about hell and judgment;
• sexual abuse;
• unhelpful treatment of LGBTQI people;
• patriarchy;
• excessive discipline;
• controlling behaviour by leaders;
• far right politics, especially white supremacy and Christian nationalism;
• doubts and faith deconstruction.

Religious trauma can cause psychological damage, relationship problems, panic attacks and nightmares, loss of social relationships and loneliness, and loss of faith.

Sadly, some churches blame and attack any complainants (a tactic named DARVO = Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender), which often exacerbates the trauma. There are far better ways to respond.

Better still, churches can set up positive programs to reduce the likelihood of people being traumatised in the first place.

The church can help ….

…. Just by existing

Studies show that, on average, people who attend church regularly have slightly better mental health than than those who don’t. They are less likely to be depressed or commit suicide, or have destructive behaviours such as addictions or violence. And possibly less likely to have psychotic disorders. They tend to be healthier, live longer and have slightly better life satisfaction.

Attending services is more important than religious belief in improving mental health. It seems that greater social connectedness is one of several reasons for these outcomes, especially with older people. Loneliness is recognised as a significant problem for many older people in particular.

Churches that want to assist people find meaning and achieve wellbeing, including better mental health, could ensure their programs improve social relationships by helping in the following ways.

Frequent quality social interactions

These can include regular attendance at services and in small groups, participation in informal social gatherings (e.g. after services) and volunteering. Ensuring all activities are welcoming and inclusive and making it easy and attractive for people to volunteer will assist.

Sense of belonging

People are more likely to feel they belong if they take on leadership roles, serve in practical ways and make good friends. Long term members can be encouraged and trained to look out for newcomers and welcome them.

These things don’t just happen

Teaching, encouraging and creating opportunities for interaction and volunteering should be seen as critically important parts of church life and leadership. As well as improving social connectedness, they will improve the church’s mission.

…. Churches that heal

Churches can organise and equip themselves to recognise and address mental health issues in attendees.

The Churches that heal program, developed by clinical psychologist Dr Henry Cloud, aims to help the church become a place hurting people run to, not away from.

The program is “a comprehensive digital toolkit designed to equip pastors and churches to handle issues of mental and emotional health in their communities”. It includes videos, workbooks, leadership guides and live webinars that can be used by individual leaders or in church training days.

The program is also designed to be used by staff to assist pastors in “areas of stress and addiction and depression, anxiety, overcoming past wounds, relational struggles, extended family issues”.

I haven’t participated in the program, nor do I know if there are other similar programs out there, so I can’t actively recommend it.

But I feel strongly that it is the sort of thing that churches and pastors need as they minister in a world where mental health disorders are on the increase.

What is the good news?

Many people raised as Protestants, as I was, have been taught that the “gospel” is all about sin and salvation, and anything else is secondary.

But Jesus said he came “to set the oppressed free” (Luke 4:18) and that we “may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). This sounds like good news to me!

Part of the church’s task is to show the kingdom of God on earth, show how following Jesus makes a difference that is life affirming.

Part of winning over sceptical non-believers is surely to avoid traumatising people and to actively participate in helping them to flourish – and that includes their mental health.

Photo by Caleb Oquendo.

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