Mental Health Friendly Churches: Development and Implementation of Effective Mental Health Ministries

Summary

Research shows that one in four individuals seeking help for mental health concerns turn to faith leaders before seeking help from a mental health professional. Religion and spirituality often play a vital role in the healing process. However, in order to maximize the Church’s healing potential, Churches must strive to become actual sanctuaries, truly safe harbors for hurting persons and relationships. Tragically, many people shy away from the potential healing ministry of the Church due to fears of being judged, criticized, and rejected if they are vulnerable to sharing their pain, addiction, or issues. Mental Health Friendly Churches: Development and Implementation of Effective Mental Health Ministries is a comprehensive “toolbox” designed to help Church leaders build a team of trained volunteers to implement specialized mental health-related ministries to hurting people and relationships in a practical way.

Learning Objectives 

Participants will... 

1. Identify the mental and behavioral health needs of their church and community
2. Assess the church’s mission and role in addressing the mental health crisis
3. Develop strategies and best practices to implement ministries to address specific mental and behavioral health needs 

Course Lessons and Topics 

MHCM 201: Your Role in Mental Health Care and the Church’s Mission 
Matt Stanford, Ph.D. 
Our nation is experiencing a dangerous imbalance. More than one-third of U.S. citizens live in an area lacking mental health professionals, and experts estimate there will be a shortage of more than 15,000 providers by 2025. There simply are not enough providers to meet the demand.  This is where Churches can implement peer-led models that are scalable, affordable, and effective. Because peers are embedded in the Churches and communities they serve, they can reach and assist at-risk individuals with enhanced empathy and impact. 

MHCM 202: Mental Health Ministry for Stress and Anxiety 
Joshua Knabb, Psy.D. 
Stress and anxiety are biological reactions that are the body’s way of telling us something isn’t right. But often, stress and anxiety can become overwhelming and persistent. When it begins to interfere with regular daily activities or even makes them impossible, it may be an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in the U.S. In this lesson, you will learn how the Church can be a catalyst for helping those struggling with stress and anxiety. 

MHCM 203: Mental Health Ministry for Depression 
Karl Benzio, M.D. 
Sadness, grief, and even passing feelings of hopelessness or despair are part of the human experience. Most people will experience these feelings occasionally, but they will generally improve within a few days or as the situation changes. While friends and family can provide support, they often don't have the same level of understanding as others who have been through the same experiences. In this lesson, you will learn how the Church can support those with depression by providing ongoing social contact with others in the same position, opportunities to share struggles, and work through solutions. 

MHCM 204: Mental Health Ministry for Grief and Loss 
Jennifer Cisney Ellers, M.A., and Kevin Ellers, D.Min. 
Grief is a normal response to loss during or after a disaster, traumatic event, or loss of life. The grief process can come in relentless waves filled with various, intense emotions, but no one should be left to suffer alone. Churches should be equipped with the necessary tools to help serve, support, and encourage those who are struggling. This lesson will share the dos and don’ts of supporting those experiencing grief and loss and the resources available to Churches. 

MHCM 205: Mental Health Ministry for Wellness 
Greg Jantz, Ph.D. 
As a first line of defense against mental health issues, the Church can and should be more proactive in promoting its congregation's physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. This starts by educating church leaders about mental health, making sure they understand that mental health conditions are just as real (and common) as physical health conditions and that it is likely that several families in the congregation are or will experience mental health challenges. This lesson will provide you with practical tools to start a wellness-based Church ministry to support the whole person. 

MHCM 206: Mental Health Ministry for Life Recovery 
John Eklund, M.S.W. 
We all have struggles in life: struggles with addictions, food, depression, anxiety, and relationships, to name a few. However, there are numerous different approaches to recovery. In this lesson, you will learn about the time-tested process of the 12 steps combined with ageless Biblical principles to help others experience life change, enrich their recovery, and bring them closer to the heart of God. 

MHCM 207: Mental Health Ministry for Addiction and Recovery 
Jim Cress, M.A. 
For years, the Church has provided help to those struggling with drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health issues. Research has shown that faith can be a protective factor in recovery, and social support can positively impact the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders. In this lesson, you will learn how to provide a safe home for those recovering from substance use disorder to grow as individuals and as a part of a recovery community. 

MHCM 208: Mental Health Ministry for Serious Mental Illness 
Michael Lyles, M.D. 
Research tells us that when most people suffer from a mental health crisis, the first person they turn to for help is not a physician, a psychiatrist, or a social worker but a pastor, a priest, or a minister. This lesson will address how churches can provide triage-level support for those struggling with serious mental illness and not let them fall through the gaps. 

MHCM 209: Mental Health Ministry for Pornography and Sexual Addiction 
John Thomas, Ph.D., Ph.D. 
Pornography and sexual addiction are silent struggles that plague those in the pews. Regularly thought just to be an issue for men, women are not immune to pornography or sexual addiction. As isolation and secrecy are common for those with this struggle, this lesson will teach you how to create a safe space and develop a ministry to help men and women find freedom from pornography and sexual addiction. 

MHCM 210: Mental Health Ministry for Sexual Abuse and Violence 
Jennifer Ellers, M.A. 
Based on reported cases, every 68 seconds, someone in America is sexually assaulted, and every 9 minutes that someone is a child. There are over 42 million adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse in America. It’s not always easy to know what to say when someone tells you they’ve been sexually assaulted. For survivors, disclosing to someone they care about can be very difficult. This lesson will address how churches can support and help those who have experienced sexual abuse and violence. 

MHCM 211: Mental Health Ministry for Trauma Recovery 
Heather Gingrich, Ph.D. 
Trauma is generally defined as an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, or natural disaster. Research shows that about 6 of every 10 men and 5 of every 10 women experience at least one trauma in their lives. Trauma raises questions about who God is; his character, his faithfulness, his purposes, and his capacity to keep us. In this lesson, you will learn how trauma affects individuals and communities, how to provide a first response to those who have experienced trauma, and how to help in the recovery process. 

MHCM 212: Mental Health Ministry for Family Trauma and Dysfunction 
Mark Mayfield Ph.D. 
When a family member is experiencing a mental or substance use disorder, it can affect more than just the person in need of recovery. Evidence has shown that some people have a genetic predisposition for developing mental and substance use disorders and may be at greater risk based on environmental factors. This lesson will address how to adequately care for families who have been affected by a family member’s mental health problems or history of substance use. 

MHCM 213: Mental Health Ministry for Marriages 
Sharon May, Ph.D. 
On any given weekend, countless couples file into churches across the country, looking their “Sunday best” and quietly keeping a marriage problem to themselves. The stigma of counseling may be keeping them from seeking help, or they may feel alone and assume nobody else would understand. Their marriages are hurting because of mental health issues, and nobody has recognized the signals for help. In this lesson, you will learn how to provide a ministry for couples to be mentored by those who are more seasoned and have experienced similar life events and circumstances. 

MHCM 214: Mental Health Ministry for Divorce and Blended Families  
Ron Deal, M.MFT. 
Divorce and blended family ministry is a tremendous opportunity for churches across America and throughout the world, but it must begin with a willingness to re-tool yourself and expand your understanding of complex family systems. Clearly, the relational and spiritual issues of divorce and blended family members are opportunities for the church to touch people’s lives with the power of the Gospel. However, the church has been far behind in understanding the impact of divorce and blended families and how to help. This lesson will discuss how Churches can be proactive in supporting families who have experienced divorce or navigating blending a family together. 

MHCM 215: Mental Health Ministry for Children and Adolescents  
Chap Clark, Ph.D. 
Our children and adolescents are facing a mental health crisis. 50% of mental illness begins by age 14, and families desperately need practical advice and pastoral care on these disorders and the thorny issues that often surround them. This lesson will address how to recognize the signs and symptoms of the leading mental health issues for children and adolescents, how to respond, and how to help families find the appropriate care they need. 

MHCM 216: Mental Health Ministry for Seniors: Aging and Dementia 
Kathie Erwin, Ph.D. 
Over 20% of adults aged 60 and over suffer from a mental or neurological disorder, and 6.6% of all disability among people over 60 years is attributed to mental and neurological disorders. This lesson will address the tough issues that seniors wrestle with today, and you will learn to confidently use the Bible when working with those who need direction, support, and encouragement. 

MHCM 217: Becoming a Mental Health Friendly Church and Community  
Matthew Stanford, Ph.D. 
The church is uniquely positioned to offer things our mental health system often lacks: hope, a holistic view of human nature, accessible care, and a supportive community. In this course, you’ve learned how to set up mental health ministries for some of the leading issues facing our Churches and communities today. In this lesson, we will conclude the course by discussing how you can truly become a mental health friendly Church and community. 

Continuing Education 

Target Audience: Mental Health Coaches, Pastors and Ministry Leaders 

This course includes 17 Continuing Education (CE) credits approved for counselors, life coaches, and crisis responders who are credentialed through the International Board of Christian Care (IBCC) or one of its affiliate boards: the Board of Christian Professional and Pastoral Counseling (BCPPC); the Board of Christian Life Coaching (BCLC); the Board of Mental Health Coaching (BMHC) and the Board of Christian Crisis and Trauma Response (BCCTR).