Jesus is the hope and peace of the world.
It’s a wonderful truth to absorb, isn’t it? Yet, many people struggle with mental health issues that affect every aspect of their being—even their ability to experience the hope and peace of Jesus.
One in five people will experience a mental disorder at some point in their lives. While these illnesses of the brain can affect anyone, as people of faith, too often we have blamed people who suffer with mental illness for a lack of faith. Discussion around mental illness has been noticeably absent from most places of worship. We can easily pray for those experiencing a physical challenge, but those who are struggling with depression, anxiety or other mental illnesses remain invisible. So what can we do?
HOW YOU’RE HELPING
If your church is already supporting people who struggle with mental health we would love to hear what you are doing.
IN NEED OF HELP
If you are struggling with a mental health concern, please contact one of the services listed in the “Where do I find help?” section.
Mental Health Resources
The links below are provided to assist you in learning more about mental health, and include both Christian and secular sources. We believe that the expertise of both types of sources can be extremely helpful as you craft your church’s response. We also have links to blogs, podcasts, and articles produced by members of our CBOQ family who are not mental health professionals.
The organizations listed below are personal recommendations based on the experience of members of the Mental Health Working Group. However, CBOQ has not reviewed or assessed them and as such is sharing them for information purposes only. Please take the time to review the accreditation and competencies of each resource as required.
How do we become a safe church for talking about mental health?
- Mental Illness: 7 Practices for Ministering Well—Even if You’re Not A Mental Health Professional
- Deane Proctor, a CBOQ pastor shares his story on 100 Huntley Street, “Pastoring while combatting mental illness”
- Podcast: Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs – Guest Laura Turner speaks about general anxiety disorder and the stigma of taking medication in the church
- Seek to the Find Ministry
How do CBOQ churches help?
- Mental Health First Aid Canada
Ideas about starting a support group for people experiencing mental illness in a church - 16 Resources for Mental Health Ministry
- Bible studies on Mental Illness
Troubled Minds: Responding to Mental Illness - Illuminate
Created by CBOQ Youth Team
If you need help:
Where you can find help... in Ontario
If you are having a mental health crisis visit the Hospital emergency room. In a non-emergency make an appointment to talk to your doctor.
For non-emergency situations:
- Christian counselling and spiritual direction
- Shalem Mental Health Network
Offers a Congregational Assistance Program for churches who want to make counselling available to their membersThey are also able to provide counselling resource information for Ontario - Tyndale Counselling (Toronto area only)
- Tyndale Spiritual Directors
Provides a listing of Spiritual Directors Across Ontario
- Shalem Mental Health Network
- Community support for people experiencing mental illness
- Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario
The Ontario website has links to local offices across Ontario
- Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario
- Information about Mental Health
- To find services near you
Where you can find help... in Quebec
If you are having a mental health crisis visit the Hospital emergency room. In a non-emergency make an appointment to talk to your doctor.
For non-emergency situations:
- Mental health help and resources provided by the Government of Quebec
- Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS) and Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre (CIUSSS)
For CBOQ Pastors in need of help
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact your local emergency number.
Pastoring can be a lonely and stressful vocation which can put pastors at a higher risk of burnout and other mental health crisis. A recent article written for CBC news outlines the pressures that are on clergy and the risks that pressure creates. The article provides a helpful overview of why it is important for pastors to be mindful of their mental health.
If you are a CBOQ pastor and you are reading this because you are feeling overwhelmed in your role, please don’t walk through these days on your own. Marc Potvin, Pastoral Leaders Development Associate, is here to journey alongside you as you find the resources you need to address your challenges. CBOQ pastors also have access to an Employee Assistance Program through the benefit plan that enables you and/or your family to access counselling during difficult seasons. You can contact them at 1-800-387-4765 (English) or 1-800-361-5676 (French) or visit: www.workhealthlife.com. We also highly recommend that all pastors have a spiritual director to meet with monthly. Marc would be happy to help connect you to a spiritual director.
The CBOQ Mental Health Matters webpage was compiled by the Mental Health Working Group. For more information please contact Marc Potvin at mpotvin@baptist.ca or by phone at 416-620-2939.
