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?
If your church is already supporting people who struggle with mental health we would love to hear what you are doing.
If you are struggling with a mental health concern, please contact one of the services listed in the “Where do I find help?” section.
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.
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
Community support for people experiencing mental illness
Information about Mental Health
To find services near you
To find services near you
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. Ken Foo, Director of Church Life and Leadership, 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. Ken would be happy to help connect you to a spiritual director.
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