Mental Health Stigma in the Church: A Call to Action
It’s time to get real, church. The silence, the shame, the judgment surrounding mental health in our faith communities has gone on long enough. We cannot, in good conscience, keep turning a blind eye to the suffering that is happening right under our noses. Too many of us, in our congregations and families, are quietly battling mental illness, struggling to cope with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other conditions—feeling like we must suffer in silence because we fear judgment or worse, condemnation.
The truth is, mental health challenges are not a reflection of our faith, our worth, or our relationship with God. Yet, for far too long, we’ve allowed the lie to persist that mental illness is a sign of weak faith or, even worse, punishment for sin. This has to stop. It's time we stop allowing this stigma to push our brothers and sisters further into isolation, shame, and despair.
This Is a Battle We Must Fight
As a therapist and as someone who loves the Church deeply, I am sickened by the way so many Christians have been conditioned to view mental health. We’ve weaponized Bible verses, misinterpreted Scripture, and misused faith to minimize real human pain. And let's be clear: mental illness is real. Just like any other illness, it doesn’t make you less of a person or less loved by God. It’s time we acknowledge that our faith is meant to be a source of healing and support—not a reason to suffer in silence.
The Problem: Stigma Rooted in Misunderstanding
Some might argue that if you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, your faith isn’t strong enough. They may point to verses like Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God," and say that this means mental illness is a choice. But let me make one thing abundantly clear: mental illness is not a choice. It is an illness—just like cancer, diabetes, or any other medical condition. And it requires treatment, care, and support.
The Bible Doesn't Ignore Our Struggles
If we look deeper into the Scriptures, we’ll see that God does not expect us to be perfect or to carry our burdens alone. Jesus himself knew the weight of human suffering. He was "a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3). He did not shy away from pain; He entered into it. And in doing so, He demonstrated that there is no shame in facing hardship, in suffering, in feeling weak.
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
This is not just for the physical weary—it’s for the weary in spirit, in mind, in emotions. God is a God of healing. He doesn’t turn His back on us when we struggle; He invites us to bring our brokenness to Him. If we believe this, why on earth would we let the Church become a place that makes people feel like they have to hide their pain or deny their mental health struggles?
We Are All Part of the Body of Christ
The church is meant to be a place of healing, hope, and refuge. When one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers (1 Corinthians 12:26). So why, then, are we letting the body of Christ be divided by the stigma of mental illness? Why are we allowing our brothers and sisters to suffer in silence rather than being the hands and feet of Jesus to help heal and restore them?
The Church’s Role in Healing
The church should be the first place that supports individuals in their mental health struggles, not the last place they feel safe to seek help. It’s time to confront the uncomfortable truth: ignoring mental health is not spiritual maturity. The Bible teaches us to love one another, to bear each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), and to encourage each other through trials. Mental health care is part of that. It’s about holistic healing—spiritual, emotional, and physical.
If the Church wants to be the light of the world, we need to start reflecting that light on those who are suffering with mental illness. We need to stop treating it as something to be ashamed of or hidden. We need to be open, compassionate, and willing to walk alongside those who are struggling.
What Can We Do?
The first step is simple: we have to talk about it. We need to create space for open conversations about mental health. We need to educate ourselves and our communities. We need to normalize seeking help from mental health professionals. There is no shame in therapy, counseling, or medication when they are needed. They are tools God has provided for healing—just as He provides doctors and medicine for physical ailments.
We need to actively challenge the stigmas that still linger in our faith communities. We need to be vigilant against messages that suggest mental illness is something to be ashamed of, something that reflects poorly on one’s faith. It’s time to radically shift the narrative to one that embraces the full complexity of the human experience—the beauty and the brokenness—and offers healing through both spiritual and professional care.
Final Thought: A Challenge to the Church
I am challenging the Church today: Will we continue to let shame and stigma keep our hurting brothers and sisters silent? Or will we rise up as a community of healing and hope, embracing all the parts of the body, including those that are struggling with mental health?
Mental health is not a sign of weak faith. It is an opportunity for us to step into the brokenness, to show love, and to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those who need it most. Let’s be the church that supports, heals, and empowers. Let’s start today.
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3).
Let us be His hands, His heart, and His voice in a world that desperately needs healing.