Mental Health

In Their Own Words: Church Support and Mental Illness

In Their Own Words: Church Support and Mental Illness

Shortly before Dr. Grcevich’s book Mental Health and the Church was published, we asked our readers to share their experiences, both good and bad, about mental health needs and church support. We continue to get responses, and want to share a few that we have received since we made our initial request, for the insight that churches and ministries can glean from the experiences of others.

Why are suicide rates up 56% among youth in this past decade?

Why are suicide rates up 56% among youth in this past decade?

Dr. Grcevich shares several hypotheses about contributing factors to the rapidly increasing rates of suicide in older children and teens.

Five Stages of Spiritual Growth in Mental Illness

Five Stages of Spiritual Growth in Mental Illness

I’d never wish the darkness of mental illness on anyone, but if it wasn’t for anorexia, bulimia, anxiety and depression, I don’t know if I would be a Christian today. There seems to be a pattern common to many Christ-followers who also live with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc. Here’s how I now characterize the five stages in my relationship with Christ, and the spiritual growth He worked through each stage to the next.

Roadblocks to Mental Health

Roadblocks to Mental Health

We live in the world with a real enemy whose job is to sabotage and block our mental health. The enemy dispatches schemes and roadblocks that cloud God’s will for our lives. But walking in the truth thwarts roadblocks from the enemy.

Mental Illness Doesn't Kill, Sin Kills

Mental Illness Doesn't Kill, Sin Kills

This summer in the United States, we have seen an uptick in violence. Within this wave of crisis, we have seen many people want to identify why we are having problems. Important research results have recenlty come out which further support the need for mental health awareness around violence, as well as not shifting the blame to those who are different and therefore must be the problem.

When Your Emotional Tank Is Empty

When Your Emotional Tank Is Empty

I felt ashamed. There was so much to do last night, and there was no time to waste. I didn’t have time to run out of gas. What was wrong with me? Why couldn’t I keep going? Then the epiphany: there is nothing wrong with a car that runs out of gas. The problem is being out of gas.

Your Church Doesn't Need An Expert To Start A Special Needs Ministry

Your Church Doesn't Need An Expert To Start A Special Needs Ministry

When it comes to special needs ministry, what if God isn’t waiting for us to have all of the answers, but God is waiting on us to simply accept the assignment of loving our neighbors as ourselves?