“You too blessed to be depressed.”
“Just pray it away.”
“You need more faith.”
These are some of the things said throughout the years in faith spaces regarding mental health. For decades, there has been a stigma regarding mental illness for Christians. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), as approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness in a given year, this means people of faith are part of the stats. But it doesn’t mean we lack faith or lessen God’s love for us. As we live in an imperfect world, that includes wrestling with various ailments.
This includes mental health. If you had a heart problem you’d get help, despite your faith. So why would it be different regarding mental health?
Pastor Darron LaMonte Edwards of United Believers Community Church has been at the forefront of addressing mental health in the church. In fact, this Sunday, May 19, his church along with Pastor Ron Lindsay of Concord Fortress of Hope will host dual mental health events to start the conversation about how people of faith can do more than pray. Listen in for more.