What is Christian Mental Health
Christian Mental Health addresses the importance of Christian culture regarding mental health. First, mental health is the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive well-being of an individual based on biology, neurology, environment, social interactions, and more. Mental illness occurs when there is a disruption to the emotions, behaviors, or thoughts of an individual that leads to challenges in day-to-day functioning.
As Christians, many of us have heard sermons or other teaching saying “you can’t worry and pray at the same time” or “cast your burdens onto God.” Sometimes, these sayings are helpful reminders that God is an ever-present help in times of trouble. However, these messages can also suggest that we should not use the resources God provides here on earth.
So the idea of mental health specifically for Christians, also known as Christian Mental Health, indicates that there is a need to present mental health information in a culturally nuanced way.
How to Differentiate Spiritual Health and Mental Health
The difference between spiritual and mental health is a key concept for Christians to learn. We must understand when a challenge we face is spiritual, mental, or both.
My YouTube channel offers several videos to help you understand these concepts. You can check out this video below.
3 Ways to Improve Christian Mental Health in Church Communities
1. Talk About Mental Health
Part of the reason stigma remains surrounding the topic of mental health in the church is that we don’t talk about it enough. There are more and more preachers talking about mental health these days, but it’s a topic that tends to be tip-toed around. In speaking with preachers, I have learned that many preachers feel uncomfortable telling their church members how to get mental health help because they don’t know much about it.
2. Learn About Mental Health
We can’t talk about what we don’t know about. Most pastors are trained in building the spiritual health of the flock. Curriculum about mental health is still not commonplace in seminaries around the country. And not all pastors and preachers go to seminary. Thus, the next step to improve mental health in the church is for the church to take time to learn about mental health.
Many national websites like the National Alliance of Mental Illness offer short, easy-to-read articles about mental health. The Christian Mental Health Initiative is another source to learn about Christian Mental Health. I’ll talk about this program in the section below. Another great source for Christian Mental Health education is my YouTube channel! There are videos about depression, mania, psychosis, spiritual health, and so much more!
3. Connect with Mental Health Providers
Once you learn about mental health, church members may be more likely to connect with mental health providers. There are many types of mental health providers such as therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. You can learn more about the difference between these providers and how they can help you by watching the brief video below.
Christian Mental Health Initiative
Since the spring of 2020, I have worked in Christian communities around the US and the Caribbean to improve Christian Mental Health. Through educational workshops and presentations, I engage with church communities to help Christians understand the differences and similarities between spiritual and mental health. I do this work through the Christian Mental Health Initiative (CMHI).
CMHI is a program to help improve mental health literacy and resource utilization of Christians worldwide. As a team, we want Christians to understand how mental health and mental illness may impact their lives. CMHI also hopes to provide information about access to mental health resources like therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists.
Presently, the program aims to connect Black Christians in Philadelphia with Mental Health First Aid training. Over time, this program will grow to be a resource library of Christian Mental Health resources around the world.
You can learn more about CMHI by visiting www.christianmentalhealthinitiative.org.
Dr. Atasha Jordan is an Ivy League-trained psychiatry resident and businesswoman. Learn more about Dr. Jordan here. Feel free to say hello and subscribe to the newsletter for updates!
