How Churches Can Better Support Mental Illness Care

Author: Gina Adams
Published: 12 May 2014 - Updated: 17 Sep 2026
Publication Type: Opinion Piece, Editorial

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This article presents insights from Kristi Lemley, an ordained minister and trained counselor, emphasizing the necessity for churches to actively address mental illness within their congregations. Lemley challenges the prevalent "pray it away" mentality, advocating for a holistic approach that combines spiritual support with professional medical treatment. She highlights alarming statistics, such as over 81 million Americans experiencing mental disorders annually and suicide being the second leading cause of death among youth aged 10 to 24. Notably, 70% of church pastors reportedly struggle with depression, underscoring the issue's pervasiveness.

Lemley recommends that churches reduce stigma by openly discussing mental health, provide resources like support groups and lists of Christian counselors, and foster an environment where individuals feel welcomed and supported in seeking comprehensive care. This information is particularly valuable for individuals with disabilities, seniors, and the broader faith community, offering practical strategies to create inclusive and supportive church environments.*

At a Glance

• 1 - According to the Schaeffer Institute, 70 percent of church pastors constantly fight depression. Christians are not immune to the effects of mental illness.
• 2 - Kristi Lemley is an ordained minister and trained counselor with degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology and a Master's in Social Work. She founded Living in the Light Ministries, an international ministry focused on daily life struggles and healing from past hurts.
• 3 - The National Institute of Mental Health reports that mental illness ranks first among illnesses that result in disability in the United States. Depression was projected to become the leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide by 2020.
• 4 - Lemley recommends three steps: reduce stigma, keep a ready list of local counselors and treatment resources, and make congregations genuinely welcoming. She argues churches should treat mental illness the same way they would treat cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.

Topic Definition

Faith and Mental Health

Faith and mental health describes the relationship between a person's religious or spiritual life and their psychological well-being, and how communities of faith respond to members living with mental health conditions. For a long stretch, some congregations leaned on a "pray it away" approach that treated emotional and psychiatric struggles as failures of belief, but a growing number of ministers and counselors now argue for something broader. The idea is not to set prayer against medicine but to hold them together, recognizing that spiritual support, professional counseling, medication, and medical care can all be part of one person's recovery. At its heart, the concept asks faith communities to treat conditions like depression or anxiety with the same compassion and practicality they would bring to a physical illness, offering resources, reducing stigma, and making room for people to seek help without shame.

Overview

Mental Illness: Churches Are in the Dark

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and author, minister, and counselor Kristi Lemley has some advice for churches and Christian leaders - deal with it. Mental illness has often fallen into the "pray it away" philosophy for certain sects of the Christian faith, but Lemley says it is time for the Church to realize mental illness is real and it is not getting better or going away.

"God can heal and deliver any person from mental illness," says Lemley, who, along with being an ordained minister, is a trained counselor with degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology along with a Master's in Social Work. "However, to think that God heals and delivers in only one way is misleading."

"I have prayed with a person who experienced panic attacks and she was delivered immediately. I have also prayed with a person who was suicidal and she had to go to the hospital to remain safe. Through hospitalization, correct medication, counseling, and prayer she has recovered from depression. Prayer and reading God's word is crucial to mental illness, but treatment can consist of other interventions. God has given wisdom for medication and gives wisdom to people for counseling. It is imperative to be open to how God wants to provide for each person and encourage that person to walk that path with God."

Over 81 million Americans experience some form of mental disorder each year, and 46% will experience it in their lifetimes, according to the National Household Survey of Drug Abuse. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death in youth aged 10 to 24. More teenagers die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease combined. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Mental illness is also taking a toll on the economy.

The National Institute of Mental Health says that mental illness in the U.S. ranks first among illnesses that result in disability. By 2020, depression is projected to be the leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide. Christians are not immune to the effects of mental illness. In fact, according to the Schaeffer Institute, 70 percent of church pastors constantly fight depression.

Disabled God: Disability Ethics Research Paper - Disability Ethics research paper regarding well being of persons with disability for moral theologians and ethicists. The Church by its nature should be in the forefront in showing positive attitudes towards disability. Unfortunately very few churches are accessible to people with disabilities.

How Should the Church Respond to These Statistics?

Lemley says there are three important things churches need to do.

First, reducing the stigma associated with mental illness within the church is integral.

"The church should be offering appropriate care and compassion for people with mental illness," says Lemley. "This can take the form of offering support groups, talking about it more in sermons or church literature, educating pastors about mental illness, and offering youth group or church-wide presentations to educate their congregations."

Lemley also suggests that churches have a ready-made list of local treatment resources, psychologists and counselors for people who are suffering from mental disorders.

"There are many Christian providers available so the church can have confidence that God will always be at the center of the treatment," Lemley asserts. "This list should be readily available for anyone, not just people who meet with a pastor. This should be available for anyone who walks through the doors of a church, members or visitors alike."

Lastly, Lemley says the church needs to be welcoming to those who struggle with mental illness.

"At times, people struggling with mental issues have been made to feel that their faith is lacking and if they just believed more they would be healed. The majority of Christians would not tell someone suffering from cancer to just pray about it and not follow up with treatment. Since mental illness is a disease, Christian churches should take the same approach that we would with cancer, diabetes, or heart issues."

Broken and Transformed: Moving Beyond Life's Difficult Times

Lemley's new book and group study entitled Broken and Transformed: Moving Beyond Life's Difficult Times, is a culmination of her personal journey through her own pain to find the freedom that Christ offers everyone, regardless of their circumstances. Drawing on her training and education, as well as her own experience of being sexually abused as a child, Lemley lays out both practical and spiritual applications that can help people deal with any tragedy or circumstance.

"People can improve with psychological counseling, but cannot be truly healed," says Lemley. "Jesus said the truth will set us free, and He is truth. There are many things in the world that are not fair and not right, and without the perspective of understanding that God is sovereign, people can only progress so far."

In addition to her counseling practice and speaking engagements, Kristi Lemley is founder of Living in the Light Ministries, an international ministry focused on helping people deal with daily life struggles, and heal from their past hurts by experiencing the freedom and truth of the Gospel. Lemley served as host of a radio show called "Living in the Light" on KJSL radio station in St. Louis, where she helped hundreds of people on a daily basis sort through the difficulties they faced. Lemley also served as a guest host for the popular "Talk from the Heart" radio show hosted by Dr. Debra Peppers on the same station.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

When is Mental Health Awareness Month observed

Mental Health Awareness Month is observed each year in May, a period many churches and organizations use to open conversations about mental health and available support.

What is the pray it away approach to mental illness

The pray it away approach is the belief that mental illness can be resolved through prayer and faith alone, an idea that many ministers now caution against because it can discourage people from seeking needed medical and psychological treatment.

How can a church start a mental health support group

A church can begin by identifying trained facilitators, partnering with local mental health professionals, setting clear confidentiality guidelines, and providing a consistent meeting space where members feel safe to share.

What should someone do if a friend at church talks about suicide

Take the person seriously, stay with them, listen without judgment, and help connect them to emergency services or a crisis line and professional care rather than relying on prayer alone.

Are there mental health resources designed for Christians

Yes, there are Christian counselors, faith-based therapy practices, and ministries that integrate professional mental health care with spiritual support so that treatment can align with a person's beliefs.

Can prayer and professional treatment be used together

Many faith leaders and clinicians view prayer and professional treatment as complementary, encouraging people to combine spiritual practices with counseling, medication, and medical care as needed.

How can pastors care for their own mental health

Pastors can protect their well-being by seeking their own counseling, building peer support networks, setting boundaries around workload, taking regular rest, and treating their mental health as seriously as their ministry duties.

How can congregations reduce mental health stigma

Congregations can reduce stigma by discussing mental health openly in sermons and literature, educating members, sharing personal stories, and treating mental illness with the same compassion offered for physical conditions.

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Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: The intersection of faith and mental health care is crucial in today's society. By acknowledging mental illness as a multifaceted issue requiring both spiritual and medical interventions, churches can play a pivotal role in supporting their members. Embracing this dual approach not only aligns with compassionate Christian values but also addresses the pressing needs of congregants, including those with disabilities and seniors, fostering a more inclusive and understanding community. This article serves as a timely call for churches to recognize the reality of mental illness and to respond with both spiritual and practical support. By adopting a holistic approach that values medical treatment alongside faith, churches can become places of genuine healing and acceptance for all, especially those who have too often felt isolated or misunderstood within religious communities.*

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.