Faith Leader Resources
Ministering for Mental Health
People living with depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health issues often turn first to their faith leaders for help. Yet many faith leaders feel they lack sufficient background knowledge, training, and resources in the field of mental health.
Look here for information and resources that can help equip you to meet some of the mental health needs of those in your congregation or community who look to you for guidance, comfort and support.
What to know
Suicide Prevention: Three Approaches for Engaging Faith Communities
Practical approaches for the church to help prevent suicides
Saddleback’s Kay Warren: Church is ‘Vital’ to Combatting Mental Health Crisis
Learn how the church plays a vital role caring for those with mental illness
Seven Ways to Implement a Mental Health Ministry Plan in Your Church
Ways that churches can help break the stigma of mental illness
Mental Health and the Church: Seeking the Whole Story
Discovering the Church's unique opportunity to walk alongside people in their mental and emotional struggles
A church invests in mental health in response to parishioners' suffering
Considerations for congregations as they contemplate starting a mental health ministry
5 Ways To Actually Create A Healing Space For Mental Health In The Church
This article explores 5 practical ways the Church can be a better place of support for those living with the experience of a mental diagnosis.
Why churches matter in the fight against addiction
We are battling a national illness that has no simple remedy. Church planting is one key to attacking the problem of addiction.
Where to go
COVID-19 MENTAL HEALTH HANDBOOK
This handbook covers topics relating to COVID-19 and mental health.
Mental Health Ministry Toolkits, Handbooks & Guidebooks
Discover a compilation of FREE toolkits and other resources for planning and implementing a mental health ministry.
Mental Health Ministry Organizations
Click here for a list of national resources to assist you in developing a mental health ministry focus.
What to say
How Pastors Can Love Their Church Through Mental Health Difficulties
5 ways churches can support individuals recently diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or other mental health condition.
How the church can be a community to those with depression
Be courageous enough to talk about depression...
Giving mental health awareness the right place in the church
How is the church supporting the mental health of its congregations?
Families impacted by depression…How can the church help?
How can churches help families impacted by depression to experience the love of Christ?
After a Suicide: Recommendations for Religious Services and Other Public Memorial Observances
A brief guide for faith community leaders and other community leaders that provides background information, suggests ways to care for and support survivors, and offers recommendations for planning a memorial observance.
Responding to a Member Who May Be at Risk for Suicide
Key steps to take to help someone who may be at risk for suicide
5 Steps to Create a Mental Health Ministry
The church must take a holistic approach to how we serve our members.
4 ways my pastor counseled me through drug addiction
I was addicted to drugs at 18 years old. I started developing an addiction at 14 and had a daily habit by 15.
What to know
7 Reasons Young People with Depression and Anxiety Don't Go to Church
What are the barriers keeping teens with common mental health conditions from connecting at church?
Health during the pandemic
Practical advice on caring for self and others during the pandemic
Anxiety and Spiritual Development
Learn signs of anxiety in children and how to address it
Suicide Prevention Competencies for Faith Leaders: Supporting Life Before, During, and After a Suicidal Crisis
This new resource, informed by faith community leaders and suicide prevention experts, aims to help equip faith leaders with the capabilities needed to prevent suicide and provide care and comfort for those affected by suicide.
Q&A with a Therapist about Teen Depression
Mental Health Counselor Kathy Wyant provides information for parents, youth workers, and others about teens and depression.
Youth Mental Health Disorders
Understanding youth mental health will help prepare you to extend care to a teen who is struggling
Congregations Help Every Young Person Discover a Resilient Identity in Christ
Like a tree deeply rooted, youth who understand their Baptismal faith have a strong base from which to grow as Lutheran Chri...
Where to go
Unstuck: A Teen Guide to Living in Uncertain Times
Help for teens as they navigate the pandemic
Peace, Be Still: A Family Guide to Living in Crazy Days
A Bible-based resource for parents and children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What to say
Words from a Youth Pastor for Students on their Mental Health Journey
Helping youth develop a strong identity in Christ as they manage a mental health struggle.
Help! My Teen Is Struggling With Anxiety
A God-centered approach for long-term recovery for teens dealing with anxiety issues
Responding to a Member Who May Be at Risk for Suicide
Key steps to take to help someone who may be at risk for suicide
Let’s Talk: Alcohol Use & Abuse Youth Study
Are your youth involved with alcohol? In this study, you will explore the problem of alcohol abuse among teenagers. Youth will gain understanding for the reasons that people may begin to use or abuse alcohol and will seek alternative sources of support.
What’s a Person to Do? Helping Youth with Drug/Alcohol Addictions
It's your worst nightmare as a church youth professional - students using substances at a church event. What do you do?
What to Do When Your Child Has Thoughts of Suicide
Suicide is not something anyone wants to think about, let alone talk about. I have spoken often with despondent parents whose worst nightmare has become reality—their child has expressed thoughts of suicide.
Coronavirus and Teenagers
This global crisis will likely be the defining event for today’s youth. Find statistics and approaches to help them.
4 ways my pastor counseled me through drug addiction
I was addicted to drugs at 18 years old. I started developing an addiction at 14 and had a daily habit by 15.
How to Help Youth Cope after a Suicide
http://www.youthesource.com/20...Pastors and youth leaders, click here for tips to help youth cope after a suicide. ...
Youth Bible Study: Light in the Darkness
Depression, like other illnesses, was not part of God’s original plan. Instead it is the result of sin entering the world th...
What to know
For Pastors Struggling with a Mental Health Issue
Ways for pastors to overcome mental health barriers
Resilient Church Leaders: Clinical Thoughts
This article helps leaders reflect upon personal mental health and professional limits to care for parishioners with mental health needs.
Self-Compassion Will Make You a Better Leader
To move to clarity and action, leaders need self-compassion.
Recognizing and Preventing Burnout in Yourself
Guidance for recognizing when you are at risk of burning out
Twelve Ways Pastors Went from Burnout to Vision
There are few vocations that can engender burnout like the pastorate. The demands on a pastor’s time, emotions, and energy can be overwhelming.
PODCAST: Self-Care for Ministry Leaders
Pastor Brad Hoefs pours out his heart about his struggles and personal journey with mental health and ministry.
PODCAST: The Anxiety That Is Unique to Church Leaders
Steven Cuss has a heart for ministry leaders and understands the pressures they experience when it comes to dealing with anxiety.
Threats to Church Worker Wellbeing 2
The final two of four major threats to church worker wellbeing
Threats to Churchworker Wellbeing 1
The first two of four major threats to church worker wellbeing
Where to go
The Model for Healthy Living for Clergy: Self-Assessment, Reflection, and Goals
A tool for clergy to assess wellness and find ways to support a healthy life while serving.
Self-Care for Ministry Leaders
Pastor Brad Hoefs pours his heart out about his own struggles with mental health and ministry
Care for the Caregiver: A Guide During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Help and support for caregivers during the pandemic
Finding Balance and Perspective in the Ministry
A Bible study to guide pastors through a biblical reflection on their ministerial well-being and show God's care for them
Preventing COVID-19 Compassion Fatigue & Burnout
FREE COURSE: Faith-Based and Research-Based Approaches to Building Resilience
Links to church worker self-care organizations
Find care and resources through these organizations.
What to say
What to know
“I’m a Pastor With Depression”
It is can be difficult to admit you have depression when you are a pastor. Here is one pastor's story.
Suicide Prevention Communication Aids: Flyers, bulletin inserts, posters and other graphical art
Downloadable resources to help communicate about the Faith.Hope.Life campaign.
Sermon Starters Shared by Christians and Jews
Scripture ideas with short commentaries about Biblical characters in their most discouraging times...
Where to go
Free Mental Health Bulletin Inserts
Bulletin Inserts on Mental Wellness from The Center for Faith and Community Health Transformation, Advocate Aurora Health
Preaching Hope in the Darkness: Help for Pastors in Addressing Suicide from the Pulpit
How can a preacher best address suicide from the pulpit?
Mental Health Toolkit from The Lutheran Foundation
Find a variety of resources to support your church's mental health ministry
What to say
A Mental Health Sermon, by Rev. Gabe Kasper
Being vulnerable to admit you have depression is difficult enough, but it is often more difficult when you are a pastor. Rev. Gabe Kasper, LCMS pastor in Ann Arbor, MI, shares his personal story of depression and offers a sermon on mental illness pointing us to the hope we have in Christ.
PREACHING ON MENTAL HEALTH
One pastor's venture into broaching the topic of mental health from the pulpit.
Christian Litanies Addressing the Issue of Suicide
This resource presents litanies directly addressing the issue of suicide and the desire to end or take one's life.
Mental Health Sermon #2: Mental Health and The Virus of Sin
Click here to download sermon....
Litanies and Prayers Relating to Suicide
Litanies, blessings and prayers for those contemplating suicide.
Grace for the Afflicted Discussion Guide
This study will help individuals and churches broaden their perspective about mental health, and use that perspective to help themselves and others.
Let’s Talk: Alcohol Use & Abuse Youth Study
Are your youth involved with alcohol? In this study, you will explore the problem of alcohol abuse among teenagers. Youth will gain understanding for the reasons that people may begin to use or abuse alcohol and will seek alternative sources of support.
Let’s Talk! Breaking the Silence around Mental Illness in Our Communities of Faith
Let this study be the beginning of opening up to one another in a safe environment about the issues that plague many people in our congregations.
Where to go
Mental Health Ministry Organizations
Click here for a list of national resources to assist you in developing a mental health ministry focus.