Dr Yehoto Swu Kiho
Today marks an important day. It is the World Mental Health Day. What better day than today to raise awareness and start a conversation about mental health and well-being?
Addictions, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, self-harm,ministry burnout, loneliness, hopelessness, marital discord, and grief are no longer the issues of other people; they are issues of our congregants. In fact, no one is immune to the mental or emotional struggle,including Christians, because it affects us in the same way that cancer, diabetes, or arthritis do.
That means real people with real issues are sitting in the pews of our churches looking for help, hope, and healing. As a faith-based therapist in private practice, I don’t need a statistic to know these things to be true.
The conversation around mental health gained momentum worldwide during the pandemic, and the global church is now beginning to recognize mental health problems as a top ministry priority.But sadly,mental health still remains highly unaddressed in most Naga churches. In fact, mental health remains a taboo topic. No wonder, the lack of conversation or attention to this crucial issue by the church has left individuals struggling with mental health concerns stigmatized, judged as spiritually lacking,or feeling completely unsupported.
Silence is not an option. The church cannot afford to remain silent, as the impact of mental health is now too great for the church to ignore. However, the church’s apathy towards mental health crises might not be due to a lack of compassion but rather a lack of knowledge about how to help, as mental health is not a topic on which most church or ministry leaders get educated and equipped (ministry for mental health is not a course taught in most seminaries in Nagaland or India for that matter). In contrast, some ministry leaders might not be aware of how important the issue of mental health is to their congregation. Regardless of the reason, there needs to be a paradigm shift within the church to become more intentional about addressing this crucial issue.
With mental health issues being so rampant and the church’s response negligible, here are some pointers on how the church can start a conversation about mental health.
1. Raise Awareness
Emotional Care Sunday, Mental Health Sunday, Suicide Prevention and Awareness Sunday, or even a sermon series on mental health topics are examples of mental health awareness initiatives that churches can undertake. The church can also invite mental health professionals to speak or facilitate seminars on issues like depression, suicide, or addiction.
2. Break the Silence
The church should discuss emotional and mental health issues more openly. Otherwise, our silence hurts people by leaving them to struggle in isolation. The silence also covertly conveys a message that God is not unconcerned with their suffering, that church isn’t a safe place for those who experience mental health challenges, and that our faith has no answers for struggles like theirs. Additionally, by avoiding the topic of mental health,the messages of stigma and shame are reinforced.
3. Talk about it from the Pulpit
One notable way churches can de-stigmatize mental health and emotional struggle is by preaching from the pulpit in a clear and compassionate manner. When pastors openly discuss mental health issues in sermons, it reduces stigma, validates people's suffering, creates a safe space, and encourages congregants who need support to come forward to receive help. While it may be uncomfortable for ministry leaders, it’s desperately needed.
4. Get Equipped
According to research, the church is often the first place people go for help when dealing with mental health issues. Unfortunately, many church leaders lack the skills to offer the support people need, either directly or through appropriate referrals. Consider having pastoral staff trained in basic counseling skills as well as training in the art of referral and basic training about common mental disorders.
As mental health becomes a growing concern,having intentional conversations about mental health is the need of the hour. Let’s collectively pledge to begin this conversation sensitively as we commemorate World Mental Health Day today.It is only by breaking the silence surrounding mental health issues that we can truly be the inclusive community that God wants us to be. This is essential if we are to thrive as a church in the post-pandemic future. My challenge,therefore, to the Naga churches is that we move beyond the whispering, the silence, the shame, and the stigma and bring the church to the forefront of conversations about mental health and work together to address it.
The writer is Founder, Insight Hub
