Who Christians Should Take More About Mental Health

Welcome to Hope for the Mind, where faith and mental health meet. I’m Kristin and Today, we’re diving into a topic that is deeply personal, one that the Church hasn’t always been comfortable discussing: mental health.

As someone who has walked both the road of faith and the journey of mental health struggles, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to reconcile the two. For years, I believed that if I just prayed hard enough, read enough Scripture, and had enough faith, my anxiety and depression would disappear. But the truth is, faith and mental health are not at odds with one another. In fact, understanding and addressing mental health can actually deepen our relationship with God.

So today, I want to have an open and honest conversation. Why do so many Christians struggle in silence? Why is mental health often overlooked in faith communities? And most importantly, how can we change that? Stick around because this is a conversation we desperately need to have.

My Story – Breaking the Silence

I want to start with a personal story. Several years ago, I found myself in one of the darkest seasons of my life. I was battling overwhelming anxiety, struggling to get out of bed in the morning, and feeling completely disconnected from my faith. I remember crying out to God, asking why I still felt this way when I was doing all the "right" things—praying, reading my Bible, attending church, raising my children right. But no matter how much I tried to suppress my struggles, they didn’t go away.

And yet, I was afraid to tell anyone. I didn’t want people to think I lacked faith. I didn’t want my church community to see me as weak. I didn’t want to talk to people and hear “You should just pray”. I was praying and yes I believed God was hearing and answering those prayers. I even had faith and knew that in the end everything would work out for my good but that didn’t mean that I didn’t still hurt in the mean time.  So, I suffered in silence, convincing myself that I just needed to be "stronger."

Maybe you’ve felt that way too. Maybe you’ve been told things like “Just pray more,” “Have more faith,” or “Give it to God” when you tried to talk about your struggles with anxiety or depression. And while prayer is powerful and faith is essential, they may not immediately eradicate the pain you feel. Just as we wouldn’t tell someone with a broken bone to “just pray about it” without seeking medical attention, we shouldn’t treat mental health any differently.

One of the biggest lies we believe as Christians is that struggling mentally makes us weak. But here’s the truth: acknowledging our mental health struggles is not a sign of weak faith—it’s a step toward healing.

I remember the moment I sat down and talked to my mom about the way I felt. I knew she wouldn’t judge me and I was right. I was met with love, understanding, and the reassurance that I wasn’t alone. She gave me the peace that even in our struggles and our pain, God is always there. She reassured me that it was okay to cry. It was okay to have feelings of frustration and sadness. It was okay to have feelings of defeat and overwhelm. As long as it never caused me to question Gods work in my life. That conversation changed everything for me. It reminded me that God often works through people—through family, friends, counselors, through pastors, and mentors. It was then that I realized I didn’t have to walk this journey alone, and neither do you.

Sadly, too many people have been hurt in church because of the lack of mental healthcare. Instead of finding support, they were met with judgment, told their struggles were a result of weak faith, or even accused of having unconfessed sin. This has driven many away from the church, leaving them to suffer in silence. The Church should be a place of healing, not harm.

Biblical Support for Mental Health Conversations

Let’s dive in a little more into what the Bible says about these things. As some of you might wonder: Is talking about mental health even biblical? The answer is absolutely YES.

Throughout scripture, we see figures like David, Elijah, Job, and even Jesus experiencing deep emotional distress.

• David often wrote about his struggles with despair. In Psalm 42:11, he asks, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Basically asking God why is my soul so disturbed?

• Elijah had just performed miracles and seen God’s power, yet he fell into deep despair and told God he wanted to die (1 Kings 19:4), which says, “But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” Instead of rebuking him, God met him with comfort and rest.

• Job is often seen as a symbol of unwavering faith, but that does not mean he didn’t experience deep grief and sorrow. After losing everything—his children, his wealth, and his health—Job lamented his suffering. He said, “Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?” He was brokenhearted, and yet he never turned his back on God. His story reminds us that it is possible to experience immense sadness while still trusting in the Lord.

• Jesus Himself experienced overwhelming sorrow. In Matthew 26:38, which says, “Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.” If Jesus experienced emotional distress, why should we think we are exempt?

These examples remind us that struggling emotionally does not mean we lack faith. In fact, God doesn’t condemn us for our struggles—He meets us in them.

And He has given us resources to help us heal. I fully believe God gave us the ability to gain knowledge so that we could care for our families, serve others, and grow in wisdom. This includes the knowledge He has allowed us to develop in areas like medicine, science, and psychology. Just as we use medical knowledge to treat physical illnesses, we should embrace the knowledge God has given us about mental health to aid in our healing. Church support, therapy, scripture, knowledge—these are not contrary to faith. They are tools that God can use to bring healing, just as He uses doctors to heal physical ailments.

Integrating Psychology and Faith

Let’s look at what Modern psychology has shown us about hpw our mental health is shaped by a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors—a concept known as the biopsychosocial model. This understanding helps us see that mental health challenges are not simply a matter of personal weakness or a lack of faith; they are often the result of intricate processes involving our brain chemistry, our thought patterns, and our life experiences.

For example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a well-established psychological approach that helps individuals identify and reframe negative thought patterns. This process of renewing the mind echoes the biblical call in Romans 12:2 to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. When we learn to challenge irrational beliefs and replace them with more balanced thoughts, we not only improve our mental health but also grow in our faith.

Psychology also teaches us the importance of self-compassion and emotional resilience. Emotions are a natural part of the human experience. Just as the Psalms reveal David’s honest expression of sorrow and despair, modern psychology encourages us to acknowledge and work through our emotions rather than suppress them. Research in the field of psychology has consistently shown that confronting and understanding our feelings leads to better mental and physical health outcomes.

Furthermore, I believe that God gave us the ability to gain knowledge so that we can use it in our jobs, to take care of our families, and yes—even to learn about mental health and psychology to help us heal. When we study psychology, we learn about stress, trauma, and the ways our early experiences shape us. This knowledge equips us to better understand our own struggles and to support others who are hurting.

The principles of mindfulness, self-care, and community support that are often emphasized in psychological research have strong parallels in Scripture. The early Church thrived on communal support, and modern psychology confirms that a strong support network can be a critical component of recovery and growth. By integrating psychological insights with our faith, we are better prepared to address the full spectrum of human experience—mind, body, and spirit.

The Church’s Role in Mental Health Advocacy

So, where does that leave the Church? As Galatians states, we the body of Christ , we are called to “bear one another’s burdens” That includes supporting those facing mental health challenges.

Here are some practical ways we can foster a more open and supportive church culture:

1. Normalize the Conversation – Church leaders and members should openly discuss mental health in sermons, small groups, and amongst themselves. The more we talk about it, the less stigma there will be.

2. Encourage Professional Help – Seeking therapy does not mean a lack of faith. Churches should encourage people to seek professional help when needed or offer those services to their congregation. 

3. Create a comfortable Space– small groups and counseling ministries can provide a sense of community for those struggling.

4. Educate the Church – encourage education on the struggles of mental health, whether it’s depression, anxiety, grief. We can’t help someone through something if we do not understand it. 

5. Practice Compassion Over Judgment – When someone shares their mental health struggles, our response should be love and understanding, not condemnation or simple platitudes.

It’s time for the Church to lead the way in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. Imagine a church where people felt safe to be honest about their struggles, where they didn’t have to hide behind a mask of “I’m fine.” That’s the kind of church Jesus calls us to be.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! You can connect with me on instagram. And if you found this helpful, share this with someone who needs to hear it.

Remember: your mind matters, and God cares about your mental health.