Mental Health Care in the Church

Recent Posts - page 2

• Part 12 of 13. Neurodivergence in the Church: Welcoming People Who Are Wired Differently

  By dsonnenberg on May 27, 2026 • ( 15 )

  

  Many people in the church are neurodivergent—such as having autism, ADHD, dyslexia, NVLD, or other conditions that affect how they think, learn, communicate, and experience the world. They often feel misunderstood, struggle in typical church settings, and stumble over social expectations. Instead of feeling welcomed, they may feel like they’re “not doing church right” or that they’re too much trouble.

• Part 13 of 13. Strength for the Weary: How the Word and Prayer Help Us Carry the Load

  By dsonnenberg on May 26, 2026 • ( 15 )

  

  Many people in the church carry hidden pain: anxiety that keeps them awake, depression that makes every day feel heavy, or trauma that flares up in quiet moments. For some, that pain feels like a weight they cannot lift. They may feel like they must perform faith perfectly, or they worry that their struggle means they don’t have enough faith. But the means of grace—preaching, prayer, fellowship, the sacraments, and pastoral presence—are not tools we use to prove our faith. They are gifts God gives to sustain us when we are weak, weary, and unable to carry everything alone.

• Part 11 of 13. Supporting Family Caregivers: Caring for the Ones Who Hold Everything Together

  By dsonnenberg on May 26, 2026 • ( 15 )

  

  Family caregivers often carry the heaviest emotional load in a mental health struggle, yet they are easy to overlook. A church that cares well for the person in crisis should also care for the spouse, parent, sibling, or child who is trying to hold everything together.

• Part 10 of 13. A Church Policy That Makes Compassion Easier to Practice

  By dsonnenberg on May 26, 2026 • ( 15 )

  

  When someone is in crisis, church leaders often feel unsure what to do. They may worry about doing the wrong thing, saying the wrong thing, or even hurting someone by accident. A good church policy for mental health care should make compassion easier to practice, not harder. When leaders have clear guidance, they can respond consistently and with confidence, rather than guessing or avoiding the situation.

• Part 8 of 13. Responding to Trauma and Abuse with Presence and Care

  By dsonnenberg on May 26, 2026 • ( 15 )

  

  Many people in the church carry hidden pain: anxiety that keeps them awake, depression that makes every day feel heavy, or trauma that flares up in quiet moments. For some, that pain comes from abuse—physical, sexual, emotional, or spiritual—that happened in their family, in their community, or even in a church setting. The church should be the place where they are protected, supported, and helped to find safety.

• Part 4 of 13. Caring Well: The Difference Between Pastoral Care and Clinical Care

  By dsonnenberg on May 26, 2026 • ( 15 )

  

  Many people in the church carry hidden pain: anxiety that keeps them awake, depression that makes every day feel heavy, or trauma that flares up in quiet moments. When that happens, people often look first to the church, and that is a good thing. The church should be a place of prayer, presence, encouragement, and wise help.

• Part 7 of 13. Responding to Psychosis with Clarity and Compassion: Staying Present When Someone Is in Crisis

  By dsonnenberg on May 26, 2026 • ( 15 )

  

  Many people in the church carry hidden pain: anxiety that keeps them awake, depression that makes every day feel heavy, or trauma that flares up in quiet moments. For some, that pain becomes so overwhelming that they lose contact with reality in ways that are frightening for them and for those around them. This is what we call psychosis. When someone is experiencing psychosis, the church’s first job is not to fix everything. It is to stay calm and stay present.

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