46 Things I Would Like My Pastor To Know About Mental Illness

What would you like your pastor to know about Mental Illness? Recently I posted a question via my various Social Networks. Forty-six responses. What would you add to the list?

Here are the responses I received.

I would want my pastor to know …

Awareness is key. Become educated on the various mental illnesses and how to counsel those who suffer.
Be kind and have compassion for those who struggle with their faith and mental illness.
Provide personal support and spiritual guidance pertaining to the individual.
Reach out to those who have mental illness because no one should feel like an outcast in the church.
If someone reaches out to you, never reject them!
Mental Illness is not bad or a sin.
Pray for the individual and let them know you do.
Never give up on them.
Not all people have the insight to know that they suffer from a mental illness
That it is an illness, just like other illnesses.
People seem to be afraid of it.
Would like for them and laymen to understand depression.
Its not demonic
Support is crucial
Can be long term
Counselling can be helpful
That it has nothing to do with ‘demon possession.’
Educate your congregation
Never assume that when someone says I feel tired/depressed/down/achy/etc. That you know what they mean. To hear the reply ‘, I know what you mean’ or ‘I’m feeling x too’ is very unhelpful. It may have taken a lot of courage to express how they feel in just those terms and to hear that ‘you know exactly what they are going through’ is discouraging.
People with non-mental chronic illnesses can also suffer from fear, accusation that they have sinned, isolation from the church, people giving up on them and much of the above.
Referrals to help always.
There is no cure, and no healing miracle gonna happen.
Stop saying and labeling people like me as ‘unsaved, rebellious, not trusting enough and just not doing this and that right.’ As if it were my fault or other dark force. REALLY??
I’m broke period, and no amount of whatever you are trying to tell me or conjure will change that.
Stop seeing it as an illness and begin seeing it as a different way of seeing the world.
Stop thinking of it as something bad and begin thinking a problem to solve.
Start giving every person who thinks differently or whose body reacts to the world differently complete respect.
Listen to what they are saying, body and mind.
Help them find the voice to explain this world we live in then with open understanding learn from it.
Understand that God did not make a mistake and how my mind works is NOT a mistake or something to be cured.
IF I am to think differently, then that is between my maker and me.
When I am depressed understand something is WRONG… help me figure out what that is and create a plan to see through to the other side of it because I, at that moment, can not find the path on my own in that dark place.
Help human beings find their gifts which the world does not understand (any more than they do) to give them to the world as only they are destined to give.
Be gentle with our phobias because they are based in reality… something… somewhere… at some time…told us to be afraid of this thing and we still are terrified of it.
To the Jews and the Pagans, Jesus was seen (in his time) as a raving lunatic with what he believed.
That religion does not substitute for professional help. Don’t assume for example that better understood/more familiar illnesses can always be healed by faith.
Many Christians and non-Christians alike, suffer in silence needlessly. For fear of ridicule and judgment. Silence is the true killer.
Never think of mental illness as sin. Never call them afflictions, no one put this on anyone.
Compassion, empathy, an open mind, and heart are essential. Love, an open ear, and strong shoulder are essential as well.
Try to be silent; often one just wants someone to listen. “Do not walk in front of me, I may not want to follow. Do not walk behind me, I may not want to lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.” (unknown)
Those with mental illness need the same love and compassion shown to those without mental illness. Stop telling people what is wrong with them, and start teaching what God said the cure was- Love of them.
Some of the most beautiful art/music/literature came from the minds of those called mentally ill. I think it’s time to learn to celebrate the differences found among people in a supportive fashion.
People with mental illness are not lacking faith (they often have a stronger faith and a deeper relationship with Christ).
They are not being punished by God for some sin they committed.
They do not lack in prayer (no more than any mentally healthy person).
We have brains wired differently and/ or different chemical makeups than others.