28% “would feel ashamed”
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Awareness of mental health issues has generally improved in Christian Canada, but stigma still exists.
A recent webinar hosted by Flourishing Congregations Institute (FCI), a Canadian church data research institute, and sponsored by Ambrose University, recently discussed how Canadian church leaders can address mental health and illness in their churches. A total of four sessions were held under the theme of ‘What you need to know’.
FCI and Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries conducted a survey on ‘the impact of mental health and illness in the Christian community’ targeting 1,000 church leaders and members across Canada from February to May. .
“The survey looked at two key areas in Canada: attitudes and awareness of mental health issues in the church, and church support for mental health,” said FCI Executive Director Joel Tissen during the webinar. “The numbers are only a sample and do not represent the entire Canadian church, so the data must be interpreted cautiously,” he began.
Thyssen spoke about the varying responses of church leaders and members to mental health issues, ranging from “viewing mental health issues as part of the normal human experience” to “not talking about mental health issues at all.” , ‘obstacles to accepting Christian doctrines such as love, peace, hope, and joy’, or ‘responses to dark elements of spiritual oppression’.
“I think it’s important to talk about how we’ve been talking about mental health and illness and how this can impact people’s experiences, whether they have personally experienced it or not,” Thyssen said. He said.
Two-thirds of respondents surveyed reported mental health issues as common. 67% of respondents said, “I would not feel ashamed if other church members found out that I had a mental health problem,” and 28% said, “I would feel ashamed.”
76% felt “I wouldn’t mind if other people in my church knew I had sought help from a mental health professional,” but 20% said “I would feel embarrassed.”
“One of the keys to this study is the way mental health and illness are prevalent within the Canadian church,” Thyssen said. “Although normalization has not occurred across the board in all contexts and spaces, generalizations about mental health and illness in general have occurred.”
“But at the same time, we must not overlook that there are different experiences within the congregation, and here we see that stigma exists for some people in the Canadian church.”
Seventy-seven percent of respondents self-reported personal experience with mental health issues, and 60% of them had sought help from members of another church. Additionally, 81% of people who asked for help said they received it.
The types of help provided include praying for the individual (77%), receiving pastoral care (66%), providing friendship (59%), providing food or hospitality (40%), and helping them find resources for support (40%). %), home visits (38%), caregiver support (36%), assisted or free counseling (27%), financial support (25%), peer support groups (19%), rides to clinics (16%), bible on mental health These included providing study (12%), accompanying people to hospital visits (12%) and providing a dedicated mental health ministry (9%).
“While these types of support are important, the question remains whether the church is providing adequate space to discuss mental health issues and how they are being addressed,” Thyssen said.
Of those surveyed, 54% said they “disagree” or “strongly disagree” that their church has a formal support system for people experiencing mental health disorders or related difficulties.
The data also showed that churches need better resources to support individuals experiencing these issues. 55% said they were “personally equipped to help” (45% were not), and half (50%) of those experiencing mental health issues “felt that church members lacked the expertise to help me.” He said.
## Navigating Faith and Mental Health: A Conversation with Dr. Sarah Jones
**WorldTodayNews.com:** A recent survey by Flourishing Congregations Institute (FCI) revealed that 28% of Canadian church members would feel ashamed to struggle with mental illness. This, while awareness of mental health has generally improved. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Sarah Jones, a leading expert in the intersection of faith and mental health, to discuss these findings and explore ways forward for Canadian churches. Welcome, Dr. Jones.
**Dr. Sarah Jones:** Thank you for having me. It’s a critical conversation, and I’m glad we’re tackling it.
**WTN:** The survey’s findings are certainly concerning. What are your initial reactions to the statistic that nearly a third of church members would feel ashamed to seek help for mental health challenges?
**DSJ:** It’s heartbreakingly familiar. While there’s been progress, stigma around mental illness remains deeply entrenched, even within faith communities.This shame can be incredibly damaging, preventing individuals from seeking the support they desperately need. It reinforces feelings of isolation, diminishes self-worth, and can even worsen mental health conditions.
**WTN:** What factors might contribute to this lingering stigma within churches?
**DSJ:** There are a number of complex factors at play. Some stem from misinterpretations of scripture, with mental illness sometimes wrongly attributed to sin or a lack of faith. There can also be fear of being judged by fellow church members, worries about being seen as “weak,” and concerns about losing their place in the community.
**WTN:** The FCI webinar highlights the need for churches to be more supportive environments. What concrete steps can churches take to foster a culture where mental health is openly discussed and individuals feel safe seeking help?
**DSJ:**
* **Education and Awareness:** Churches should actively educate their congregations about mental health, dispelling myths and promoting understanding. this can involve hosting workshops, inviting mental health professionals to speak, and sharing resources.
* **Pastoral Training:** Equipping pastors and church leaders with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to mental health needs is crucial. They need to be able to offer compassionate support, guidance, and referrals to appropriate resources.
* **Creating Safe Spaces:** Churches should strive to create welcoming and non-judgmental environments where individuals feel cozy sharing their struggles. Small groups,support groups,and designated mental health ministries can provide valuable space for connection and healing.
* **Championing Openness:** Encouraging open conversations about mental health within the church community helps normalize these issues and reduces shame. Leaders sharing their own experiences or struggles can be incredibly powerful.
**WTN:** What role can families and friends play in supporting individuals within churches facing mental health challenges?
**DSJ:** They can be invaluable sources of support.
* **Listen without judgment:** Offer a safe space for individuals to express their feelings without fear of criticism or dismissal.
* **Educate themselves:** Learn about mental health conditions to better understand their loved one’s experience.
* **Offer practical support:** Help with everyday tasks, offer to accompany them to appointments, or simply be a listening ear.
* **Encourage professional help:** If necessary, gently encourage them to seek professional help from a therapist or counsellor.
**WTN:** dr. Jones, any final thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?
**DSJ:** I want to emphasize that seeking help for mental health challenges is a sign of strength, not weakness.It’s a courageous step towards healing and well-being. We must work together to create church communities that embrace compassion, understanding, and support for all its members.
