Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles
"In a study of Christian church members who approached their church for help with a personal or family member's diagnosed mental illness, researchers found that more than 32 percent were told by their pastor that they or their loved one did not really have a mental illness.
The problem was solely spiritual in nature, they were told. "
Maybe if the collection plate were made more full, the "spiritual problems" would go away.
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" 'The results are troubling because it suggests individuals in the local church are either denying or dismissing a somewhat high percentage of mental health diagnosis,' said study leader Matthew Stanford, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University in Texas. 'Those whose mental illness is dismissed by clergy are not only being told they don't have a mental illness, they are also being told they need to stop taking their medication. That can be a very dangerous thing...All the participants in both studies were previously diagnosed by a licensed mental health provider as having a serious menal illness, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, prior to approaching their local church for assistance.' "
--Maybe if a portion of the proceeds of the collection plate went to funding a "Mental Health Awareness Seminar" in those churches, where the emphasis was on greater understanding of how to cope with such things as depression, anxiety, a loved one's mental illness and/or substance abuse, as well as how Christians could better assist both themselves and others who suffer with such things. Perhaps a psychiatrist
who is a member of the church could
volunteer to do it. Along with the Pastor. Then the proceeds from that collection plate could be donated to a homeless shelter where there would be no shortage of individuals who had gone off their meds. --Or better yet, reach out to them, and invite them to attend, so that people can hear first hand how to help the mentally ill.
Just a thought.
Take gentle care.
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