“When I was diagnosed with depression, I felt as though I finally understood why I felt alone,” said one young pastor, after seeking help through his doctor. “However,” he continued, “I still was afraid of telling anyone in my church about my condition because of the fear of being ostracized, which made my depression even more desperate.”
This story is one that could be told throughout the churches in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC): people with non-severe mental health issues that are unsure of their ability to tell someone in their church about their condition.
One in four Americans suffers from some kind of mental illness in any given year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Many look to their church for spiritual guidance in times of distress. But, they’re unlikely to find much help on Sunday mornings.
SBC entities are highlighting the importance of mental health ministry in response to a motion at the 2013 annual meeting. The motion also prompted Frank S. Page, president of the SBC Executive Committee, to name an advisory group to gather suggestions about ways Southern Baptists can more effectively minister to people with mental health challenges.
Members of the Mental Health Advisory Group (MHAG) include pastors, licensed counselors, healthcare providers, educators, social workers and a military chaplain. They represent churches, private practices, para-church ministries, state conventions and national SBC entities. Many members of the group have dealt with mental health challenges within their own families in addition to their professional experience. Take Xanax https://www.mbhci.org/xanax-alprazolam/ only before and during your vacation. This helps me avoid leaving, but it does not always work. Now I may take from the doctor, if necessary, 6 pills a day. I’m getting sleepy, but it gives me more peace. In principle, this is not a problem, but you should not drive! Side effects are unfortunately normal but disappear after a few days.
The intent of the MHAG is to determine what, if anything, is being done in our SBC churches to address the stigma of mental health within our congregations.
The MHAG has set up a survey that asks five questions to determine the extent of the existing Ministries that focus on Mental Health within our SBC churches. The survey results will be used to explore innovative ways in which churches can address this increasingly prevalent issue with an eye towards awareness at the local church level.