Comfort for Those Affected by Serious Mental Illness

“Mental illness has been present in every culture and age; and life in exile from community has been the fate of millions of God’s children who live with mental illness.”¹   For people affected by serious mental illness, we would like to think the church is one of the best sources of welcome and support in their lives.  Too frequently, however, this is not the case at all.  While unintended, the message often conveyed by the church is one of awkwardness, ignorance and insensitivity. 

Churches can indeed become communities of great love and comfort for those affected by serious mental illness and for their families.  The good news is that a desire to make this a reality is present.  What is needed in congregations are a few people willing to hear the truth from those who can share real-life experience, to examine the best practices of churches that are most effective in expressing God’s love and hope to affected families, and to help the church learn to put its best foot forward in reaching out.

We recognize the Church’s responsibility to welcome and care for those afflicted with these disorders and to employ the rich means of grace that are essential to the Church’s life to aid in their healing and restoration.  Our churches should educate their members about serious mental illness and build understanding among all the members of Christ’s body…  Many congregations have found fruitful and faithful ways to respond in ministry to people with serious mental illness.”¹

“Comfort My People:  A Policy Statement on Serious Mental Illness,” from The Presbyterian Church (USA), is a resource that helps us begin to understand the ways our culture and the church have contributed to the painful exile of those for whom serious mental illness is an ongoing reality.   It is a harbinger of hope that this situation can be improved drastically with a modest amount of education.  Finally, it is a source of practical ideas that local congregations can implement to bring God’s grace to many in their membership and in their neighboring communities whose needs and suffering may have gone unnoticed or untouched by love for far too long. 

A four-week study of “Comfort My People,” will begin Monday, January 30, and all are welcome to take part.  Please join in the discussion.  Chances are you know someone who cares deeply about this.  Invite them to come along!

We meet at First Presbyterian Church, Sherman and Wickham, in Muskegon, beginning at 7 p.m. each evening.    

 ¹ From “Comfort My People:  A Policy Statement on Serious Mental Illness,” developed by Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy of the Presbyterian Church (USA) 2008.