A Healthy Church in Action offering radical
hospitality to individuals with mental illness and their families.
Reflect upon this
"Our reaction to those who
have dropped exhausted on the road of life is the ultimate test of our personal understanding of God's grace." Malcolm
Smith.
A. The Basics
1. Appropriate Language in Discussing Mental Illness.
2. Books and links
for Churches, Families, Siblings, Parents, and parents with a mental illness.
3. Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissism, Bipolar, and Schizophrenia
4. Various Books on Boundaries
5. Coping with a loved one's depression
6. Differentiating schizophrenia from demon influence
7. Disability Facts and Mental Illness
8. Interdenominational and Interfaith Mental Health Ministries and Resources.
9. John Wesley and Psychology
As a significant figure in Christian history, John Wesley has import
for modern Christian psychology in at least four ways: (1) his contention that the findings of science could be used by Christians
for the glory of God and the alleviation of human suffering; (2) his personal example of how difficult it is to put faith
into practice in daily living; (3) his teachings about the grace of God and the possibility of Christian perfection; and (4)
his concern for social justice and the welfare of the poor. This essay discusses these issues and demonstrates how a study
of Wesley can influence modern Christian psychology.
10. Luther and Depression by Tony Headley
This article is about someone who has been there, done that, and
has the t-shirt. The Protestant Reformation Leader and writer of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”, Martin Luther
felt free to share his own struggles with mental illness, i.e. depression. Research of Luther's sermons, teaching
material for young pastors display a very compassionate person of pastoral care with insightful and detailed observations,
and a proclamation of real grace for real life. Both his compassion for Christians with mental illnesses and his keen observation
of them were way ahead of his time.
11. Ministry, Mental Illness, and Communities of Faith
Religious communities are in a unique position to combat stigma
and provide a message of acceptance and hope.
12. Ministry needed for those impacted by mental illness
13. Model examples of churches offering radical hospitality to individuals with mental illness and
their families.
14. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and Faith Based Ministries.
15. NAMI FaithNet
This is a network composed of members and friends of NAMI (National
Alliance on Mental Illness). It was established for the purposes of
(1) facilitating the development within the Faith Community of a
non-threatening supportive environment for those with serious mental illness and their families, (2) pointing out the
value of one’s spirituality in the recovery process from mental illness and the need for spiritual strength for those
who are caretakers, (3) educating clergy and congregations concerning the biologic basis and characteristics of mental
illness, and (4) encouraging advocacy of the Faith Community to bring about hope and help for all who are affected by mental
illness.
16. Helpful links for focusing worship on Mental Illness in May, July, October, and December.
17. Resources for
Children of All Ages of Parents with a Mental Illness
18. Spirituality.
19. Wesley and Depression by Tony Headley
This article is about a person whom the denominational family tree
of Methodists and holiness churches view as the herald of sanctification--holiness of heart and life. For century after century
the idea prevailed among Christians that filthiness was akin to holiness. This only helped the spread of diseases like the
"Black Plague." On one occasion Mr. Wesley said "Cleanliness is next to godliness." His concern
for personal hygiene rose out of his understanding of sanctification, his view of pastoral care, and his concern for people's
mental and physical health.
Wesley was as concerned for the health of people’s bodies
and minds as he was for their souls. He read medicine with the same avidity he showed for theology. He also found health education
lacking and supplied it. Early in his ministry Wesley established a visitation program for the sick and dispensed medicine
to the poor in London and Bristol. Also, he advocated for better health care.
20. Theology for Mental Health Ministry
21. The Church and The Mentally Ill.
22. Demon or Disorder: A Survey of Attitudes Toward Mental Illness in the Christian Church by Baylor University.
This is the first
empirical study of how a person's relationship with the church is impacted when a family member is diagnosed with a mental
illness.
23. The Christian and the Mental Illness V: The Church and the Mentally Ill.
24. Church Pastors Dismiss Mental Illness.
25.
Church Congregations Can Be Blind to Mental Illness, Study Suggests.
