18 Resources that Shed Light on Mental Illness in the Church

You can never have enough help to navigate the mental health system, especially from a Christian perspective. In the following list, I’ve curated 18 reliable faith-based resources that shed light on mental illness in the church.

Podcasts

• Focus On The Family interview with Ed Stetzer, Kay Warren, Jared Pingelton
  Listen in on a poignant conversation between researcher and author Ed Stetzer, Pastor Rick Warren’s wife Kay Warren, and psychologist and author Jared Pingelton as they discuss how the church can help those with mental illness. This recording was done in 2015 but I listened to it yesterday (11/14/2019) and found it still extremely relevant. (single episode)
• How is the Church Helping Those With Serious Mental Illness?
  In this podcast with Scott McConnell and Casey Oliver, they discuss a survey they conducted to understand how the church is assisting those with mental illnesses and how it could improve (4/2018). (single episode)
• CXMH podcast
  CXMH is a podcast at the intersection of faith & mental health, hosted by Robert Vore & Dr. Holly Oxhandler. They bring together faith leaders with mental health professionals for honest conversations.
• Fresh Hope for Mental Health podcast
  Hosted by Pastor Brad Hoefs, he interviews key subject matter experts and discusses mental health tips to empower individuals to live a rich, full and faith-filled life in spite of having a mental health diagnosis from a Christian mental health perspective.
• Revealing Voices podcast
  Hosted by Tony Roberts and Eric Riddle, they interview key subject matter experts and discuss mental health matters by raising unanswered questions and sharing unanswered prayers.
• Focus On The Family’s broadcasts and resources
  Focus on the Family has broadcasted family-focused, Christ-centered messages on radio and podcasts for decades. They have compiled a selection of resources on mental health at their website that includes previous broadcasts, books, ministries and pastoral care resources.

Books & Blogs

• Amy Simpson’s book and blog
  Amy Simpson’s father was a pastor, and her mother suffered from schizophrenia. In her book, Troubled Minds, Amy shares her experiences of growing up while supporting her mom through her mental illness, and the lessons she learned that apply to the church. Amy is a wealth of information and shares more insight on her blog, in speaking engagements, and through consulting services.
• Dr. Matthew S. Stanford’s book
  Dr. Stanford wrote the book, Grace for the Afflicted, and approaches various mental illnesses from a Biblical and clinical background. He gives clear evidence of mental illness in the Bible and meshes it with scientific and clinical material. He is the CEO of the Hope and Healing Center & Institute in Houston.
• Dr. Stephen Grcevich’s book
  Dr. Grcevich wrote the book, Mental Health and the Church: A Ministry Handbook for Including Children and Adults with…Common Mental Health Conditions. In the book, he offers practical solutions to incorporating those with mental illness into the church, and identifies specific strategies to meet those challenges. He is the president and founder of Key Ministry, a ministry for families with kids with varying disabilities.
• Pastor Brad Hoefs’ book and blog
  Pastor Brad Hoefs has written the book and started the support group ministry, Fresh Hope for Mental Health, and has his own diagnosis of bipolar disorder. He is active in advocating for those in the church with mental illness and their loved ones.
• Tony Roberts’ book and blog
  Tony Roberts pastored three churches while battling bipolar disorder and wrote his book, Delight in Disorder, on the experiences. He speaks, writes a blog, and co-hosts a podcast with Eric Riddle called Revealing Voices, where he advocates for the church to learn about and love those with mental illness.
• Kay Warren’s books and blog
  When Pastor Rick Warren and his wife Kay were hit with the tragedy of their own son taking his life in 2014, they began to advocate and educate the church on the reality of mental illness. Kay writes, speaks and advocates for integrating and helping those with mental illness in the church.
• Sheila Walsh’s books and blog
  Sheila Walsh, author, host of daily TV talk show Life Today, and former Women of Faith conference speaker has her own personal account of severe depression and hospitalization. Her books and ministry aim to remind us that God is for us.

Ministries

• Grace Alliance Ministry
  Grace Alliance facilitates grace groups that are 10 or 16 weeks long, covering the topic of mental health within families, individuals, and students.
• To Write Love On Her Arms ministry
  TWOLHA is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.
• Fresh Hope for Mental Health support groups
  Fresh Hope for Mental Health is an international network of Christian peer-to-peer mental health support groups whose mission is to empower those with mental health challenges, along with their loved ones, to live full and rich lives in spite of having a mental health diagnosis. Found in 25 states and 3 foreign countries, Fresh Hope groups meet weekly year-round to promote the health and overall wellness of their members.
• Key Ministry
  Key Ministry promotes meaningful connections between churches and families of kids with disabilities for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ.