If you haven’t seen the latest testimony on our Filthy Rags blog, check it out. The church has done a lot of damage to folks with mental illness, but we found a group that’s trying to do something about it: Kudos to Mental Health Ministries for shedding light on an often overlooked need in the Church.

This ministry was started by Rev. Susan Gregg Schroeder, a United Methodist elder who is clear that mental health has been a victim of the Church. Schroeder has seen the Church ignore folks diagnosed with a mental disease. Like Pearce’s testimony, she explains that “mental illness is thought of as a moral or spiritual failure rather than a treatable illness.”

The website, www.mentalhealthministries.net, has a list of things churches can do to talk about mental health openly. The suggestions range from depression inventories to workshops to help recovering veterans. The site also has a section for people to submit their ideas and links to other national organizations.

Think you don’t know anyone with a mental disorder? The site claims “according to the Surgeon General, one in every five Americans experiences a mental disorder in any given year and half.”

Through the efforts of organizations like Mental Health Ministries, Pearce’s testimony could become a thing of the past. Maybe with this organization’s help, we won’t get so hung up on doctrine and misunderstood beliefs.

What you can do: Take part in the nationwide Mental Health events:

• The first week in October is National Mental Health Awareness Week.
• Tuesday, October 6, is the National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding.
• Thursday, October 8, is National Depression Screening Day.

If you think your church needs to learn more about mental health, check out www.mentalhealthministries.net and send a message to Rev. Schroeder for more info at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Let’s remember why this matters:
“My point is simple: I would like to urge the church to develop a better understanding of psychiatric conditions and the physical, often genetic abnormalities that can cause them. I am hoping that in the time since I attended, you as a whole have become more educated in these areas. If not, I believe it absolutely crucial that you do so as soon as possible.”
-Words from Pearce, a victim of the church’s ignorance about mental health

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