Breaking the Silence: Tackling the Taboo of Mental Health in Our Religious Communities
In many of our faith communities, the church has long been a sanctuary — a place of healing, hope, and restoration. Yet for many individuals struggling with mental health challenges, the sanctuary can sometimes feel like a silent battleground. Too often, mental health issues are met with discomfort, denial, or spiritual clichés that suggest prayer alone is the answer. As a result, faithful individuals quietly suffer in the shadows, afraid to voice their pain in a place that should be safe.
The stigma surrounding mental health in religious spaces runs deep. Rooted in generations of misunderstanding and misinterpretation, mental illness is often viewed as a spiritual weakness or a punishment for sin. Phrases like “just pray about it,” “give it to God,” or “you need more faith” can unintentionally minimize real psychological pain. While prayer and faith are powerful and essential to the Christian journey, they were never meant to replace professional help and mental wellness tools.
We must begin to see mental health not as a sign of spiritual failure but as a part of our overall well-being — just like physical health. Just as we would not shame someone for seeking treatment for diabetes or high blood pressure, we must remove the shame from seeking help for depression, anxiety, or trauma. As believers, we are called to care for the whole person: body, soul, and mind.
Scripture supports this holistic view of healing. In 3 John 1:2, the apostle writes, “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” This verse beautifully connects spiritual and physical health. Likewise, Proverbs 11:14 reminds us, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Seeking wise counsel — including from licensed therapists — is not a sign of weak faith but of wisdom and strength.
There is also hope in the stories of those who have bravely navigated both faith and mental health. I recall a woman in my counseling practice who had struggled with anxiety for years. Raised in a devout Christian home, she had been taught that anxiety was a lack of trust in God. But as we worked together, she began to understand that her anxiety was rooted in past trauma, not spiritual failure. With counseling, prayer, and the support of a loving faith community, she experienced genuine healing — not just spiritual, but emotional too.
So how can the church help break the stigma? Here are some intentional steps faith communities can take:
Normalize the conversation. Encourage pastors and leaders to speak openly about mental health from the pulpit. When church leaders model vulnerability and wisdom about these issues, it gives others permission to do the same.
Educate the congregation. Host workshops or invite Christian mental health professionals to lead discussions on topics like depression, anxiety, grief, and trauma. Education replaces stigma with understanding.
Create safe spaces. Develop support groups within the church where members can share their struggles confidentially and be met with empathy — not judgment.
Build partnerships. Connect with local counselors or mental health agencies and have a list of trusted referrals available for those in need.
Train ministry leaders. Equip deacons, youth leaders, and ministry volunteers with basic mental health first aid so they can recognize signs of distress and respond appropriately.
There is still much work to be done, but the tide is beginning to turn. More faith leaders are speaking up, more congregations are opening their doors to therapists, and more believers are choosing both faith and therapy. As we move forward, let us challenge ourselves and our communities to embrace the truth: that mental health is not a taboo, but a testimony in the making.
Let us break the silence — so that healing can begin, one conversation at a time.
Erika Brooks is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor in Richmond, Virginia. She received her Masters of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is the owner of Enlightenment Counseling Services, LLC. She is also a co-author of PEARL: Wisdom and Advice for Emerging Leaders and Positioned to Pivot. Contact her at brookslpc@gmail.com