In my last post I laid out a very brief overview of the five levels of mental and emotional distress. I dislike describing every distressful feeling event as "Mental Illness". Being upset does not mean we are mentally ill. Getting support and counsel does not mean we are mentally ill.
When Rick and Kay Warren's son died so tragically and publicly, there were numerous articles about how the church needs to reach out to people with a mental illness. Here is my view of that need as a person involved in training Peer and Professional Counselors since 1970. Those calls will backfire!
Why do they create more not less resistance to provide support for people with mental and emotional distress?
1. It scares Pastors and Elders. They recoil at the mental image of the church becoming a Psychiatric unit.
2. They usually focus on people with the most difficult cases. The Level Fives on my Scale. But this group is no more than 2% to 4% of the population. The media tells stories about people who struggle with suicidal thoughts, psychosis, violent urges, killing rampages, domestic abuse, etc in order to grab our attention.
3. Most Pastors and Elders are already overwhelmed by trying to find someone to teach Junior High kids and visit widows and shut-ins. They are trying to get the people to witness to neighbors let alone counsel the mentally ill.
4. Church Lawyers fear lawsuits and higher insurance costs.
5. The Pastors imagine giving out medication and having to confront psychotic members! They are too frightened to even think of doing it.
The remedy? Train every member in communication skills. We all need to know how to listen and solve problems. We all need to know how to resolve differences and reduce silly conflicts. We need Primary Prevention not Crisis Management.
It is not rocket science but people relationships. This will reduce pain, prevent divorces, heal family strife and make life at church more peaceful as well as solve most disputes between Pastors and Elders!
See my next post, watch my videos on caring and Building People Up! Read my books and papers on "Equipping all Christians to reduce mental, emotional and spiritual distress."
The chart above shows that emotionally distressed people do not need "Expert Input" but friend and family who will care. Have a cup of tea together. Go to lunch. Pray! Get in a small group.
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