Mental Illness, Health and Wellness
Resources from The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
The LCMS encourages all pastors, church workers and congregations to actively advocate for mental health and wellness among their people and provide Christ-centered compassion and ministerial supportive care to those in need through prayer, private confession and absolution, and the Means of Grace (2019 Res. 3-04A).
It is estimated that 1 in 5 adults will experience a diagnosable mental illness in any given year. (This figure is 1 in 6 for children between ages 6 and 17.) The more prevalent illnesses, which account for 80% of cases, are the anxiety disorders, major depression, the substance use disorders and the trauma-based disorders.
Less prevalent and yet persistent and serious mental illnesses including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder affect 1 in 20 persons. Having more than one condition at the same time (called “comorbidity”) is extremely common. As alarming as they are, these figures tell less than half of the story.
Many persons will experience serious emotional distress but not meet criteria for a formal diagnosis. In what the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) calls the “ripple effect,” mental health problems profoundly affect families and caregivers. Those caring for someone with serious mental illness, such as a child who has an autism spectrum disorder or a parent with dementia, dedicate an enormous amount of emotional and physical energy to that unending labor of love, resulting in emotional exhaustion, burnout and “ripple effect” mental illnesses.
Ministry Goal
Our pastors and congregations will reach out to and accept people with mental illness into their midst. Our vision is that those living with mental illness/brain disorders and their families would be full participants in the life and ministry of the church.
Resources
Mental illness, like all diseases, is rooted in sin. Original sin, that is. The Lutheran Witness presents a Lutheran perspective on mental illness and health.
A top priority of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is to promote and nurture the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of pastors and church workers. The Synod offers resources to address nine common areas of concern.
Topics: Identity in Christ; Supportive and encouraging culture; Healthy churches, schools, and ministries; Finances; Relationships; Caregivers; Recognition and connection; Awareness, resources, and advocacy; Care provided locally.