1 in 4 Pastors Have Struggled with Mental Illness, Finds LifeWay and Focus on the Family
Important stats here on mental health and the church. Check it out!
“Our research found people who suffer from mental illness often turn to pastors for help,” said Ed Stetzer, LifeWay executive director, in a news release. “But pastors need more guidance and preparation for dealing with mental health crises. They often don’t have a plan to help individuals or families affected by mental illness, and miss opportunities to be the church.”
Other “key disconnects” uncovered by the study:
- Two-thirds of pastors (68 percent) say their church maintains a list of local mental health resources for church members. But few families (28 percent) are aware those resources exist.
- Only a quarter of churches (27 percent) have a plan to assist families affected by mental illness, according to pastors. And only 21 percent of family members are aware of a plan in their church.
- Few churches (14 percent) have a counselor skilled in mental illness on staff, or train leaders how to recognize mental illness (13 percent), according to pastors.
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