Stigma in the church?

Clearly, more education and advocacy is needed in the faith communities, and beyond. I have been very disheartened that faith communities are not actively wanting to learn more. For example: effective ways to address the multitude of needs facing church members who have a brain based illness and their family members, how to reach out to folks in the community so that they feel welcomed and valued, and how to push back against stigma by educating the whole church body. The attitude of: Ignorance is bliss, -really isn't so. It still feels like we haven't advanced nearly enough in research, treatment, and understanding. I pray for the day that no one suffers alone and that the chains of stigma are broken. Disorders of the brain are not character flaws, failures in faith, or by choice.
God bless Mark, may he finally rest in peace. Let this tragedy be used to open doors to truth, understanding, and compassion.              Jennifer Dochod

Suicide of star pastor Rick Warren’s son sparks debate about mental illness

By Michelle Boorstein,

Apr 11, 2013 12:54 AM EDT

The Washington Post

In the days after the suicide of California megachurch pastor Rick Warren’s son, evangelical Christian leaders have begun a national conversation about how their beliefs might sometimes stigmatize those who struggle with mental illness.

Well-known evangelical figures called for an end to the shame and secrecy that still surrounds mental illness throughout U.S. society and a greater embrace of medical treatment, particularly among evangelicals.

“Part of our belief system is that God ­changes everything, and that because Christ lives in us, everything in our hearts and minds should be fixed,” said Ed Stetzer, a prominent pastor and writer who advises evangelical ­churches. “But that doesn’t mean we don’t sometimes need medical help and community help to do those things.”

The death of Matthew Warren, 27, who shot himself Friday, stunned evangelical Christians. Most were unaware that Rick Warren, the best-selling author of “The Purpose Driven Life” and a pastor known for frank talk on subjects including politics, marriage and sex, was struggling with such a serious family problem. Rick Warren wrote to his congregation at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., that “only those closest” knew that his son had long been suicidal, despite receiving the best of spiritual and medical care.

Rebekah Lyons, a blogger and wife of the popular pastor Gabe Lyons, wrote this week that “anxiety and panic are my nemesis” and urged Christians not to link mental illness with spiritual weakness.

“As Christians, we believe this side of heaven all disease, sickness and pain is rooted in a world broken by sin. But there are real consequences to living amidst the mess. To oversimplify these complexities would be naive at best, negligent at worst,” she wrote.

The revelation has spurred discussion within church communities about how a fervent belief among evangelicals in the power of prayer and dependence on God and Jesus for healing might stifle congregants from talking about mental illness or seeking help for themselves or family members.

For Christians who believe in turning to a divine source for emotional help, even defining a prayerful request can be fraught, some leaders and congregants pointed out. For example, is depression the result of sinful behavior for which one should seek forgiveness? And if prayer does not bring relief, what might God be saying?

When people suffer despite prayer and consider therapy, “people think: ‘Is this a knock against my faith? Am I not believing in God enough? Now I have to resort to this?’ ”said Henry Davis, leader of the evangelical First Baptist Church of Highland Park. “I believe God is in therapy. I believe God can be in medicine. If someone says, ‘I’m just going to pray,’ you have to do more.”

Calling suicide “a dark secret people don’t want to talk about,” Davis decided to raise the issue of Matthew Warren’s suicide on Sunday, encouraging his Landover congregation to pray for the Warren family. In private conversations after the service, one congregant confided in Davis that he had nearly killed himself a year or two before. Then Davis learned that another congregant who died a few days earlier had hanged himself.