Mental health problems are real, and therefore a real pastoral matter. And also deeply complex!
So, as a Christian but not an expert, how can I care well for people?
I have three main ideas in mind when it comes to Christian care. I hope they are helpful. I need to know if they’re wrong. So please comment-criticise-correct-reinforce. Your understanding will help me keep learning.
- The Christian message makes sense of a world where mental health problems are real
- Christian teaching and beliefs can directly help some cases of mental illness
- Christian teaching shows us that no mental health problem is ultimate