The Church & Mental Illness

In the Shekinah Bible School of Ministry course handout titled Christian and Counseling? Oxymoron?, it is stated that between 1999 - 2015 there was a 25% increase of suicides in the church. It was also stated that 35% of Pastors battle depression and though many suffer with depression, they feel uncomfortable addressing it in the church.
As human beings we are living in a fallen world. We will all go through times of trials and sufferings. In these last days evil has and will continue to increase in the earth and so will mental illness, depression, and the possibility of committing suicide inside and outside of the church. The body of Christ is called to be like Jesus Christ. (Philippians 4:9 Those things which ye have both learned and received, and heard and seen in Me, do. And the God of peace shall be with you.) In order for the church to be like Christ individually and collectively we have to go back to the word of God. We know Jesus came as a man to be an example for us to know what to do in every situation. Like some in the church He also experienced moments of heaviness and showed us how we as the church could overcome it. In the books of Matthew 26:36 - 46, Mark 14:32 - 42, and Luke 22:39 - 46 scripture is revealing a time when not only was Jesus experiencing heaviness but in these same scriptures, He also showed the church how to deal with it. Jesus never said there wouldn't be hard times but instead He told us they would come.
In the article Six Ways Jesus Fought Depression, Pastor John Piper gives the reader a different perspective of Jesus' experience when He prays in Gethsemane. The six ways is as follows.
Jesus chose some close friends to be with Him. Taking with Him Peter and two sons of Zebedee (Matthew 26:37).
He opened His soul to them. He said to them, My soul is very sorrowful, even to death (Matthew 26:38).
He asked for their intercession and partnership in the battle. Remain here, and watch with me (Matthew 26:38).
He poured out His heart to His Father in prayer. My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me (Matthew 26:39).
He rested his soul in the sovereign wisdom of God. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will (Matthew 26:39).
He fixed His eye on the glorious future grace that awaited Him on the other side of the cross. For the joy that was set before Him (He) endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).
If this is what it took for Jesus, then this is what it will take for the church.
I feel in order for the church to eradicate this stigma surrounding untreated mental illness we need to raise awareness, turn back to the word and see how Jesus, Himself overcame. There needs to be an atmosphere of safety and comfort where people can feel comfortable expressing what they are going through. The church needs to equip believers with the necessary biblical preaching and teaching of how to deal with depression. There should always be resources available inside or outside the church for Christian counseling. Lastly, I feel leaders should be honest with themselves and their congregations concerning their mental states and give updates on how they overcame. There is hope in testimonies. (Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him (the accuser of the brethren) by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony…). Jesus did not hide His pain and suffering, and neither should the body of Christ. We witness through scripture His sufferings and His perfect responses.

Yashica, I agree that in these last days evil has come and will continue to increase in the earth and so will mental illness, depression, and the possibility of committing suicide inside and outside of the church. This is why we need HOLY SPIRIT filled, qualified counselors to aid those who are in need. The church and the world need to know that we care, and they don't have to go through this alone. They need to know they have an outlet and don't have to go through these struggles by themselves. We as Believers are most definitely called to be like JESUS. When JESUS saw people suffering, HE stopped to help them. HE never left them to battle alone. I pray the eyes of the church will open to the reality of mental illness. My hope is in the days to come, we will have a heart to help the hurting, just as JESUS did. Great post Yashica!