People with mental problems are our neighbors. They are members of our congregations, members of our families; they are everywhere in this country. If we ignore their cries for help, we will be continuing to participate in the anguish from which those cries for help come. A problem of this magnitude will not go away. Because it will not go away, and because of our spiritual commitments, we are compelled to take action. — Rosalynn Carter

A comprehensive report on “Mental Health” issued by the U.S. Surgeon General in 1999 acknowledged great gains in the nation’s physical health, due in large part to research-based public health innovations. But the report also tells us, “Despite unprecedented knowledge gained in the past three decades about the brain and human behavior, mental health is often an afterthought and illnesses of the mind remain shrouded in fear and misunderstanding.”

Families of faith are not exempt from the devastating affects of mental illness. Yet, many people in our pews continue to suffer in silence or become detached from their faith communities and their own spirituality because they are not receiving the support they so desperately need. Learning more about mental illness can help us as caring Christians bring hope and the possibility of wholeness, to people in times of personal darkness.

The Rev. Susan Gregg-Schroeder, coordinator of Mental Health Ministries, California-Pacific Conference, in her book, In the Shadow of God’s Wings: Grace in the Midst of Depression, tells openly and poignantly about her descent into depression while serving as the pastor of a large urban church. She describes her experience: “I felt stripped of everything familiar — my patterns of living and especially my ways of experiencing God’s presence. Depression is a bewildering experience and certainly not a time to recognize or appreciate God’s hidden work in our lives.”

And yet, she goes on to describe the great spiritual growth she experienced working through a dark passage in her life. In response to her experiences, Gregg-Schroeder has produced 10 videos and a DVD of worship clips that show how people experience mental illness. (These are featured new items in the Media Resource Center collection).

In addition to the Gregg-Schroeder series, the Media Resource Center offers video/DVD resources that address various topics associated with mental health. These resources offer excellent material for small group discussion, or for a personal exploration of issues associated with mental health.

Also note: The NIC Mental Health Ministries Task Group, which is accountable to the Conference Board of Church and Society, was initiated by action of Annual Conference in 2001. This task group was formed to develop programs: to increase understanding of mental illness by clergy and laity of our local churches, and to help integrate those with mental illness into local church life. For more information, contact Leroy Pickett, (630) 968-2772.