5 Reasons Christians Don’t Talk about Mental Health Struggles

When the event manager learned about my services, he validated the importance of mental health. “People need this,” he said, gesturing to my flyers. “They just don’t know it.”

I won’t argue with that.

Thankfully, the trend is beginning to shift. Scroll through TikTok or Instagram, and you’ll see how younger generations like Gen Z or Millennials don’t necessarily equate therapy with shame. Sadly, the reluctance to admit mental or emotional struggles, including their need for therapy, remains stubbornly strong for Gen X and older.

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“Mental illness is the result of sin.”

Ever heard the above misconception? Not too long ago, a well-known pastor claimed there’s no such thing as mental illness. He blamed clinical disorders on irresponsible parenting. His stature in American Christendom might have convinced millions of churchgoers to swallow his statements despite this man boasting no medical or mental health credentials.

But to denigrate folks who have been diagnosed with bipolar, schizophrenia, anorexia, or any other mental disorder as sinning (or spiritually immature) is to presume there’s no divide between the spiritual and emotional world.

If this is true—if there’s zero difference between the spiritual and emotional—why did God create us with spirit and soul both (1 Thessalonians 5:23)? By doing so, He granted us the ability to connect with the spiritual realm (through our spirit) and mental/emotional matters (through the soul).

Please don’t misunderstand: spiritual actions yield extraordinary outcomes. Perhaps you, too, have heard stories of people with an addiction whose desire for drugs suddenly vanished once they acknowledged Jesus’ lordship over their lives. Spiritual weapons of our warfare (2 Corinthians 10:4) work wonders indeed. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

But sometimes, gaining—and maintaining—emotional wellness requires specifically tailored interventions. And in that light, there’s nothing wrong with addressing mental health conditions through the specific lens of the soul.

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Let’s call her Tammy—a former client who informed me about her unpleasant interaction with a fellow believer. Tammy endured a recent trauma that jolted her back into the trauma of her childhood. She started having panic attacks. I couldn’t decide on how to move forward with life. Fear consumed her thoughts.

The leader of her small group responded by quoting Scripture after Scripture. If I had to guess, I’d say the other person did so to fortify Tammy’s faith against the difficult ordeal she was facing.

But the effort backfired. Tammy felt overwhelmed by the leader’s intensity. She planned to skip future small group meetings, so she wouldn’t have to face this individual.

I know other Christians have shared Tammy’s experience—in that they’ve found their experience with other Christians to be disappointing.

Besides, let’s be honest—not every churchgoer knows how to keep secrets. Who can guarantee the Christians you’re disclosing sensitive information to will keep this news to themselves? What if your prayer request for mental health-related needs becomes fodder for the gossip mill instead?

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Throughout years of practice, I’ve encountered the following phenomenon again and again:

Clients were initially reticent to divulge the full extent of their struggles. The more severe their trauma was, the more reluctant they became.

Here’s the rationale: if they could keep a lid on their symptoms—by never mentioning them to anyone—they could also maintain the pretense that nothing was the matter.

Talking about our challenges does make those issues real.

And it’s bringing up the problem that serves as the first step toward freedom.

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You might’ve heard sermons on how we should lead different lives than those who don’t know Jesus. In His prayer to the Father, the Son of God said, “They [the disciples] are not of the world, even as I am not of it” (John 17:16). Paul admonished us not to be conformed to the pattern of the world (Romans 12:2). Jesus called those who believe in Him the light of the world (Matthew 5:14), which means the rest of the world lives in darkness.

How can we—who are supposed to be the light—admit to the dank and dark world that we, or our loved ones, struggle with mental conditions? Wouldn’t that relegate us to the same position as those who don’t know Jesus?

According to the above Scriptures and others like them, divulging mental health struggles with non-believers might cloud our witness indeed.

Which is why it’s best to share this type of information with discretion.

The Value of Trusted Professionals

If you can’t do anything else to fix your overflowing toilet, you’d probably call a plumber. Or perhaps, a property manager. If your child has a toothache, you will make an appointment with the dentist.

So, what’s wrong with calling a therapist when your soul is troubled?

Can we please normalize the act of seeking professional help when said help involves the mental or emotional realm? Mental health professionals must complete formal training in psychology to ensure competence. They’re also bound by ethics and applicable laws to maintain your confidence.

Nonetheless, I can understand if you prefer to sample therapy before committing to it. Like getting a taste of a dish you’ve never tried before, it’s wise to investigate what you’re contemplating doing before forking over your resources.

One way is to sign up for a low-risk obligation, like participating in a workshop. Whether you recently buried a family member or your marriage, whether you lost your job or a pet, you’re invited to a seminar. It’s free when you pre-order my new book, Grieving Wholeheartedly.

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