A New Year and a Fresh Focus on Mental Health Care

01-01-2022

The church, says Rev. Kathy McNair, is an invaluable resource for support and information about managing life’s challenges in healthy ways.

Resolutions abound at the beginning of a new year with most goals focused on fitness, finance, and family. Rev. Kathy McNair adds care for our mental health to this year’s list of priorities. The founder and executive director of Faith, Hope and Good Mental Health, Rev. McNair, M.Div.’96, sees the church as an invaluable resource for support and information about managing life’s challenges in healthy ways, especially as we continue to navigate a global pandemic. 

“The church believes in the power of community,” says Rev. McNair. “That’s a huge resource that can be leveraged in greater ways to address the mental health concerns of individuals in the pews and people in our communities. People are finding their way back inside church buildings, but they are not the same people who left. We have all been experiencing more isolation and not as much fellowship as we did in the past. The new year can be a fresh start…time to think about how we get reacquainted, how we share our stories and what issues are on our minds as we look forward.”

The author of the curriculum, Restoring Wholeness, Rev. McNair sees fellowship as a gateway into building trust and addressing the mental health concerns of a congregation. How people gather and interact can go a long way toward helping them realize that they were not alone and are not alone as they reenter their religious spaces.

“One thing congregations can pay attention to is being safe places where everyone can feel that they will be confidentially and compassionately listened to,” she says. “Creating small groups where activities are directed, yet non-threatening and fun can be a place to start.”

An activity she uses when facilitating and building trust within small groups is called Fresh Eyes. An adaption of the spiritual practice, Visio Divina, Fresh Eyes invites a small group of individuals to view an image, reflect on its meaning, share their thoughts, and listen to the thoughts of others. “An exercise like this can open us up to being generous and welcoming,” says Rev. McNair, a former faith coordinator for the National Association on Mental Illness. “We can differ in our reflections on what we see, but not be judged as wrong. It allows us to be friendly and kind to others when they share. It’s an act of hospitality and compassion.”

Noting other ways to connect as community, Rev. McNair cited the centrality of Scripture to the life of a church, especially during challenging times. “Ancient words give us perspective,” she shares, “they offer insights on how to respond in times of need and distress. We can look to Scripture for people who have gone through various struggles and find examples of faith and perseverance. Scripture gives us hope that we can make it. There is much encouragement to be found in sharing words of hope and faith.”

Fellowship is vital to the health of a church, Rev. McNair adds, and creating a common agreement about its importance can come through educating congregations and communities about mental health concerns.

“As pastors and leaders, we have to be willing to identify and name the mental health concerns that can appear in anyone’s life,” she says. “Anxiety, depression, loneliness, loss, and grief are all part of the human experience. Not getting stuck in those experiences is the challenge we all face. As we become more skilled in how to reach out to others and connect in ways that build a healthy congregation, we can become part of each other’s healing process.”

For resources on mental health care, visit Faith, Hope and Good Mental Health, and the Presbyterian Mental Health Network.  Learn about the resources McCormick is developing to help churches and communities address this important health concern through its Trauma Healing Initiative.

“Ancient words give us perspective; they offer insights on how to respond in times of need and distress. We can look to Scripture for people who have gone through various struggles and find examples of faith and perseverance.” Rev. Kathy McNair