
By Denise Craig, CAE, CCA
When you serve a church of any size, mental health issues will arise at some point. Whether it’s a staff member, a congregant, or someone from the community, mental health is a real issue. As the church, we care for people, not just for their spiritual health, but we also care about their overall well-being. They bring their entire selves with them on Sundays, and when they walk out the door to return home, they leave ready to face the week, or they know each day will be a struggle.
As church leaders, we walk-through many life milestones with families — births, marriages, kids going off to college, divorces, and deaths. Some of these call for celebration and others call for grief. Sometimes mental health issues may be temporary, due to a season someone is going through. Other times, they are long-lasting.
As church leaders, knowing how to handle these issue when they arise can be a challenge, for several reasons.
We aren’t sure what to do
When you were called into ministry and trained to serve others in a church, it is highly unlikely you got a course in how to deal with mental health issues. In fact, you might not even know how to identify a mental health issue, much less know what to do about it.
We only focus on spiritual health
Telling someone who is clinically depressed that the joy of the Lord is their strength, although true, could cause them to feel confused. It could leave someone also feeling shame because they don’t feel joy at the moment. It can leave them wondering if Jesus has left them if they don’t feel joyful.
We have a lack of resources
Even if we recognize there is an issue beyond our area of expertise, we often aren’t sure where to turn for quality referrals. If we do happen to know of a quality mental health professional in the area, we might not know if the church or the individual is in a financial situation to pay for therapy, should it be needed long-term.
We want to appear as if we have it together
Unfortunately, there can still be stigmas around mental health issues, even in the church. This can cause congregants not to reach out for help. It can also cause clergy who are approached by a congregant to attempt to have all the answers rather than admit they aren’t sure what to do. In fact, often church staff members deal with their own mental health issues, such as burnout.
So, what should we do?
Provide a supportive environment
Even if we don’t completely understand what someone is going through, we can offer them a caring, supportive environment. Church should be a place where people can feel safe and loved. If someone is violent, or a security risk, they will require special expertise to ensure the safety of others in your congregation.
Don’t make it a taboo subject
Being able to be honest and talk about struggles we go through as leaders may help someone else reach out for help when they need it.
Seek partnerships with local experts
Look for mental health professionals in your area who would be willing to come in and do a seminar or have an ongoing program for those who need extra support. Let congregants understand that being part of a church is being part of God’s family, and we help each through tough times. You could make this part of your care ministry in the church’s budget.

The church should be a place where people can come for prayer and seek God’s help for healing, whether it be spiritual, mental, or physical. It should be a place where they know others care.
If you are a church leader who struggles with your own mental health issues, tell someone. Seek help. There are others who love you and want to see you thrive. The weight of ministry can be heavy. You don’t need to bear it alone.
Related URLS:
To learn more about The Church Network: https://thechurchnetwork.com
To discover the TCN Annual Conference: https://thechurchnetwork.com/conference
To become a Certified Church Administrator: https://thechurchnetwork.com/certify
Denise Craig, CAE, CCA is a strategic leader who is passionate about helping others discover their God-given purpose so they can live and lead well. With more than 30 years of leadership experience, she is honored to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of The Church Network. Craig is a Certified Association Executive, a Certified Church Administrator, and a Certified Financial Coach. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Society of Association Executives (TNSAE), the advisory panel for Church Executive Magazine, and is a regular speaker for conferences, Bible studies, and financial seminars.
She can be reached at denise@thechurchnetwork.com.
*TCN reserves all rights to this article. We grant Church Executive Magazine an unlimited license to publish the article, post it on their website, and include it in an eBook. TCN 1/26/25.