Tag Archives: mental illness

One mother’s journey…adoption and psychiatric medication

Contrary to what many believe, putting a child on psychotropic medication is neither quick, nor easy, nor a fix. It is a serious decision with potentially serious consequences. Continue reading

Posted in Adoption, Advocacy, Controversies, Families, Mental Health, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Mental health inclusion…taking the first step

May 2015 is Mental Health Month. In recognition, Key Ministry will be presenting a series of blog posts… Ten Strategies for Promoting Mental Health Inclusion at Church. By the end of the series, we will have created a template for churches … Continue reading

Posted in Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sin, mental illness and the church…Erring on the side of grace

We need to treat persons with mental illness and their families with the same sensitivity and grace we would show to any vulnerable believer.
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Posted in Advocacy, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From @EdStetzer…Is the church guilty of “spiritual abuse” toward the mentally ill?

Many in the church are guilty of spiritual abuse when they communicate to vulnerable people searching for help their certainty that the reason for their distress is insufficient faith or moral failure. They fail to recognize the complexity of the interrelationship between our minds, bodies and spirits, and much like Job’s friends in the Old Testament, exacerbate pain and suffering by misrepresenting God’s grace and God’s character.
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Posted in Advocacy, Controversies, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The struggles of kids with mental illness in a sexualized culture

Is it our unwillingness to affirm the risky behaviors that all too often lead to tragic consequences or a hopelessly broken, messed up culture that tells emotionally vulnerable teens that they’re defined by who they’re attracted to and their desirability to potential sexual partners? Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Anxiety Disorders, Controversies, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Are churches blind to mental illness?

The presence of mental illness appears to be an impediment to church attendance and regular prayer. Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Families, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Was Elijah depressed?

What I was most struck by in Elijah’s story was the extent to which the disconnect between his expectations and reality contributed to his feelings of hopelessness and despair. We struggle greatly when our expectations don’t meet our circumstances… Continue reading

Posted in Controversies, Depression, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

An Open Letter to Pastors, Biblical Counselors, Psychologists and Psychiatrists…Mitzi VanCleve

Those of us who live with these disorders need to be ministered to from all of you. It shouldn’t be an either/or thing but rather a both/and thing. The last thing we need when we are experiencing the pain of our disorder is to be confused or made to feel guilty about where to go for help. Continue reading

Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Controversies, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

What if medication is a tool that helps us resist sin?

Could we argue that medication (or other treatment) that enhances our ability to avoid sin or to do good might be a useful tool for the individual Christian? Further, could we argue that the decision to take medication under such circumstances is God-honoring? Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Controversies, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Including Kids and Teens With Mental Illness in the Church and Community…#globalaccess2015

Here’s the Slideshare of Dr. Grcevich’s presentation today at the 2015 Global Access Conference, presented by Joni and Friends…Including Kids and Teens With Mental Illness in the Church and Community. Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Advocacy, Anxiety Disorders, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Training Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment