A Lutheran Perspective on Mental Health Issues
Mental health issues can be difficult to talk about.
Last weekend, Bob learned that the daughter of his golfing buddy, Daniel, had been hospitalized after a psychiatric crisis. Bob was unsure what to say. Rita was uncertain what to say to Caroline, a friend from church, after learning she had suffered from depression since college.
Mental health problems are difficult to talk about because we simply don’t do it much. As a result, we don’t always know what to think or what to say. Yet mental health problems are extremely common.
In any given year, about one in five persons, regardless of age, will experience a mental illness. Anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and trauma-induced disorders account for the majority of problems. The less common disorders include cognitive impairment, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. The disorders vary by age: children might experience severe anxiety when separated from parents, whereas Alzheimer’s primarily affects the elderly.
These figures mean that you know many who struggle with mental illness, but I would guess you do not know which particular individuals and families are struggling. That is because they have not told you. They potentially have not told anyone at their church because they worry about how others will react or they feel ashamed.
There are many disparaging ideas about mental illness. Some think that persons with mental illness are dangerous, or that the person—or their parents—must have done something wrong to cause the illness. Some think persons with mental health problems are weak—not strong enough to fight off or avoid the problem. Most tragically, some Christians say to themselves, “I am suffering because my faith is weak.”
Society’s attitudes toward mental health problems can cause the affected, whether an individual or a family, to suffer in silence. Contrast that to our openness about medical health, including prayers of supplication for the medically ill, spoken every service.
These attitudes stand in contrast to how Martin Luther thought and acted.
Luther personally experienced serious depression. We have many letters he wrote to friends discussing his or their mental health. His advice comprised three parts. As you review them now, I hope you are impressed to find that you already have the capacity to do what Luther did.
First, Luther was steadfast, kind, and compassionate. He was not afraid of the suffering of others, whether physical or emotional. He knew that mental and physical health problems alike were the result of the fallen world. You know this too and can talk openly and with sympathy with anyone about their experience. You can empathetically say to someone, “I’m sorry that is happening.” You can commiserate, “I know many who have gone through this.” You can thank them for sharing with you, and you can ask what you can do to help.
Second, Luther catechized. Knowing that Christ has paid for our sins, Luther did not blame the sufferer for their suffering. Luther noted that Abraham, Moses, Paul, and even Christ sometimes found life difficult. Luther would let none think that emotional struggles mean God has abandoned them. Quite the contrary, Christ assures us that we will struggle: “Take up your cross and follow me” (see Matt. 16:24). But Christ also assures us that he has won our victory over both illness and death, promising “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). You too can assure anyone suffering that God loves them.
Finally, Luther often gave very practical advice about thinking and behavior. Luther reminded persons to be wary of their thinking, especially when it is extremely negative. If you hear someone expressing negative thoughts, you can correct them. You can assure someone in emotional distress, “Others care greatly about you.” Be aware of their behavior, as such persons are vulnerable to isolating themselves, making depression and anxiety even worse. As Luther did, encourage them to be socially active and do fun things. Invite them to church events. At the least, encourage them to come to church every week, reminding them, “We love having you here!”
Keep in mind that Luther advised seeking professional help if it was needed. Do likewise, assuring the person that professionals can help, even if it might take a while to find the right counselor.
In practice, Bob can say to his friend, “I’m very sorry to hear what your daughter is going through. These problems are very common, but it must be very hard on you and your wife.” Likewise, can Rita say to Caroline, “Oh, I’m sorry you have struggled like that. I’m very grateful that you told me. Is there anything I can do? Would you like to go out for coffee next week?”
Your church can also help persons experiencing emotional distress.
Knowing that many feel ashamed, your church can explicitly welcome them and encourage them to talk about their struggles. Petitions for illness can include those in emotional distress. Teach everyone to speak with Christian compassion. Lead Bible studies about mental health problems, including reading Luther’s letters about them.
Such acts will declare forthrightly that your church is not afraid of mental illness, that it is not ashamed of those who struggle, and that it is open to talking about those struggles. Such actions will clearly proclaim to those in emotional distress, “We know you are here, and we welcome you with love.”
These are simple statements and gestures, but they will be profoundly helpful as we follow Christ’s command to us to “love one another” (John 13:34).
Dr. Stephen Saunders, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Schneider Endowed Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Marquette University. He is President of Our Father’s Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Greenfield, Wisconsin. He is author of the two-volume set, A Christian Guide to Mental Illness (Northwestern Publishing House). His book, Martin Luther on Mental Illness (Concordia Publishing House), was published in October, 2023. He will be the presenter at the 2024 Fall Conference at Lutheran Brethren Seminary.
Last weekend, Bob learned that the daughter of his golfing buddy, Daniel, had been hospitalized after a psychiatric crisis. Bob was unsure what to say. Rita was uncertain what to say to Caroline, a friend from church, after learning she had suffered from depression since college.
Mental health problems are difficult to talk about because we simply don’t do it much. As a result, we don’t always know what to think or what to say. Yet mental health problems are extremely common.
In any given year, about one in five persons, regardless of age, will experience a mental illness. Anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and trauma-induced disorders account for the majority of problems. The less common disorders include cognitive impairment, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. The disorders vary by age: children might experience severe anxiety when separated from parents, whereas Alzheimer’s primarily affects the elderly.
These figures mean that you know many who struggle with mental illness, but I would guess you do not know which particular individuals and families are struggling. That is because they have not told you. They potentially have not told anyone at their church because they worry about how others will react or they feel ashamed.
There are many disparaging ideas about mental illness. Some think that persons with mental illness are dangerous, or that the person—or their parents—must have done something wrong to cause the illness. Some think persons with mental health problems are weak—not strong enough to fight off or avoid the problem. Most tragically, some Christians say to themselves, “I am suffering because my faith is weak.”
Society’s attitudes toward mental health problems can cause the affected, whether an individual or a family, to suffer in silence. Contrast that to our openness about medical health, including prayers of supplication for the medically ill, spoken every service.
These attitudes stand in contrast to how Martin Luther thought and acted.
Luther personally experienced serious depression. We have many letters he wrote to friends discussing his or their mental health. His advice comprised three parts. As you review them now, I hope you are impressed to find that you already have the capacity to do what Luther did.
First, Luther was steadfast, kind, and compassionate. He was not afraid of the suffering of others, whether physical or emotional. He knew that mental and physical health problems alike were the result of the fallen world. You know this too and can talk openly and with sympathy with anyone about their experience. You can empathetically say to someone, “I’m sorry that is happening.” You can commiserate, “I know many who have gone through this.” You can thank them for sharing with you, and you can ask what you can do to help.
Second, Luther catechized. Knowing that Christ has paid for our sins, Luther did not blame the sufferer for their suffering. Luther noted that Abraham, Moses, Paul, and even Christ sometimes found life difficult. Luther would let none think that emotional struggles mean God has abandoned them. Quite the contrary, Christ assures us that we will struggle: “Take up your cross and follow me” (see Matt. 16:24). But Christ also assures us that he has won our victory over both illness and death, promising “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). You too can assure anyone suffering that God loves them.
Finally, Luther often gave very practical advice about thinking and behavior. Luther reminded persons to be wary of their thinking, especially when it is extremely negative. If you hear someone expressing negative thoughts, you can correct them. You can assure someone in emotional distress, “Others care greatly about you.” Be aware of their behavior, as such persons are vulnerable to isolating themselves, making depression and anxiety even worse. As Luther did, encourage them to be socially active and do fun things. Invite them to church events. At the least, encourage them to come to church every week, reminding them, “We love having you here!”
Keep in mind that Luther advised seeking professional help if it was needed. Do likewise, assuring the person that professionals can help, even if it might take a while to find the right counselor.
In practice, Bob can say to his friend, “I’m very sorry to hear what your daughter is going through. These problems are very common, but it must be very hard on you and your wife.” Likewise, can Rita say to Caroline, “Oh, I’m sorry you have struggled like that. I’m very grateful that you told me. Is there anything I can do? Would you like to go out for coffee next week?”
Your church can also help persons experiencing emotional distress.
Knowing that many feel ashamed, your church can explicitly welcome them and encourage them to talk about their struggles. Petitions for illness can include those in emotional distress. Teach everyone to speak with Christian compassion. Lead Bible studies about mental health problems, including reading Luther’s letters about them.
Such acts will declare forthrightly that your church is not afraid of mental illness, that it is not ashamed of those who struggle, and that it is open to talking about those struggles. Such actions will clearly proclaim to those in emotional distress, “We know you are here, and we welcome you with love.”
These are simple statements and gestures, but they will be profoundly helpful as we follow Christ’s command to us to “love one another” (John 13:34).
Dr. Stephen Saunders, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Schneider Endowed Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Marquette University. He is President of Our Father’s Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Greenfield, Wisconsin. He is author of the two-volume set, A Christian Guide to Mental Illness (Northwestern Publishing House). His book, Martin Luther on Mental Illness (Concordia Publishing House), was published in October, 2023. He will be the presenter at the 2024 Fall Conference at Lutheran Brethren Seminary.
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