If you or someone you know is in crisis,
call or text 988
The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
or visit them on the web
988lifeline.orgThis service is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are confidential.
It is important to note that suicide is not a normal response to stress. Suicidal thoughts or actions are a sign of extreme distress and should not be ignored. If these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, get help as soon as possible, particularly if the behavior is new or has increased recently.
Needing help and living in North Dallas or Colin County area?
For those in North Dallas & Collin County area seeking local mental health counseling services, learn more
Sample the free course on suicide intervention
Complete and submit this form and you will receive an email within 1-2 business days inviting you to access the Beacon of Light online learning portal and the free course, Providing a Lifeline.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
“So, Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."
—Ephesians 4:11-12
—Ephesians 4:11-12
Discover the Essentials of Mental Health Care
Get started here.
In accordance with Ephesians 4:12, our role as church leaders is to equip and empower our congregation with the ultimate goal of building up the body of Christ. This sacred responsibility calls us to nurture not only the spiritual but also the mental and emotional needs of our church members.
Yet, we recognize as pastors and church leaders, you are not called to be a mental health professional, nor should you. At Beacon of Light, we want to simply help you be informed of some mental health basics and determine how prepared you are as a church to address the mental health needs of your congregation. To get you started, explore the following resources:
Yet, we recognize as pastors and church leaders, you are not called to be a mental health professional, nor should you. At Beacon of Light, we want to simply help you be informed of some mental health basics and determine how prepared you are as a church to address the mental health needs of your congregation. To get you started, explore the following resources:
Mental Health Tips & Resources
Is Your Church Mental Health Ready? Take the Quiz
Identify if your church is prepared to meet your community’s mental health challenges by answering these nine questions:
Do you know what to do should a church member reach out and request help with a mental issue for themselves or a loved one?
Do you know what to do should a church member reach out and request help with a mental issue for themselves or a loved one?
Do you know what to do should a church member reach out and request help with a mental issue for themselves or a loved one?
Do you know what to do should a church member reach out and request help with a mental issue for themselves or a loved one?
Do you know what to do should a church member reach out and request help with a mental issue for themselves or a loved one?
Do you know what to do should a church member reach out and request help with a mental issue for themselves or a loved one?
Do you know what to do should a church member reach out and request help with a mental issue for themselves or a loved one?
Do you know what to do should a church member reach out and request help with a mental issue for themselves or a loved one?
Dispelling Christian Myths about Mental Illness
In today's world, we are all influenced by various opinions and misconceptions about mental health. It is important to address and clarify some of the common myths found within our faith communities. Explore this list of prevalent myths and the corresponding truths that challenge each one.
MYTH
Mental illness doesn’t exist.
TRUTH
More than 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. live with a mental illness. In 2021, an estimated 57.8 million adults had a mental illness.
No one will understand—I’m the
only one with depression (anxiety,
eating disorder, etc.).
only one with depression (anxiety,
eating disorder, etc.).
Nearly 20% of young people ages 3-17 in the U.S. have a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder. Suicidal behaviors among high school students increased more than 40% in the decade before 2019. (NIH)
Depression (anxiety, addiction, etc.) is indicative of weak faith.
Depression is a serious illness that affects brain chemistry and neural pathways.
Mental illness is a sign of
a moral failure.
a moral failure.
Mental illness impacts people from all walks of life, cultures, faiths, socioeconomic status, genders, ages, races and ethnicities.
One can simply ‘pray it away’ as a cure to mental health challenges.
While prayer is a powerful tool to one’s faith and spirituality and can be a healthy coping strategy for mental health challenges, there are many proven treatment modalities to address mental health concerns.
People with mental health challenges are unfit to be pastors or clergy.
While mental illness and mental health challenges can be difficult to experience, they are treatable, and many can be cured through therapy, medication and alternative treatments.
Mental illness is punishment for my sins.
As believers in Jesus, we know that his death on the cross paid the price for our sins and his resurrection creates a new life for us in Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:14 states that “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died.”
1 Thessalonians 4:14 states that “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died.”
Words Are Important: What to Say and Not to Say
Words matter.
They are powerful and can be a source of encouragement or discouragement. This list of words and phrases is helpful to keep in mind when conversing with a person or about a person dealing with mental health challenges.
As scripture reminds us, we are to love one another, and “we love because He first loved us”. Let us be mindful to love well through our words and our speech.
As scripture reminds us, we are to love one another, and “we love because He first loved us”. Let us be mindful to love well through our words and our speech.
Say
.svg)
Don’t Say
She is living with or has a diagnosed mental illness
She is living with or has a diagnosed mental illness
He struggles with anxiety
He’s an anxious person
She’s a worry wart
She’s a worry wart
Mental illness is a medical condition
Mental illness is an excuse; they just need to have more discipline
Mental illness is a behavior problem; they need to make better choices
Mental illness is a behavior problem; they need to make better choices
They have a substance use disorder or
suffer from alcoholism
They are an addict, junkie, druggie, alcoholic
Trauma survivor
Trauma victim
Died by suicide
Took their own life
Lost their battle to mental illness
Took their own life
Lost their battle to mental illness
Committed suicide
Survived a suicide attempt or attempted suicide
Failed or unsuccessful attempted suicide
Understanding 12 Mental Health Conditions
God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet...
and will always shed light on how we minister to those with mental health struggles. These verses will get you started to speak truth and encouragement over others.
.png)
Anxiety
Depression
Healing
.png)
Compassion
.png)
Strength
Stay rooted in Christ and you will find strength.
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”—Colossians 2:6-7
“The Lord is my strength and my might, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God and I will exalt him.”—Exodus 15:2
God will hold us through all our struggles.
“Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”—Exodus 15:2
God will hold us through all our struggles.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”—Psalms 73:26
“The Lord is my strength and my might, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God and I will exalt him.”—Exodus 15:2
God will hold us through all our struggles.
“Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”—Exodus 15:2
God will hold us through all our struggles.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”—Psalms 73:26
Scripture Resources for Addressing Mental Health
We can help no matter
what you are dealing with.
what you are dealing with.
Select a mental health condition to learn more. Read about causes, symptoms, statistics, and ways to manage each condition.
Ready to Learn More?
Mental health is a multifaceted topic, and we're grateful you're taking the time to explore it. Whether you're just beginning your journey or looking to share valuable insights, we offer resources to help at every stage.
- Expand your personal knowledge
- Support a friend in need
- Engage your community, including pastors or mentors
Explore these additional resources to deepen your understanding.
* for the North Dallas/Colin County area
Interested in joining us on this journey?
Become a Beacon of Light church partner.
Empower your church with the tools to make a positive impact in the lives of those around you, fostering a more compassionate and supportive community.
Learn About Our Church Partner Program
Beacon of Light is a 501(c)3 organization. All contributions are tax-deductible.Federal ID #93-3723580.