Mental Health Affects Everyone, Even Your Church

For many, the pandemic upended life as we once knew it. Work-life balance took on a new meaning, with working from home becoming the new norm. The ability to travel and visit with family and friends became a luxury. Traditional and social media were dominated by discussions of masking, vaccinations, and treatment protocol. But there were positive consequences as well, namely a heightened level of discussion and transparency regarding mental health.

What was previously taboo or discussed only in whispers was now expressed openly by celebrities, sports figures, and elected officials. Anxiety, depression, substance use, and the like became topics of dramatically increased interest. But from awareness of mental health issues quickly sprang the challenge of finding help and treatment. Where to turn? What does treatment look like? How much does it cost? Can I use my health insurance? Are services confidential?

Every church is a trusted spiritual partner, not just to their members but to the broader community. For many, the neighborhood church is the first place to turn when in crisis. This is certainly the case for mental health concerns. And given the current mental health crisis, it’s no surprise that churches are literally on the front lines -- whether they are prepared or not. Unfortunately, very few churches are equipped to provide even the most basic mental health support services.

When members of our congregations are hurting, we all suffer. We feel responsible for each other. Beacon of Light is designed for churches and is grounded in the understanding that real community, grace, and transformation are experienced when we come together to help one another. Beacon of Light is a unique approach to mental health support that does just that.

Beacon of Light was born out of St. Andrew Methodist Church’s challenge of reacting to mental health crisis among its members rather than having in place a comprehensive mental health strategy. Tired of playing defense, church leaders launched Beacon of Light as a comprehensive, proactive mental health approach. Based off the success within the St. Andrew community, Beacon of Light is developing a proprietary strategy and framework that will equip churches around the country to be proactive mental health inclusive church communities.

In the coming months we’ll introduce curriculum designed specifically for churches that will help them become more aware of the mental health needs of their communities. We’ll offer training, education, awareness, communications, and treatment resources. Importantly, we’ll package this with a ‘playbook’ providing step-by-step guidance on how to support your congregation.

Beacon of Light is rooted in faith to be a reliable resource for both churches and individuals seeking solutions developed by clinical professionals with a Christ-centered perspective. We help navigate the mental health landscape by calling for supportive and prayerful community, extending biblical grace and adopting a new perspective as a new creation in Christ.