Let’s Talk About Mental Health Out of the Cave - Part 1 April 7, 2024 Some of the topics we will cover in this series: Anxiety Depression Burn out Suicide (April 28) Mental health struggles are real and important. NIMH: Over 1 in 5 adults live with a mental health disorder. CDC: In 2021, 42% of high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. When we struggle with a mental health challenge, we don’t need to be ashamed. Not talking about it is not helping. NAMI: On average, Americans take 11 years to seek help for mental health issues. The Bible demonstrates that mental health struggles are real. “I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears.” Psalm 6:6 (NLT) “How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day?” Psalm 13:2 (NLT) “Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me. I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me.” Psalm 69:2-3 (NLT) Great people of faith are honest about their mental health. It is not a sin to struggle with mental health. People with mental health challenges are some of the strongest christians I know. 3 Goals for This Series: #1 - We begin to destigmatize mental health challenges “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (NLT) The goal is not to have a burden-free church. The goal is to have a church where people are free to share their burdens. #2 - We learn to extend grace to our fellow strugglers We all walk with a limp. The Bayou Church is a place where it’s ok to not be ok. #3 - We believe there is hope! Your mental health struggle doesn’t have to define you. You are not your struggle. You are who God says you are. Resources available to you: Your Heavenly Father, His Son, His Spirit, His Word, Prayer Doctors and counselors Medicine Your church family Encouragers and prayer team Powerful ministries like Celebrate Recovery Variables we can influence, ie: food, sleep, exercise, nature, screens, community, spiritual disciplines Mental health struggles are multifaceted needs that need a multifaceted approach. No one can help you bear what you’re not willing to share. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 (NLT) thebayouchurch.org/survey