Author: Dr. Alicia Granholm, Senior Director, Faith+Lead
We recently launched God and Mental Health Challenges, a self-paced course that explores the ways faith can shape how we approach mental health—and thanks to a generous donor passionate about mental health in church communities, we are able to offer the course at no cost.
The course explores:
- Viewing mental health from a faith perspective and recognizing God’s presence, even in the most overwhelming struggles.
- How to offer care to others dealing with anxiety, depression, or simply life’s daily stresses.
A practical look at mental health challenges in our communities, with a focus on listening, supporting, and knowing when professional help is the next best step.
The world—and our faith communities—are in the midst of a mental health crisis. Being a “good Christian” doesn’t shield anyone from facing emotional and mental struggles, and that’s nothing new; even the prophet Elijah found himself in the depths of depression.
So, what difference does faith make when it comes to mental health?
It transforms how we respond. We are called to walk with our neighbors through their valleys, to break down stigmas and misconceptions, to listen deeply, and to nurture spiritual hope.
If you need support navigating the overwhelming frontlines of mental health challenges in your community, “God and Mental Health Challenges” was created to provide you with the tools you need!
And thanks to a generous donor with a passion for mental health in church communities, we are able to offer this course at no cost.
What You’ll Learn
- How to think theologically about mental health, recognizing the image of God in everyone and nurturing hope for recovery.
- What it means to care for others—and yourself—during today’s mental health crisis.
- Thorough, practical definitions and skills for supporting others with specific mental health challenges, like depression and dementia.
- How spiritual and medical perspectives on mental health intersect.
- The value of deep listening and other best practices and resources for caregivers.
- Why the spiritual practice of lament matters today.
- Clear processes for identifying when professional help is necessary.
- How stigmas pervade our culture—and what we can do to combat them.
Formation 