Mental Health Inclusion Ministry

The Mission Field Just Outside Your Door

Stephen Grcevich, MDPresident and Founder, Key Ministry

Presented at Ironbridge Baptist ChurchChester, Virginia

November 19, 2016

Building a bridge between two worlds…

The mission field just outside your door

Among U.S. children and teens…22% identified with at least one mental disorder11% have been prescribed ADHD medication8-12% of teens experience anxiety disorders13% identified with developmental disordersOne in 68 are diagnosed with autism – the majority of average/superior intelligence!

The mission field just outside your door

Among U.S. adults in 201443.6 million experienced mental illness6.6% experienced depression (8.2% of women)18.1% experienced at least one anxiety disorder4.1% had ADHD (1.7% are considered severe)9.5% had a mood disorder9.1% had a personality disorder

Source: National Institute of Mental Health

A different way of thinking about mental health

ministry…How do we connect churches and families

impacted by mental illness for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ?

Why mental illness is different from other disabilitiesWhy church participation is difficultWhat would a model for mental health inclusion ministry look like?

How we understand disability in the churchDisability Ministry

Special Needs Ministry

Is a disability a disability if someone is disabled some of the

time?

How might church culture and the environments in which we “do ministry”

cause disability?

“It is our culture that disables.”

“When one is disabled, the problem is not really that they have impairments and social skill deficits. The issue at stake is that they live in an ‘ableist’ culture that rarely affords them the space or opportunity to make their unique contribution to society and does not lift up the value of choosing them as friends.”

Ben Conner - Amplifying Our Witness (2012)

Seven Barriers to Church Participation for Children and Adults with Mental Illness and Their Families Social isolation Anxiety Social

communication Capacity for self-

control Sensory

processing Stigma/reluctance

to self-identify Family history of

mental illness

Social isolation as a barrier…HOW DO FAMILIES FIND YOUR CHURCH IF THEY DON’T CONNECT WITH FAMILIES ATTENDING YOUR CHURCH?

• Kids may be less desirable as friends

• Less involvement in extracurricular activities

• Financial burdens from lost productivity, treatment costs

• Parents struggle to find child care

• The experience of mental illness is often socially isolating

Anxiety as a barrier…CORE DIFFERENCE: PEOPLE WITH ANXIETY OFTEN MISPERCEIVE RISK IN UNFAMILIAR SITUATIONS

• Social anxiety• Separation anxiety• Agoraphobia

Fears specific to church:• Fear of scrutiny• Performance worries• Anxiety results from

lack of faith

Social communication as a barrier…WHAT CHALLENGES MIGHT SOMEONE ENCOUNTER AT CHURCH IF THEY STRUGGLE TO PICK UP ON SOCIAL CUES?

• Body language• Tone, inflection of voice• Facial expressions

Church-specific challenges:• Small groups• Small talk• Bullies• Unfamiliar situations

Self-control as a barrier…EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING WEAKNESS IS A COMMON FEATURE OF MENTAL ILLNESS

• Impulse control• Problem-solving• Emotional self-

regulation• Following directions• Difficulty delaying

gratification

We often refer to the resulting behavior patterns as “sin.”

Sensory processing as a barrier…KIDS AND ADULTS WITH SENSORY PROCESSING DIFFERENCES MAY EXPERIENCE AS AVERSIVE NOISE, LIGHT, TOUCH AND SMELLS THAT OTHERS FIND ENGAGING

Challenges for kids:Pick up and drop-off times High energy worship

Challenges for adults:Greeting times (hugging, handshakes)High-energy worshipMultiple conversations in close proximity

Stigma as a barrier…WHAT THEN IS WRONG WITH THE “MENTALLY ILL?” THEIR PROBLEM IS AUTOGENIC; IT IS WITHIN THEMSELVES.

Jay Adams

• Mental illness defined as sin, or a parenting problem

• Widespread perception they’re not welcome at church

• If it’s not a disability, why would disability ministry serve them?

• Kids and adults DON’T want to be treated differently

Parents with mental illness as a barrier…THE APPLE OFTEN DOESN’T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE!

• Multigenerational issue• Parent who couldn’t go

to church have kids with no experience of church

• Kids depend on parents for transportation

• Parents struggle with executive functioning too!

• Inconsistent attenders?

What might an effective ministry strategy look like?

A mindset, not a programApplicable to churches of all sizes, denominations

Designed to minimize the need for persons served to self-identify

Resources devoted to inclusion in ministries, activities most critical to spiritual growthNo church can serve every person affected by mental illness, but every church can serve more children and adults with mental illness!

Taking the next step…Explore seven strategies for promoting mental health inclusion.

Join an ongoing group of colleagues seeking to promote mental health outreach and inclusion.

Connect with OutsideIn Ministries and Key Ministry