Mental Health and Your Church by Helen Thorne and Dr Steve Midgley

 


How long is Mental Health and Your Church?

Mental Health and Your Church is 188 pages long.

Is Mental Health and Your Church easy to read?

This is a very straightforward book to read considering the topic. Firstly, the printed text is presented pleasantly. Secondly, it is divided nicely into even and well-structured chapters. Thirdly, the authors completely minimise any technical language.

What will I get out of reading Mental Health and Your Church?

To condense the authors’ own afterword: ‘It is our conviction that the calling to care is for the whole congregation of God’s people, and not just pastoral professionals or specialists. This book won’t equip you for every situation, but we do hope it will encourage some to move toward those who struggle when previously you might have moved away.’

The first section of the book is all about understanding. In particular, what mental illness is, and how we can understand the world of mental health from a Christian perspective. The second section is pastorally focussed and suggests various ways that church members can develop their support for those who are struggling such as improving their awareness of a particular issue. The third section is five well-developed case studies on major mental health considerations such as depression and anxiety. In each, the authors consider how a church could support these individuals.

Is Mental Health and Your Church good?

Thorne and Midgley write from a depth of biblical wisdom and pastoral love. There is much that can be learnt from this book on the important and growing issue of mental illness. And you will learn something. This book provides a well-rounded, broad, deep and yet undemanding introduction to a complex subject.

This is a perfect book to read and discuss with others. The authors include questions for reflection in the first two sections and these really help to practically apply the wisdom of the book to yourself and your church.

Even if you yourself do not struggle with mental health concerns, you will know someone who does. Or, you will know someone who is shouldering the burdens of someone who is. That’s what makes an uncomplicated book like this so valuable. Mental health should not be an “us and them” scenario. Churches should be the most compassionate places on the planet, and this is a great resource to engage with our own response or our church’s response to these matters.


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