Mental Health & Faith

We believe that God can heal and yet often we need to embrace all the human interventions and need to leave behind the stigma, too.

We asked hard questions to some insightful people within our Kensington community – we hope their responses resonate and encourage.

“The challenge with the idea of Christians pursuing therapy or mental health treatment is that they sometimes feel that it’s either Jesus OR mental health treatment that can aid in their healing. As if by pursuing therapy, they are not believing Jesus can help and heal. My belief is that holding them both together – Jesus AND mental health treatment – is where the optimal space for healing can exist. As a therapist who follows Jesus, when I get the opportunity to work with Christians, it’s beautiful to merge techniques, modalities, and faith that Jesus will and can work in those things.”
– Kathleen Frederiksen, LMSW, Hope & Healing Counseling Support and Birmingham campus attender

Q: Why is mental health a growing concern (or is it just no longer veiled)?

“I think it is both growing and more visible. The data clearly shows that mental health is increasing for multiple demographics, adolescents being the most concerning. I personally believe the breakdown of families and communities has contributed to increased mental health disorders. In decades past, extended family, neighbors, and church communities were more involved in supporting one another. If someone was sick, grieving, needed help repairing their car, looking for childcare for a day, low on food until the next paycheck, you could count on a neighbor, auntie, or church member to step in and help. Acts 2:42 in real life. This is not what our society looks like anymore. When you have no support system, fear and loneliness hit hard. This is the on-ramp to depression, anxiety, etc.

The internet, social media, and accessible technology have reduced the stigma surrounding mental illness by making it more visible … Documentaries, podcasts, and TedTalks have provided massive amounts of information regarding nearly every disorder. Reducing the stigma has opened the doors for people who were previously reticent to talk about their struggle with mental illness to now speak openly.
– Angela Cucullo, LLMSW, Help Bank Community Resources Director

“While there are environmental and social factors that play a role, as mental health is influenced by both nature and nurture, I believe the primary reason we see so much more talk about mental health is because the stigma around it has been lessened with each generation. Of course 24/7 access to the news on our phones can increase anxiety and depression, and social media can negatively impact those susceptible to an eating disorder, but we also have greater access to information about mental health that can encourage us to seek help and get a diagnosis. While mental health might appear to be a growing concern, the willingness to seek therapy has grown with it. Gen Z is significantly more likely to seek therapy than older generations; over 1/3 Gen Z and Millennials have received mental health treatment, compared to fewer than 1/4 Baby Boomers. Being able to put a name to our internal feelings and experiences turns a light on in the darkness, and creates a pathway to freedom and healing. The less stigma there is around mental health, the more willing people are to step into the light.”
– Tatiana Schmidt, Birmingham Worship Arts Director

“I think it’s growing. With the development of the internet and social forums there is an inability to escape places that harm the way we used to. Once upon a time (when I was growing up ) if a person was having problems they could physically remove themselves from the place or source of the issue. Or at least have a break from it when they got home after school. But the younger generation never leaves the digital sphere and can be accessed at all times – subject to harm or stressors and triggers in a way we weren’t.”
– Adam Karschner, Clinton Twp Lead Pastor 

Q: If God still heals, why do so many believers struggle with mental illness?

“Living in a society that is success-oriented, we can fall into the trap of thinking we should be able to measure our progress. We may view healing as a one-and-done thing, like being healed from the flu. When someone says they want to be healed of a mental illness, they are usually seeking a reduction or elimination of symptoms. I believe God can and does reduce and/or heal symptoms through prayer, safe community, education, therapy, and modern medicine. Stigma in faith communities surrounding the use of medication, professional therapy, and support groups has prevented many believers from accessing readily available help and prolonged their struggle.

A shift in the way we think about healing may be needed. Healing of the mind and heart is a non-linear process which may take a lifetime. Suffering is part of the human experience which can redirect us to rely on God, if we let it. God did not remove the thorn from Paul, but he was able to function in life by relying on God. (2 Corinthians 12)

The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy model is based upon a similar concept of accepting the symptoms and learning to function with them present. With the support from a skilled therapist, commitment to the process on the part of the patient, and a willingness to surrender the outcome to God, I believe a person can be freed from the limited, earth-bound definition of healing.
– Angela Cucullo, LLMSW, Help Bank Community Resources Director

“Such a good question – let me start with this thought. I have skin issues and there are times when foods or my environment make those worse. Because of that I have to remove myself from certain environments or change my behaviors in order to help my skin. In certain seasons what I must do seems extreme. Just because I am a believer and have the Holy Spirit in me does not make me exempt from the curse, its effects, and what it takes to get well.  The same is true in our mental health. Just as our body can hurt so can our brain, and what we would like to happen is for God to step in and make it go away – instant healing. However, just as He doesn’t always do that with our physical issues, He doesn’t always do that with our mental issues. Sometimes it takes hard work and time. And part of me thinks there might be certain challenges that will never be fully healed.  In the same way a person can have a permanent physical ailment or malformation, a person could also have an ongoing mental issue. Who knows, maybe Paul’s thorn was a mental illness.”
– Adam Karschner, Clinton Twp Lead Pastor

“The same could be said about cancer, fatal illnesses, etc… I think it’s a result of our fallen state within our fallen world … we are broken people living in a broken world… Total healing and wholeness isn’t promised this side of heaven.”
– Sam Anderson, Weekend Services Director

Q: Is anxiety a result of our experiences, environment, genetics, or our choices?

“All of the above. The newest research is discovering that genetics influence our response to stress. DNA actually changes when we are exposed to a traumatic situation and that changed DNA can be passed onto our children. They may respond to a perceived threat in the same way we did, even if they aren’t experiencing the exact same threat.
– Learn more here about genetics and stress: https://markwolynn.com/it-didnt-start-with-you/.

What does this mean? A person’s propensity to anxiety might be a genetic disposition. When you combine inherited susceptibility with new emotional stressors of our own, anxiety can hang on for generations unless we break the cycle.

I think our environment also plays a significant role in our mental health. One area of study that is really gaining traction is the connection between our mental health and the health of our gut microbiome. There are hundreds of studies on the gut microbiome. 
– Learn more about gut microbiome: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10384867/pdf/nutrients-15-03258.pdf
– Learn more about gut microbiome: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8560095/pdf/fp-38-08-356.pdf

The therapy practice of Internal Family Systems (IFS) would suggest that anxiety is a result of a negative experience. To avoid experiencing a repeated pain, our mind creates a protective part which attempts to prevent us from feeling the pain again. Hypervigilance, excessive worry, and rumination are anxiety’s go-to moves for avoiding potential danger. The Inside Out movies were developed using the IFS theory. Inside Out 2 is a great example of what happens when anxiety takes over the control board.
– Learn more about Inside Out movies: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/23/movies/inside-out-anxiety-adults.html

– Angela Cucullo, LLMSW, Help Bank Community Resources Director

Q: Is having a “sound mind” a choice? If I believe the Truth, will I be set free from emotional and mental bondage? (2 Tim 1:7, John 8:32)

“God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind. This verse makes it seem like a sound mind comes from the Lord. I think in some cases it can be a choice, but in other cases there are literal chemical imbalances in the brain – which is never a choice. Some mental and emotional bondage can be healed through our faith journey, but I truly believe some of our mental and emotional bondage needs to be worked through and coached through with medical professionals.
– Sam Anderson, Weekend Services Director

“The experiences, environment, genetics, and choices we make create an environment that makes achieving a sound mind easier or harder. For example: not too long ago I was taking in a certain type of media that was causing me to live in an anxious state (even fearful) but because I am good at hiding what’s going on inside my head no one knew – not even me. But then my body manifested what was happening in my head. When I started removing the cause of my anxiety and replacing it with what was beneficial, my mental state started to change. That was a situation I could control but what about a kid who can’t get away from an abusive family member? There are lots of circumstances that impact our mental health…

Hearing and believing the Truth is important, but I would argue that in times of crisis, a person needs more than just ‘believing the truth.’ They need tools and support.”
– Adam Karschner, Clinton Twp Lead Pastor

“In some cases, yes … Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is based upon the concept that our thoughts influence our feelings and our actions …

Isn’t this also the definition of God’s grace? He offers us compassion, forgiveness and love. I think that self-compassion, or self-grace, promotes genuine repentance, personal growth, and ultimately cultivates peace that passes all understanding – the truest form of emotional regulation. How we talk to ourselves most definitely impacts our feelings of wellbeing.

However, some mental health conditions make a person more likely to have unrelenting and/or uncontrollable thoughts like anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc. These conditions can be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Research shows that a combination of medication and therapy are effective treatments. 

Finally, some disorders produce symptoms that are not within the control of the person whatsoever. Visual and auditory hallucinations are symptoms for numerous conditions and should be evaluated by a physician.”
– Angela Cucullo, LLMSW, Help Bank Community Resources Director

Q: Does God want us to be whole?

“ABSOLUTELY! Shalom, (Hebrew: שָׁלוֹם šālōm), or peace is a biblical concept that carries so much meaning, including wholeness, completeness, and perfection. If God’s desire is shalom for all of creation, that includes us!- – Learn more here about shalom:https://youtu.be/oLYORLZOaZE?si=2ItTlKCQ5PHpT72u
– Sam Anderson, Weekend Services Director

“God wants us to be whole. Yet, we must choose to heal. And then we must choose to trust that if we do what God asks us to do, there will be positive changes toward wholeness. For some, the first step is forgiveness. Unforgiveness keeps us bitter, isolated, and suffering. We don’t need to deny our pain, but we need to let go. God won’t let go – He will contend on our behalf. Wholeness in God begins with trusting that He has us.”
– Rebecca Sassak, Discipleship Director

Q: What would you say to those who feel their mental health challenges are at odds with (or obstacles to) their spiritual growth?

“I would probably say that you are right… we ALL have obstacles that are in opposition to our faith journey. For some it’s mental health, for others it’s physical health, for others it’s addiction, for others it’s environmental, for others it’s relational. We all have difficulties we must face and battle as we pursue spiritual growth.”
– Sam Anderson, Weekend Services Director

“I’d tell them they are right. Jesus tells us Satan is a liar. It’s one of the weapons he frequently uses against humanity. A lie is not an attack on us physically, it’s a mental assault, and it’s effective—that’s why he does it. If we recognize that reality, we can set ourselves up to respond well or better to those attacks. If we listen to those lies, we allow them to become a part of what defines us. We can’t live well mentally (spiritually) when we constantly believe the enemy’s lies about us. That’s why we need to remember and hold fast to what Jesus said and what Jesus said about us.”
– Adam Karschner, Clinton Twp Lead Pastor

“Trust in God instead of yourself. If you can trust what God did for others and believe that He can do it for you too, God can use your situation for good. No matter what you’ve been through, or currently face, only God is able to take the mess and turn it into something for your good or the good of others. Mental/physical healing and spiritual growth can coexist.”
– Rebecca Sassak, Discipleship Director

Q: How should we respond to those around us who are struggling?

“Seek to understand, and take the initiative to learn about their specific mental illness. For example, if you know someone who struggles with OCD, read scholarly articles, follow therapists on social media who talk about OCD. This can take some pressure off of a person to explain everything. If it feels appropriate, ask how you can support them. Be someone who listens with empathy, who doesn’t try to rationalize or explain away what they’re feeling and experiencing. Respect their boundaries, even if they seem strange to you. Someone recovering from an eating disorder might struggle with mentions of diets and weight loss, so be gentle and mindful of what you say. I always love how Jesus met people where they were. Thomas, in his doubt, had Jesus draw him closer to touch his wounds as he struggled with belief in the resurrection  (John 20:24-29).”
– Tatiana Schmidt, Birmingham Worship Arts Director

Knowing how to refer a person to the appropriate professional resources can be a real practical help to a person who is struggling. The pre-frontal cortex of our brain goes “offline” temporarily when we are experiencing uncontrollable stress. This means that we cannot plan well or make thoughtful decisions. Having someone guide you through the process of getting help takes the confusion and fear out of the “next steps”. This increases the likelihood the person will reach out to a professional for assistance.”

– Learn more here about the brain going ‘offline’: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6562841/#:~:text=The%20newly%20evolved%20prefrontal%20cortex,with%20post%2Dtraumatic%20stress%20disorder

– Learn more here about how your brain responds to stress (for kids): https://open.spotify.com/track/4l12JtRy9YKe5BIohyD1qa?si=afab24755a594528

– Learn more about Fight-Flight-Freeze-Fawn response (for kids): https://youtu.be/GQSfW4xrKSk?si=Ll7NahUTatTRYbMw
– Angela Cucullo, LLMSW, Help Bank Community Resources Director

“Everyone experiences pain; no one is immune. Respond to those who are suffering with love. We see this in God: He doesn’t always respond to our suffering by removing “the thorn” or promising it will go away, but by caring for us in the pain. By showing up, we demonstrate the love of Jesus. Instead of shying away from the struggling because we cannot “fix it”, just show up and love like God loves.”
– Rebecca Sassak, Discipleship Director

Are you in a hard season? Kensington has ongoing Care Initiatives and resources to help you. Learn more at kensingtonchurch.org/care.

• I am in crisis and need help immediately. 

Call 988 or 911.

• I need to talk with someone to help me determine next steps and what resources are available to me.

Call a Campus Care Provider during business hours at 248.786.0600 (Traverse City:  231.922.9882)

• I want to overcome a hurt or habit and be with others who understand. 

Check out Celebrate Recovery at kensingtonchurch.org/care.

• I need someone from the church to be present with me and help me process this difficult season. 

Contact our Pastoral Care team at kensingtonchurch.org/pastoralcare.