African Americans experiencing psychological distress are more likely to seek help from a trusted clergy leader than any other group, and yet the Black Church is still lagging behind when it comes to mental health support. Pastors and ministry leaders are sadly still offering those experiencing mental health challenges quick solutions like "more prayer" and Scripture reading. Offering simple solutions to pressing issues perpetuates stigma and misconception of mental illness as a spiritual problem, due to lack of awareness.
So what do we do when "praying more" is not enough? Clergy leaders lacking basic knowledge of mental health should not attempt mental health counseling beyond offering referral services. African Americans have a difficult time finding mental health providers that align with
the Christian faith and support their values and attitudes.
Mental Health Care at Church and Beyond offers best practices on how to engage African Americans through collaboration with faith-based organizations and mental health providers to decrease stigma, develop cultural competency, and improve access to mental health care. In addition, the author provides theological and sound evidence of mental health examples in the Bible.
Essentially, Mental Health Care at Church and Beyond acknowledges the role of the Black Church as a pillar in the African-American community and the necessity of life-affirming messages from the pulpit for African Americans and the broader community. This is a brilliant piece of work with the promise of providing help and facilitating healing for African Americans and the community-at-large.
-- Jameisha (Meisha) Brown,
Ph.D. (c), M.S., CHES, Health Minister
My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9
The confluence of faith and mental health is complex and unique to each individual. Giving God all the glory for our well-being does not relieve the faith community of its responsibility to address mental wellness. To the contrary, God calls us to build on the unique strengths of churches and church leaders to identify the need for behavioral resources and refer congregants (and pastoral leaders) to those local treatment providers and recovery support services that make us perfect in weakness. This book is a heartfelt call for an open conversation about perfection in weakness. Here, the reader will find the evidence-based approach and the action plan outline to address mental health recovery and wellness in our own congregations. LifeSteps has plans to launch a peer recovery support program, and this book will be an important part of understanding diversity when coaching people on their path to recovery.
-- Laurie Born, MPAff, ACPS, Executive Director,
LifeSteps Council on Alcohol and Drugs
Dr. Reese serves is a beautiful model of a safe sanctuary for all. In Mental Health Care at Church and Beyond, he educates and equips congregations to engage in mental health ministry. He recognizes the critical role that churches play in the rural and African American experience and the urgent need to equip them to heal rather than hurt. He uses the Word of God to show divine evidence of mercy and tenderness for persons with mental illness. It is a call to action for churches to offer humanity and grace to persons experiencing mental illness and their family members. With that call, Dr. Reese extends his hand and offers the reader tools to answer that call.
-- Jennie Birkholz, Principal,
Breakwater Light, Texas Faith and Health Network
