A loving and beloved husband and father, he had recently faced a huge personal crisis and was seeking spiritual guidance from a compassionate clergy with thirty years in the ministry. Two days later, he was dead.
“He told me straight out he was depressed,” recalled the stunned pastor, “I didn’t think I needed to ask if he was considering suicide. I thought if he was able to recognize and admit depression, he was on his way to recovery and would be okay.”
At the same time the church rallied around that family with support and love, they also spoke in hushed tones about cause of death – if they mentioned it at all. And I, who had a depressed husband at home, began a slow quest to empathize with and support people who I knew were living with emotional pain. . ... READ MORE
“He told me straight out he was depressed,” recalled the stunned pastor, “I didn’t think I needed to ask if he was considering suicide. I thought if he was able to recognize and admit depression, he was on his way to recovery and would be okay.”
At the same time the church rallied around that family with support and love, they also spoke in hushed tones about cause of death – if they mentioned it at all. And I, who had a depressed husband at home, began a slow quest to empathize with and support people who I knew were living with emotional pain. . ... READ MORE
About Clergy Reflections on Mental Health
Clergy Reflections on Mental Health is an interfaith blog that offers wisdom, encouragement, and motivation for faith communities. The Clergy Blog Task Force allows clergy to share their connection to mental health through their stories and ministry experiences.
* Our mission is to offer multiple perspectives on how faith communities can reduce stigma around mental health and offer hope for all.
* Contributors provide examples and ideas of how our different faith communities address our mental health challenges, navigating crucial topics each month.
* The written experiences that our clergy contributors share allow other faith leaders to hopefully feel less alone in dealing with mental health issues.
Visit and SUBSCRIBE at https://clergymhblog.blogspot.com/
We are always seeking fresh voices. To volunteer to author a posting, or for more information on participating in the planning process, please contact krishasong@gmail.com or ABrundle@naminc.org
* Our mission is to offer multiple perspectives on how faith communities can reduce stigma around mental health and offer hope for all.
* Contributors provide examples and ideas of how our different faith communities address our mental health challenges, navigating crucial topics each month.
* The written experiences that our clergy contributors share allow other faith leaders to hopefully feel less alone in dealing with mental health issues.
Visit and SUBSCRIBE at https://clergymhblog.blogspot.com/
- Send comments and/or questions to: ClergyMHBlog@gmail.com
We are always seeking fresh voices. To volunteer to author a posting, or for more information on participating in the planning process, please contact krishasong@gmail.com or ABrundle@naminc.org
Our Committee:
The Rev. Amy Brundle, M.Div.
Marketing & Communications Manager, NAMI North Carolina
Paul Burgess, BA, M. Div, D. Min
Minister
The Rev. Beth Cantrell
Clergy-at-Large
The Rev. Dr. Garry J. Crites
Clergy-at-Large
Deby Dihoff, BA Theology/Psychology; MA Special Education; Post Graduate Learning Disabilities
Retired Executive Director NAMI NC
The Rev. Barbara Elder
Clergy-at-Large
Warren Kinghorn, MD, ThD
Psychiatrist, Theologian, Duke University Medical Center and Duke Divinity School
Krisha Miller
Faith Connections on Mental Illness Board Member
The Rev. Amy Brundle, M.Div.
Marketing & Communications Manager, NAMI North Carolina
Paul Burgess, BA, M. Div, D. Min
Minister
The Rev. Beth Cantrell
Clergy-at-Large
The Rev. Dr. Garry J. Crites
Clergy-at-Large
Deby Dihoff, BA Theology/Psychology; MA Special Education; Post Graduate Learning Disabilities
Retired Executive Director NAMI NC
The Rev. Barbara Elder
Clergy-at-Large
Warren Kinghorn, MD, ThD
Psychiatrist, Theologian, Duke University Medical Center and Duke Divinity School
Krisha Miller
Faith Connections on Mental Illness Board Member