Mental Health: The Importance Of Authentic Community

A key purpose of church small groups (or discipleship groups) is to help members grow in the likeness of Christ in spirit, soul and body. These small groups can be beneficial to those struggling with mental illnesses in addition to professional counselling or other treatments, where necessary. 

While small groups are not counselling support groups, they can serve as safe spaces to explore and learn the truth of God’s Word and character.  This can provide hope, encouragement and support, not only to those who are mentally unwell but, to anyone who is journeying through life’s challenges as a disciple of Christ. 

Beyond skimming the surface

A common pitfall of small groups in helping people struggling with mental health issues is this: using scripture as a form of positive psychology or band-aid without validating the struggling person’s emotions. This may unintentionally result in a person feeling bad for their lack of faith, especially if they are feeling much pain and hopelessness.

An example would be telling someone who is struggling with depression to “rejoice always” (1 These 5:16-18) and that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). 

While these may be encouraging truths, sensitivity and discernment is needed to speak the truth in love and at the right time. Sometimes what is needed is a safe space for grief where pain, anger and sadness can be expressed to the Lord in a raw and honest form.

This ensures that we do not use scripture merely as a band aid to cover surface wounds and fail to let God heal deeply but, instead, exacerbate the head-heart disconnect. When we give space to honour our authentic feelings, we are in touch with ourselves and, hence, able to connect deeply with God. 

Being authentic with God

The Word has power to renew our minds. As we meditate on the Word, we also need to connect with God by expressing our emotions authentically. This includes both positive and, especially, painful and negative emotions.

We can learn from the authenticity of David who was called a man after God’s heart. In his psalms, he expressed anger, pain, disappointment and fear as openly and frequently as praise, trust and love for God.

This is the kind of authenticity that a discipler needs to model for his disciples, similarly for a small group leader to his/her members. Authenticity creates a safe space for discipling and an environment where God can heal and transform. 

Jason*, a full-time Christian vocational worker whom I journeyed with, shares how God worked in the midst of his pain, “The grieving process, so often overlooked and undermined, has power in nursing the deepest hurts. The Lord taught me patience and vulnerability. Instead of hiding, I learnt to yield to His leading and allow the counselling process to catalyse grieving in my heart. I've struggled with resting in the identity of being God's beloved.

“I sought external achievements to define my identity and self-worth. As such, my personal life, ministry and relationship, had been affected by my hyper-sensitivity and defensiveness. While I had been praying earnestly to be fruitful in ministry, be it at work or church, the Lord revealed that the exemplifying the Fruit of the Spirit takes precedence.”

(*not his real name)

Power of prayer and the Word for members facing depression

When small group members are in touch with, rather than avoiding, repressing or numbing, their emotions, we can encourage them to turn to prayer and the Word to help them through depression. This has to be done in a discerning and timely manner as it would be counterproductive for someone unprepared. In the appropriate context, prayer and meditation on scripture and God’s truth is effective and helpful. There is power in God’s Word and presence to renew our minds and heal our emotions, heart and soul.

Being a safe community

I have seen how an authentic community can support a person powerfully. A client that I had counselled was tragically raped and dealing with post-traumatic stress. This client’s resilience moved me.  She progressed very well in counselling and, at the same time, I saw how the safe and authentic community she was in contributed significantly to her healing and recovery.

Her friends from her discipleship group made themselves available to support her emotionally and in practical ways. I was touched by how different friends made themselves available to spend time with her as she went through her grief.

This client shared, “I think having a safe and authentic community helps me to know that I am not being judged for what I went through as I learnt to accept myself. They were willing to offer help when I needed, and accompany me when I was afraid of being alone many times during that period.”

Authentic Christ-like communities are the best vaccine against depression. As Paul exhorts, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). When we have safe communities to share our struggles and challenges, we receive support that provides hope and love against a spirit of despondency and feelings of isolation.

Some practical ways to create a safe community:

Dos

• Listen deeply with a heart of curiosity & compassion
• Communicate empathy by validating a person’s emotions
• Communicate your acceptance instead of trying to provide "fixes"
• Be non-judgemental
• Respond in a supportive manner
• Keep confidentiality (except in the event of someone having suicidal thoughts and the person's safety is at risk)
• Meet practical needs. Ask what support is needed and, where necessary, provide direction to relevant resources 
• Encourage vulnerability in sharing
• Be intentional in having deeper conversations of the heart
• Demonstrate forgiveness
• Be available to spend time in fellowship
• Show hospitality, and inclusivity by being accepting of differences
• Recognise and affirm positive contributions to the group

Don'ts 

• Make assumptions about another’s experience without first listening and understanding the full context of what a person is going through
• Engage in spiritual bypassing by using spiritual ideas and practices to avoid facing unresolved emotional issues, psychological wounds and unfinished developmental tasks. This could include giving advice like, “You must not be sad, God has given you so much, you ought to be grateful”, “God forgave you, so you should just forgive and turn the other cheek”, and “Don’t be depressed, pray more and faith will arise”.
• Gossip, talk behind other’s back, share what has been said in confidence
• Ask for someone’s prayer requests out of curiosity – be concerned and committed to intercede
• Avoid conflict – deal with conflict maturely