I just finished reading Mental Health and the Church, by Stephen Grcevich. I wish all church leaders would read it, if for no other reason than to realize that every person experiences church activities somewhat differently, and those with mental health challenges may struggle with things that the average church member takes for granted. The author notes:
“The hidden nature of most mental health-related disabilities often leads to situations at church in which volunteers and church staff with good intentions inadvertently cause embarrassment or discomfort.”
For example, those with social anxiety may be very uncomfortable with greeting times or socializing after the service. Unfamiliar situations may create overwhelming anxiety for children and adults. Those who struggle with depression may tend to isolate themselves because they don’t have the energy to engage. Some people may be very reluctant to read or pray aloud if they have verbal processing difficulties. Many mental health diagnoses include sensory processing differences. Those with ADHD may enjoy loud music, bright lights, and lots of movement, but those with autism may be overwhelmed by that level of stimulation.
“There is no single church for everyone… Your church will never be able to create a culture that will be perfect for every child or every adult with every conceivable disability. But every church can do something to welcome more families impacted by disability—including mental illness.”
Although some of the suggestions in the book are not practical for small churches, a good starting point for every church leader is to question your assumptions:
- “We don’t have that problem here.” -Mental health challenges and diagnoses are far more common than many people realize. There are likely to be some in your congregation (unless you only have 5 members).
- “Our people are all very comfortable here.” -Have you actually asked them? Do you ever get complaints about the music, pews, or décor? That might be a hint that there is something going on under the surface.
- “We are very welcoming to newcomers.” -How many of those newcomers keep coming back? If that person has rarely been to church before, what are you expecting them to know before they come in the door? What can they find out from your website or social media in order to relieve a little stress?
Think too about the perspectives of those who do have hidden challenges:
- Are children expected to be separated from parents or trusted friends? Do you expect all kids to behave a certain way and be able to perform age-specific tasks?
- What activities or spaces might be challenging for a person with severe anxiety? Hypersensitivity? ADHD? Autism?
I consider myself to be a highly sensitive person, in addition to dealing with varying degrees of anxiety and depression. I’m easily startled by unexpected touch or loud sounds, so I look for ways to protect myself by constantly scanning my environment. In new surroundings, I like to sit with my back near a wall so that I can see what’s coming. But I’ve also figured out that in the sanctuary I need to sit near the front so that I am not constantly distracted by everything around me. And even though I’ve been at my church nearly three decades and generally know what to expect, there are still times when I struggle with the motivation to attend because I know how much energy it will take to get through the morning. I can only imagine how hard it would be for someone with more severe sensitivities.
The book also addresses the topic of stigma, which I won’t get into here, except to say that I would never attend a church that says psychiatric diagnoses aren’t real or that medications should be avoided. There is no biblical basis for that position, and people are suffering because of it. Let’s not add to the burdens people are already carrying.
“A bruised reed He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench; He will faithfully bring forth justice” (Isaiah 42:3 and Matt. 12:20).
© 2026 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.
