{"id":744816,"date":"2021-05-21T02:00:49","date_gmt":"2021-05-21T07:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/churchanswers.com\/?p=744816"},"modified":"2021-05-15T08:11:07","modified_gmt":"2021-05-15T13:11:07","slug":"when-a-pastors-family-member-has-mental-health-issues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/churchanswers.com\/blog\/when-a-pastors-family-member-has-mental-health-issues\/","title":{"rendered":"When a Pastor\u2019s Family Member Has Mental Health Issues"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many moms and dads face the challenge of parenting a child with a mental health diagnosis. Due to the history of mental health stigma, especially in the church, it may be hard for pastors and church staff to vocalize when mental health issues are occurring in their own homes. Self-blame or embarrassment may keep church leaders from seeking appropriate help for their children and family.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where are these parents to start? How do they help their child? And what resources are available to them?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The challenging journey begins with perspective.<\/span><\/p>\n

Perspective is Key<\/b><\/p>\n

Christian parents strive to view children and parenting through the lens of correct theology. Children are often new believers or have yet to put faith in Christ. Their brain and language skills are also not fully developed. Having this understanding can help set right expectations of your child. Given these standards, childhood disobedience and your child\u2019s lack of understanding should not be surprising. Disobedience, temper tantrums, forgetfulness, etc. do not necessarily constitute a mental health diagnosis.<\/span><\/p>\n

When issues can\u2019t be explained by normal development, poor choices, or lack of spiritual engagement, a mental health condition can then be considered. For some parents, the potential of having a child with a mental health diagnosis may feel overwhelming or embarrassing. Let\u2019s talk briefly about how a parent can view mental health through the lens of theology.<\/span><\/p>\n

An intricate and creative God designed the human body in great complexity. We are not simply spiritual beings, but relational and developing humans comprised of biology, emotion, and spirituality. The result of Original Sin (Genesis 3) is corruption in every good area of our beings. The Fall negatively affects development, biology, society, emotion, spirituality, and relationships. These areas intertwine and impact overall functioning. Disruption in these areas can result in mental health issues. While some mental health issues lean more towards biological underpinnings (i.e. Tourette\u2019s Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disability), other mental health issues are more directly influenced by relationships and emotion. Mental health issues are complex.<\/span><\/p>\n

How To Help<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

If your child is struggling, I want to give you some resources. Knowing warning signs, the right questions to ask, and where to seek help, are important tools in helping your child. Let\u2019s begin with warning signs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. What are some warning signs?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n