Let's Talk day

On January 28th, Bell Canada sponsors "Let's Talk" day. This is a national campaign to help raise awareness about mental health and to end the stigma attached to it. I have both family and friends who have suffered from mental health issues and I believe that it is important for us to be open about this. We do not help anyone by keeping silent about these diseases and conditions.

There is a stigma in our society about people with mental health issues and that stigma extends into the church. Jesus teaches us that all are welcome in the kingdom of God and we need to remember that Great Physician came to heal all those who are sick whether that is in body, mind, or soul. (Mark 2:17) Our call is to be welcoming to all people just as Jesus reached out to us. 

But what does this type of welcome look like? As I have been reading about how the church has dealt with mental health issues, I am saddened to learn that we have not followed Jesus’ teaching in many ways.  While there is no catchy phrase or slogan that captures how to deal with such complex issues in our congregations, we can certainly start by looking at how Jesus dealt with others. 

Jesus was compassionate and welcoming.  He also wept and grieved.  Jesus accepted people for who they were and loved them deeply.

We can at least start there...

Yours in Christ, Emma.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39