Mental Health Impact on Families: How to Help

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one out of every five adults in the US experience a mental illness each year.¹ As we think of the millions of people that statistic represents, consider that each of those persons is part of a family. There are family members who love and care for those with mental health challenges. When we think of the families of people with mental health challenges, the impact of these challenges widens greatly.

As the church, we can walk alongside families as they support a family member who has mental health challenges. Consider these ways of providing support and assistance to families.

Learn

• • Learn about this critical issue by visiting wmu.com/mentalhealth to gain more information.
  • Take the training offered through the online course Mental Health: The Church’s Response.
  • Become aware of the impact within your own community and learn of resources available within your community.

Pray

• • Pray for families as they support a loved one who has mental health challenges.
  • Pray that families will seek help from mental health professionals.
  • Pray for families to know that God is with them as they support their loved one emotionally, financially, and in daily caregiving.
  • Pray for pastors, medical personnel, counselors, and other mental health professionals as they serve to help families.

Support

• • Think of practical ways you can provide support to families such as taking them a meal, making a grocery store run for them, or taking them to an appointment.
  • Listen and respond to family members with compassion and grace.