Why I'm passionate
about this.

Mental illness is personal for me.

My wife was diagnosed bipolar mere months into our first year of marriage. As a pastor, I struggled greatly with anxiety, depression, and eventually suffered a panic attack in the pulpit. I’ve struggled to breathe in these times when mental illness robs you of oxygen. Now I serve as a chaplain at a mental health hospital where I serve people every day who struggle in similar ways.

It’s a major part of my life, and it does no good to deny it. Instead, it seems best to lean in and learn how God can use my story to provide hope to others.

But my concern is not solely mental illness; instead, it’s the intersection of faith and mental illness. More specifically, how are local churches helping those who struggle with mental illness? I have seen firsthand what it looks like when they're unable or unwilling. I want to change the way the church thinks so people can speak about their mental illness without shame.

I envision churches where all members--including leaders--can say, “I am suffering with mental illness.” “My spouse/child has been diagnosed…” “I am taking medication.” “I can’t make it to small group tonight because I have a meeting with my therapist.” “I was hospitalized last week due to my mental illness.”

Imagine a church where people can admit these things without fear or shame, where pastors can shepherd those people with confidence and refer them to mental health professionals, and where the church can walk alongside them through their struggle.

Those are spaces I want to create in the local church.

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