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SBC Addresses Mental Health Issues

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During a year when mass shootings and suicides have stunned the nation, a resolution on "Mental Health Concerns and the Heart of God" was overwhelmingly approved by messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention’s June 11-12 annual meeting in Houston.

The resolution offered by the SBC Committee on Resolutions sought to "affirm, support, and share God's love and redemption" while opposing "all stigmatization and prejudice" to those with mental health challenges.

The resolution identified mental health issues such as autism disorders and intellectual disability; mental health conditions like schizophrenia, clinical depression, anxiety orders and bipolar disorders; and diseases of the aged including dementia and Alzheimer's.

The resolution expressed support for "the wise use of medical interventions" and supported research and treatment "when undertaken in a manner consistent with a biblical worldview."

Specifically addressing suicide as "a tragedy, leaving heartache, pain, and unanswered questions in its wake," the resolution urged that families of victims be treated with "great care, concern, and compassion" from Christians and churches. Included in this is the "assurance that those in Christ cannot be separated from the eternal love of God in Christ Jesus."

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And it called for churches to find ways to love, minister to, and develop methods and resources to help those who struggle with these challenges and their families.

The resolution addressed the same topic as a motion presented June 11 by Ronnie Floyd, pastor of Cross Church in Springdale, Arkansas, that called on SBC entities to work cooperatively to create and identify resources available to individuals and churches that minister to those who suffer from mental health challenges.

"Jesus called us to care for the suffering, to care for the least of these. We often overlook them. At times their lives are so disrupted and severe they require intervention. These people and their families are isolated, stigmatized, and rejected," Floyd said.

Floyd cited statistics that fifty-eight million Americans and 450 million persons worldwide suffer from mental disorders and one million die from suicide annually. He said churches and communities are filled with people who need Southern Baptists to minister to them and their families.

"It's time for the SBC to be on the front lines of mental health challenges," he said.

Rick Warren

Rick Warren preaching for the first time since the death of his son, Matthew. (C) Saddleback Church.

Attention has focused on two prominent Southern Baptist leaders in recent months, Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, and Frank S. Page, president of the SBC Executive Committee, who have lost children to suicide.

Warren lost his son Matthew to suicide at age 27 earlier this year after a lengthy battle with mental illness. Page, meanwhile, has authored a book on the death of his daughter, Melissa, who committed suicide in 2009 at age 32. Melissa, A Father's Lessons from a Daughter’s Suicide, was released in June by the B&H Publishing Group of LifeWay Christian Resources.

During the LifeWay presentation to the SBC June 11, President Thom Rainer said it is unusual for him to promote a book during his report, but "strongly" recommended messengers read Melissa which he said is "one of the [most] powerful books I have ever read.

Frank Page with his daughter, Melissa

Frank Page with his daughter, Melissa. Photo courtesy of the Page family.

"Many of us in vocational ministry want to act like our homes have no problems; Frank Page takes down the façade and lets us see a real family with real struggles," Rainer said.

Rainer said he hopes the book will help others "understand issues behind depression and suicide so we can more effectively minister to those who are hurting. I'm praying that a movement will grow from this book and perhaps lives can be saved from this darkness and we can have a greater awareness and sensitivity to this need."

Rainer also announced that LifeWay will re-launch the curriculum series, "Bible Studies for Life," which will begin with the series "Where the Bible Meets Life." The curriculum will explore topics such as mental health and the biblical Christian response.

At a news conference following the Resolutions Committee report, Committee chairman Steve Lemke said the resolution could open doors for churches to develop partnerships with health care providers to develop a holistic approach to offering a compassionate ministry for those who suffer from all types of mental health issues.