(RNS) — The COVID-19 pandemic was the first time many people became aware of the mental health crisis gripping the United States. Confined to their homes, often with children deprived of contact with peers or adults who had lost their jobs, we saw for the first time the chronic depression, anxiety and rising suicide rates that were already bubbling beneath the surface of American life.
Faith leaders may have been more aware of mental health issues in our congregations, but we too have been slow to wake up to the pervasiveness of the crisis and the role we should play in the mental health of those with whom we share our highest highs and lowest lows.
In May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month, clergy can begin to understand how to address these challenges. Pirkei Avot, an ancient rabbinic text, teaches: “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon yourself to it.”
Like many of my colleagues, I often meet with members of the congregation who describe their struggles. Some are overwhelmed by the death of a loved one. Others struggle to get out of bed, unable to find any glimmers of hope that will help them face the day. Because of the stigma associated with mental health services, few people seek medical treatment. The ministry’s counseling and guidance may be the only protective barrier between members of the congregation and a potentially dangerous situation.
Three years ago, I asked myself: What if we brought mental health services directly to them?
That question gave birth to the Sinai Temple Mental Health Center. In 2020, as the pandemic took hold, our synagogue hired a full-time licensed clinical social worker to help assess and map the mental health needs of our community, including clergy and staff. The social worker provides short-term one-on-one counseling, leads our grief groups, and offers wellness programs for the community.
The lessons we’ve learned are profound: When mental wellness is built into the fabric of a religious organization, stigma diminishes because mental health becomes part of our everyday vocabulary. Whether congregants are caring for an ailing parent, grieving the death of a loved one, or struggling with depression or another mood disorder, having a mental health professional in the congregation can remind them, “I thought I was the only one. Now I know I’m not alone.”
I have witnessed this dynamic in several ways over the past three years. After a young father in our congregation died, she met with other parents to help them work through not only the family tragedy but also their own questions. The parents couldn’t help but wonder, “If he’s dead, what does that mean for my own life? How do I get through this pain?” They wanted to know what was developmentally appropriate to share with their children about this loss.
She also reached out to the clergy. As we buried a beloved member of the community, she gave us an opportunity to grieve.
By helping congregants cope with other challenges, she has connected families facing loved ones with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, forming a cohesive micro-community of support and friendship.
While it may not be possible for every place of worship to hire a clinician, it is still possible to bring mental health resources closer to your constituents by following a few precepts.
First, ground your mental health in the lessons of your faith. The biblical story of Hannah describes what might be diagnosed as depressive symptoms because Hannah is unable to have children, forcing her husband to ask his beloved wife, “Why are you crying and why don’t you eat? Why are you so sad?” It teaches us that mental health issues, while a part of daily life, nonetheless deserve careful attention and treatment. Clergy can reinforce these lessons from the pulpit.
Second, educate yourself. Consider hiring trained clinicians to provide suicide prevention training and mandatory reporting training to identify child and elder abuse. At a minimum, know the signs of suicide risk factors, what constitutes suicidal tendencies and thoughts, and how to report someone considering suicide or how to recognize and report abuse to protective services.
Third, create a list of community mental health programs to refer congregants to. You’re not expected to be both a religious leader and a therapist, or to reserve a space for every mental health issue your congregation faces. Look for referrals to child therapists and couples therapists who are accepting new clients. Familiarize yourself with counseling centers that offer sliding-scale payment options. What online therapy programs are available in your state? Keep an eye out for educational offerings or mental health speakers in your area that will improve the lives of your congregants.
Finally, consider sharing the cost of a mental health clinician with another congregation. Faith leaders spend countless hours creating sanctuaries of solemnity and safety. What a blessing to be able to provide mental health resources in a person’s place of worship. Whether the clinician is helping a congregant consider steps to place their parent in a senior care facility or consulting with the clergy member on specific end-of-life issues, their guidance is invaluable.
We may not be able to solve the mental health crisis in our country, but as faith leaders, we have both a profound responsibility and a unique opportunity to help our communities normalize conversations about mental health and reduce stigma. Our attention to mental health can be what allows our congregants to see the godliness in themselves and, ultimately, walk the path of hope once again.
Rabbi Nicole Guzik, a marriage and family therapist, is co-senior rabbi of Temple Sinai, one of the largest synagogues in Los Angeles. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service.
