Pastor Bill Reese - Mental Health Care at Church and Beyond: The Stigma Free Church

MENTAL HEALTH CARE
AT CHURCH AND BEYOND

MENTAL HEALTH CARE
AT CHURCH AND BEYOND

by

DR. B.R. REESE

MENTAL HEALTH CARE
AT CHURCH AND BEYOND

Copyright 2018 Dr. B.R. Reese

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are taken from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing minis-try of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2011. The ESV text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from the King James Bible. Accessed on Bible Gateway at www.BibleGateway.com.

Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB), copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, www.Lockman.org. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

First Edition: Year 2018
Mental Health Care at Church and Beyond /Dr. B.R. Reese
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-946453-57-0
eBook ISBN: 978-1-946453-58-7

PRAISE FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE AT CHURCH AND BEYOND

African Americans experiencing psychological distress are more likely to seek help from a trusted clergy leader than any other group, and yet the Black Church is still lagging behind when it comes to mental health support. Pastors and ministry leaders are sadly still offering those experiencing mental health challenges quick solutions like more prayer and Scripture reading. Offering simple solutions to pressing issues perpetuates stigma and misconception of mental illness as a spiritual problem, due to lack of awareness.

So what do we do when praying more is not enough? Clergy leaders lacking basic knowledge of mental health should not attempt mental health counseling beyond offering referral services. African Americans have a difficult time finding mental health providers that align with the Christian faith and support their values and attitudes.

Mental Health Care at Church and Beyond offers best practices on how to engage African Americans through collaboration with faith-based organizations and mental health providers to decrease stigma, develop cultural competency, and improve access to mental health care. In addition, the author provides theological and sound evidence of mental health examples in the Bible.

Essentially, Mental Health Care at Church and Beyond acknowledges the role of the Black Church as a pillar in the African-American community and the necessity of life-affirming messages from the pulpit for African Americans and the broader community. This is a brilliant piece of work with the promise of providing help and facilitating healing for African Americans and the community-at-large.

Jameisha (Meisha) Brown,
PhD(c), M.S., CHES, Health Minister

My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

The confluence of faith and mental health is complex and unique to each individual. Giving God all the glory for our well-being does not relieve the faith community of its responsibility to address mental wellness. To the contrary, God calls us to build on the unique strengths of churches and church leaders to identify the need for behavioral resources and refer congregants (and pastoral leaders) to those local treatment providers and recovery support services that make us perfect in weakness. This book is a heartfelt call for an open conversation about perfection in weakness. Here, the reader will find the evidence-based approach and the action plan outline to address mental health recovery and wellness in our own congregations. LifeSteps has plans to launch a peer recovery support program, and this book will be an important part of understanding diversity when coaching people on their path to recovery.

Laurie Born, MPAff, ACPS, Executive Director,
LifeSteps Council on Alcohol and Drugs

I have worked in the field of mental health for over twenty years and am now the Director for The Center of Counseling and Behavioral Health at The Potters House of Dallas, Texas under the tutelage of Bishop T.D. Jakes. It is with extreme pleasure and honor that I recommend this book. I have seen first-hand Dr. Reese navigate lifes complexities and maintain his hope, integrity, and faith in God. His life has equipped him to pen this poignant and inspiring worka clarion call to others to keep reaching for wholeness despite difficult circumstances. Dr. Reese has a way of utilizing his unique wit combined with his spiritual insight to captivate the reader and take them on a healing and transformative journey. I encourage the reader to approach these written words with an open heart and mind and allow the balm of healing to flow into their lives.

I am convinced you will be enriched the authors transparency and realness as he shares his journey to wholeness. It is your time, your season to move forward and step into what God has for you, and I believe this book is a continuation of the blessings God has in store for you!

Natasha Stewart MA, Director for the Center of Counseling and Behavioral Health, The Potters House of Dallas, Texas

Like Joshua, Rev. Dr. Billy Reese is commissioned by God to lead his flock to total mental well-being. With God, there is a renewing of the body, mind, and soulthere is abundant life. There is perfect peace. Yes, mental health is a problem in the pews . There is a growing body of sociological and psychological research interested in the effects of mental health in religion. This increasing literature argues there is a positive effect and influence when pastors care for and pray for their flock. Although clergy are often called upon to provide mental health pastoral care, their response to this mission remains relatively unexamined. Little is known about what clergy do when faced with mental health problems among their communities.

This book opens the door to what may become a richer, deeper conversation on issues of forgiveness, acceptance, gratitude, hope, and love. Mental Health Care at Church and Beyond is a safe, spiritual space for individuals and communities to reclaim their mental health care at church and beyond.

Dr. Anne Onyekwuluje, Professor of Sociology,