S U P P O R T I N G O T H E R S
Show grace and support
You do not need to have all the answers. Patience, compassion, practical help, prayer, and belonging can make a difference.
Mental Health Myths
Letting go of common misconceptions helps us support people with more grace and understanding.
Myth: It is a sin to be anxious or depressed
The Bible gives honest language for distress: "Why are you so downcast, O my soul?" Mental health struggles should be met with compassion, not shame.
Myth: Talking about mental health makes it worse
Caring conversation can reduce isolation and help a person feel seen. Silence often leaves people feeling alone and spiritually confused.
Myth: Depression or anxiety means I do not have enough faith
Christians struggle too. Seeking counselling, medical care, and community support is not a failure of faith.
Myth: Medication for anxiety or depression is a sin
Medication may be recommended by a doctor as part of care. A medical conversation can be wise and appropriate.
Myth: A mental health concern is weakness
A person is not defined by a mental health concern. A person is defined by who Jesus Christ says he or she is.
Showing grace
Supporting someone is not about fixing them. It is about accepting others in spite of mental health concerns and remembering that a person is not defined by those concerns. A person who is struggling is just as valuable as anyone else.
Be kind. Love the person. Be patient and gracious. Listen with compassion, respect boundaries, and keep offering belonging even when the path is long.
Be kind. Love the person. Be patient and gracious. Listen with compassion, respect boundaries, and keep offering belonging even when the path is long.
Practical ways to support
- Invite the person to a small group where you can offer love, belonging, prayer, and check-ins.
- Offer practical help such as meals, babysitting, lawn care, rides, or sitting together.
- Send notes of encouragement; church mailboxes can be a meaningful place for this.
- Do not give up on the person.
- Offer encouraging Scripture without judgment, such as Psalm 118:14.
- Do not judge the person; sometimes depression can appear as laziness.
- Gently encourage professional help and offer to help them find it.
- Pray, pray, pray.
A word of encouragement
“The Lord is my strength and my defense. He has become my salvation.”(Psalm 118:14). To support someone with grace is to be, in a tangible way, “Jesus with skin on.”
Related resources
Need additional support?
You are not alone. Reach out to find local help or connect directly with our care team. We would be honored to walk with you.