E219. Mental Health Isn’t a Program: Rethinking Discipleship in the Church
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey explore a question many churches are asking right now: we care about mental health… but what do we actually do with it?
As awareness has grown, the challenge has shifted from understanding mental health to integrating it into the life of the church. But with so many resources and approaches available, many care leaders feel overwhelmed and unsure where to begin.
Laura and Rebecca unpack this tension and offer a simpler way forward—one that moves beyond programs and focuses on integrating mental health into discipleship through relational presence. Instead of trying to fix or have all the answers, they highlight the power of listening, curiosity, and being with people in the middle of their struggles.
This episode is especially helpful for care leaders who want to support mental health in a way that is clear, sustainable, and rooted in everyday church life.
Quotes
“We’re not called to know more… we are actually called to be with people.” Rebecca Bailey
“It’s harder to sit in the uncomfortable, messy space of someone struggling than it is to have a solution.” Rebecca Bailey
“We don’t need more programs—we need a clearer way to care for people.” Laura Howe
“There’s a difference between caring for people and carrying everything for them.” Rebecca Bailey
Resources
Mental Health Sunday Resources
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