Across the Pastor’s Desk by Katelyn Rakotoarivelo

 

On Sept. 7 this year, a crowd gathered at Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea for the Out of Darkness walk.

“When you walk in the Out of the Darkness walks, you join the effort with hundreds of thousands of people to raise awareness and funds that allow the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss,” is what the event description said. 

I’ve participated in a number of similar walks, and I am always struck by the presence of solidarity, empathy and passion for awareness and education. Many of us have lost a loved one to suicide, and even more of us have personally struggled or witnessed someone struggle with living with mental illness (whether that be depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or anything else). 

Our society is becoming more open to education about mental health and reducing the stigma around mental illness, but we still have a long way to go. And I firmly believe that the church can and should be a part of these advocacy, education and supportive efforts. But how? 

Well, first we have some repenting to do. For too long, the dominant narrative in many Christian traditions is that if you’re depressed, for example, you’re simply not “praying hard enough.” Or that if you’re feeling suicidal, you’re being selfish and sinful. We have to turn away from these sinful and harmful perspectives and turn our hearts toward compassion, understanding and empathy. We have to turn toward learning, education and truth.

The church can join in local efforts for education and awareness by helping host an event like Trinity, empowering members to advocate for education in schools and helpful public policies, and being a place where it’s OK — and welcomed! — to talk openly about mental illness. The church can help create an environment in which people are not shamed for living with mental illness but are supported and are encouraged to seek the help they need as a sign of strength.

I know this is possible for the church to do, because I have experienced it. My sophomore year of high school, my best friend completed suicide. And my church, where he had been very involved, too, was a place of amazing support, education and openness. Because my church was standing in solidarity with his family and friends, because my church had leaders who understood and who had educated themselves, I and my peers were able to grieve together and process in healthy ways. I don’t know how I would’ve made it through without them.

In the years since, I’ve witnessed my home church deepen their advocacy, welcome and education around mental illness and it’s been very important for the community. 

How can the church, how can your church, continue to follow God and step up and help create a world in which all are supported and loved? We’ve got work to do, church, so let’s get to it.

Katelyn Rakotoarivelo is a pastor at Concordia Lutheran Church of Pickerel Lake in Albert Lea.