None of us recovers alone. The role of community in our support is more crucial than any of us knows. If you struggle with mental or emotional health (i.e., you are human), going it alone is not an option, yet most of us choose this at various points in our suffering.

Therapy, unchecked, is at risk of the bias of rugged individualism. For my readers in the U.S., for all our productivity, we have started to lack meaningful, deep relationships. The things that are the underpinnings of recovery from grief and loss, anxiety, depression, and more are revealed when we don’t have them. I’m not going to be so arrogant as to assume this is driving the mental health crisis and increase in the occurrence of diagnoses that have been stable for decades, but it indeed is a factor.

Let me introduce you to one of my favorite faith-filled mental health resources:

Mental Health Grace Alliance

The co-founders are Dr. Matthew Stanford and Joe Padilla. Stanford is a professor and neuroscientist, and Padilla is a former pastor-turned-mental-health-advocate. Here’s their overview:

Our mission is to equip the Church with mental health resources that blend science and Scripture to see God’s grace transform lives.

As a non-profit, our generous donor partners enable our Grace Alliance team to provide:

1. Free Group Leader Training and Support Video/Resources (education and equipping).

2. Free access to Group Leader Network – no membership/subscription fees (online forums and live events).

3. Free Group workbooks, articles, educational guides, and devotionals to expand the group experience for leaders, group participants, and anyone searching for answers to tough faith and mental health questions.

These are a few of my favorite things….

MHGA does a lot. My favorite three things they do:

1. Advocate for mental health, especially:
   • Providing a Biblical view of mental health
   • Revealing successful ways the church is involved in helping bring hope
   • Guidance on a whole person view: body, mind, and spirit
2. Offer mental health support through groups, trainings, and free curriculum, including in churches
3. Field simple and complex questions on faith and mental health.

–>Check them out today!<–

I hope you experience the love and hope that Christ brings completely—for our body, mind, and spirit.