Faith, Healing and Mental Health: The Role of the Church Nurse

Each year in the month of May, the emphasis is on Mental Health Awareness. This is a time to shed light on a topic that impacts many but is often hidden in silence—especially in our faith-based communities. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI, 2023), 1 in 5 adults in the United States experience mental illness each year. That means in every congregation, likely in every pew, there is someone suffering—quietly.

So how can faith community nurses respond to this need with compassion, knowledge, and appropriate action?

The Role of the Faith Community Nurse

Faith Community Nurses (FCNs) are uniquely positioned and can play a pivotal role. They can help bridge the gap between spiritual support and mental wellness through education and advocacy. These efforts can also connect the church, the home, and the surrounding community (American Nurses Association, 2017).

FCNs are not just nurses who attend church. They are trained professionals who combine nursing with faith to care for the whole person—mind, body, and soul (American Nurses Association, 2017). They may notice the member who stops attending, the withdrawn teen, or the overwhelmed caregiver. Recognizing these signs, FCNs can compassionately engage with individuals and refer them to appropriate help. They are not substitutes for therapists or doctors, but their skills in addressing topics like depression, anxiety, grief, and burnout allow them to walk alongside others with empathy and discretion (Koenig, 2012).

Educating the Church

Mental health isn’t only a topic for clinics or doctor’s offices—it belongs in the sanctuary, too. With education, the FCN can help reduce stigma, dispel myths, and increase understanding (Mental Health America, 2023).

In the Church:

• Mental Health Awareness Sabbath Spotlights: Dedicate time during services for testimonies, scriptures, and prayers.

• Guest Speakers: Invite Christian mental health professionals.

• Printed Resources: Provide bulletin inserts and pamphlets on stress, depression, and support options.

• Support Groups: Offer grief sessions, caregiver support, or anxiety groups.

The stories of Elijah’s despair, David’s Psalms, and Job’s suffering remind us that emotional pain is part of the human—and faithful—experience.

In the Community

The FCN’s role extends beyond church walls. Partnering with local health agencies, the FCN can:

• Host Community Resource Fairs to connect with mental health providers

• Offer Screenings or “Wellness Checks” with a mental health focus

• Share Referral Lists for local therapists, hotlines, and counseling centers

These actions show that FCNs care not only about spiritual well-being but also about survival and mental wellness (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2022).

Faith and Mental Wellness Can Coexist

Seeking therapy is not a sign of weak faith. There is growing recognition that prayer and professional care can work together. FCNs can help members and communities navigate hard times with both scriptural encouragement and mental health resources (Koenig, 2012). Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to educate, uplift, and empower. When pastors, health ministry teams, and FCNs collaborate, churches become safe spaces where people can say, “I’m not okay,” and be met with love, support, and care.