Making Space at the Well

When it comes to ministry related to mental health concerns, prayer and Scripture are not enough. Beginning with the biblical motif of going to the village well for the waters that sustain life and exploring the communal significance of that well, pastor, professor, and clinical psychologist Jessica Young Brown calls on the Black Church to rally its historic resilience and creativity to acknowledge and engage those in its pews who are struggling with mental health concerns. Using the acronym of SPACE, the author discusses:

-Silencing the Stigma ... naming the negative attitudes and mistaken assumptions about mental illness, especially in the African American community

-Presence & Persistence ... identifying the importance of authentic relationships in healing mind and spirit

-Application & Action ... highlighting practical steps to address the needs as they emerge

-Cautions ... being real about the fears and risks related to mental health crises, including the importance of referrals

-Expression & Exhortation ... calling on the cultural power of testimony to encourage the entire congregation to access the healing power of God

Rev. Dr. Young Brown concludes with a practical exploration of "Now What? Digging the Well and Drawing from It." The book's appendix features a brief primer on common mental disorders that frequently affect members of our family, neighborhood, and church.