Historically, the church has been core to the spiritual experience, community engagement, support, and political activism within the Black community. However, I believe the Black church has failed to keep up with the young people of today. One pressing issue is Black youth mental health. Black young people are at higher risk of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and addictive behaviors. Regrettably, mental health is largely stigmatized within the Black church due to religious intolerance and theological myths around mental health. Some churchgoers believe that mental health is a result of sin or demon possession and that affected individuals simply “need more Jesus.” This way of thinking causes those who struggle with their mental health to feel both invalidated and isolated from their support system. There is an opportunity for the church to be of service to their community, but they must be equipped with the tools and resources to help young Black people thrive, including licensed therapists, psychiatrists, and mental health resources. With these in place, the church can, once again, be a place of healing for Black young people.

Surviving Misconceptions About Therapy

Growing up, I heard church people say, “You don’t need a therapist, you have your parents.” “You don’t need a therapist, you have Jesus.” “Take your issues to the Barber/hair shop.” “A therapist wouldn’t understand and accommodate your religious beliefs.” My peers and I were taught to take our issues to Christ. While the topic of mental health became less stigmatized in the public sphere in the months and years after the pandemic, mental health was scarcely talked about within the church. As someone who grew up with low self-esteem, I felt my needs were not being met by my church community.

I never liked the word “depression” because I always thought it meant that you had serious issues and needed help. I, too, thought that with God, you can’t be depressed or have any mental issues. That view quickly changed when I started struggling. I read my Bible and prayed daily, but I still suffered from occasional breakdowns and depression. On top of the stigma, there were several obstacles preventing me from seeking help. I didn’t want to go to a school counselor, for fear that they would tell my parents everything. I couldn’t pay out of pocket for therapy, and there weren’t many therapists available in my area. I didn’t know of other resources I could use to find a therapist or psychiatrist. My only outlet for mental care was Pinterest, reading, and social media, which only acted as a Band-Aid for my bi-weekly breakdowns.

A New Interpretation of the Same Verse

The verse taken from 1 Peter 5:7, which states, “Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you” (New King James Version), is what Church elders referenced to tell us to take our anxieties to Christ. I originally interpreted what they said as we have to carry our own burdens and tell no one else besides God. But now, through my own personal study, I understand that the church elders were trying to tell us to take our issues to Christ because he will carry our troubles and fears. Although going to God is a way to help relieve my troubles, there should be other options for support. A lack of resources and misconceptions about mental health prevent religious Black young people from getting the help they need. Like me, they want to worship God but not at the expense of their well-being.

A Shift Away from Stigma to Support

Fortunately, there has been a shift within the Black church. Post-COVID, some Black churches, like those featured in a docu-series on American Black Journal/ Detroit PBS, started to highlight mental health issues in a different light. There has been a great push forward in mental health acceptance, with church leaders using the Black church as a space to help build identity for Black young people through the teachings of grace, mercy, and humanity. However, remnants of the old way of thinking still persist. It is up to the Black church to educate both young people and elders about mental health, including external factors affecting mental health, warning signs of mental health disorders, and how to find support. Additionally, both young people and elders need to work in tandem to support each other. Establishing trust between generations is key to shifting beliefs about mental health and shifting from a culture of stigma to one of support.