Christian mental illness and stigma - Mental Health Grace Alliance is a faith-based, non-profit organization created to promote understanding in the church and provide assistance and support to individuals living with mental illness and their families.

1.
mental
health
GRACE
ALLIANCE
Stigma
FAITH
Scripture: John
9:1-­‐3
Central Thought:
One day Jesus encountered a man who had been blind from birth. Jesus’ disciples assumed
that sin was the cause of the man’s blindness. This was a common belief of the day; sin or
unrighteousness brought punishment (i.e., sickness, poverty, a physical handicap) while
righteous living brought health and prosperity. But how did Jesus see it … "It was neither that
this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
This outcast, this “cursed” man, this sinner was blind from birth so that the works of God
might be displayed in him. Much like the man born blind we need to recognize that our loved
one’s mental disorder is as an opportunity for the works of God to be manifest in their life. We
(and others) need to see them with Christ’s eyes, the eyes of grace.
FACTS
• Stigma is always born out of fear and misinformation.
• The purpose of stigma is to minimize, demonize or dehumanize someone or something so
that inaction and a lack of compassion can be justified.
• Stigma can only be overcome by truth and education.
• Wrongly held views and beliefs (stigma) are hurtful, don’t own them.
FUTURE
• Be prepared to respond truthfully to individuals who ask about your loved one’s
condition.
• Be proactive in educating those closest to you and your loved one about mental illness.
• Recognize that others’ wrongly held beliefs about mental disorders are not your or your
loved one’s fault.
Mental Health Grace Alliance
www.mentalhealthgracealliance.org