This is an excellent resource for those wanting to provide Christian care for teenagers with mental health challenges. Kim and Kwon aim to
“outline the foundational elements of humble, godly, compassionate care for parents and churches who engage with teenagers struggling with mental illness. Our prayer is that parents, pastors, and youth leaders will be equipped to care in a variety of ways, feel empowered to do so more wisely and skillfully than before, and know when to humbly ask for help from others.” (p6)Part 1 explores the foundational biblical principles, teen development and current cultural challenges. Practical ways churches can support teens and caregivers are suggested, as well as when to seek professional help, including advice for families who refuse outside help. I appreciated the suggestion that the role of the church is to develop relationships with teens’ families, and then act as refuge (safe place), lighthouse (navigational aid to help and other resources) and first responder. There is also encouragement for parents to be the parents, lovingly and kindly:
Parents are “to model God to our children who is bigger, stronger, and wiser than they are and is undeservedly kind to them” (p71)Part 2 explores specific mental health challenges in each chapter, including:
- anxiety and stress
- depression
- body image issues and eating disorders
- substance abuse issues
- trauma
- schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
- suicidal ideation
- excessive screen use issues
- A definition, with facts and statistics.
- How the gospel speaks into that situation or mental health challenge
- Providing compassionate care, often including some practical tools and approaches (essentially a Christian counsellor mini-tool-kit). This includes an ongoing reminder that these things can only be attempted after you have developed a relationship with the teen, and fully understand their story.
- The benefits of good habits - encouragement to help the teen form helpful habits regarding sleep, exercise, diet, screen management, etc.
- When to seek additional help
If I had a concern, it is that the tools and details included could give some overconfidence in using them when they do not have the skills. It’s one thing to guide someone in a breathing exercise, but it takes a fair amount of wisdom and self-awareness to help someone process their experience of trauma and challenge their distorted beliefs as a result of it. I would be cautious suggesting parents, pastors or youth leaders attempt this unless they have relevant training in that area.
Further complicating this is whether parents should be applying these tools with their own children at all. It is important to let parents be parents, and not muddy the role by also trying counsel their children. I suspect this isn’t what the authors are proposing, and the tools are more aimed at pastors who can handle such circumstances. I certainly came away with some tools and practices I could utilise in counselling.
This is comprehensive and compassionate resource that many who work with youth will benefit from. It encourages churches and leaders to care for their youth well and wisely, and gives all who work (or live) with teenagers extra information and encouragement to support them well.
“Families need the love and support of their local churches for the long haul as they walk through difficult experiences of mental health struggle” (p215)
“The ultimate message of hope we can offer to teens and their parents - take heart, for Jesus has overcome the world, including the brokenness of our own hearts and minds.” (p216)
I received an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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