Introduction
Lorraine Prevost is someone who is interested in mental health and is using this website to contribute to the conversation. She will be doing a week-long session of posting about mental health, where she will be sharing information and insights to help others understand and cope with mental health challenges. Lorraine is seeking to create a community where people can come together to share their experiences, offer support, and learn from each other. By raising awareness about mental health, Lorraine hopes to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and encourage more people to seek help when they need it.
Millions of gospel fans know Richard Smallwood’s music, but not his struggles. He was a man who fought depression and thoughts of suicide daily. There were years when he could not write a lyric. He would cry out, “Where is the healing in my life?” His struggle with Clinical Depression and thoughts of suicide were overwhelming. “Depression is an illness, like cancer or diabetes.You just can’t say pray about it. You’ve got to get help!” (Richard Smallwood 1996 Washington Post article.) Is your church equipped to assist someone who is suicidal? Does your pastor speak to the congregation about mental health? Do you have a family member struggling with mental health issues? I ask because many members, pastors and church leaders are suffering because they lack the knowledge to deal with this problem. I have been a part of a congregation for over 60 years and mental illness has never been openly discussed. According to” Lifeway Research Group 1 in 4 pastors and their congregations suffer from this illness. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, psychosis, are rarely mentioned in my congregation; however, I do hear the terms “crazy” , “strange” and “bad nerves” mentioned a lot. Prayer and Bible Study have been the answers to all our problems in the black congregation. I know that prayer changes things; I know that God can heal; however when faced with these issues , more help is needed. I would like to share with you some of my thoughts.