Anxiety and Depression in Ministry

There’s something with which pastors and priests are struggling in record-high numbers. Most feel like they can’t talk about it with anyone. It’s like a big cloud of secrecy constantly hanging over them. Every week they stand in front of their parishioners with a smile on their faces, hiding this secret. Our clergy encourage, give support, and walk with us through our own struggles. While many of them are deeply struggling themselves. Anxiety and depression rates among those in ministry – both ordained and lay ministry – seem to be rising. Several studies have shown that the rates of anxiety and depression among these folks are higher than the national averages. Different studies cite different numbers, but all agree, our pastors, priests, and church staff are suffering silently with these issues.

Maybe you’ve come to this article because you’re in ministry and find yourself struggling with anxiety or depression. Or perhaps you’re the spouse, a relative, or close friend of someone in church work about whom you’re concerned.

Hopefully, this article will shed some light on this increasing problem and offer some tips. It contains tips for those who are concerned about their loved ones as well as anyone involved in ministry who may be dealing with anxiety or depression and is looking for help.

Anxiety and Depression in Ministry

Among the general population, only about 25% of those dealing with depression are believed to be seeking help or treatment. These numbers are estimated to be even lower among those who work for churches. Independent and anonymous surveys show that church staff members are dealing with depression at high rates. Anxiety may also accompany this, and church workers aren’t often getting help for either.

Why is this happening? There seems to be an unwritten stigma against church workers who have mental health issues. People assume that you’re doing “holy work” and are therefore immune to mental health struggles. Or maybe they think that those involved in church work have some sort of extra-special relationship with God and that God will protect them from mental health issues.

It’s hard to know exactly, but most of those in ministry who have publicly spoken about their mental health struggles admit to suffering silently for significantly longer than those not involved in church work.

Support for Clergy and Church Staff with Anxiety and Depression

Here are a few ways for clergy and church staff to find support:

Take regular breaks. The Sabbath was given for a reason. Taking one day off a week may be difficult but it’s important to have a boundary between church life and non-church life. A longer break once or twice a year is also beneficial.

Have non-church friends. Our churches become so deeply rooted as our communities. They become our family. This is a good thing. But it also makes it harder for those in ministry to seek help or have someone to confide in. Make friends from outside of the church you’re serving in as well.

Get regular counseling. Being in ministry is hard work. It can be emotionally taxing. Regular counseling can be so helpful, not only for those dealing with anxiety and depression.

Work with a spiritual director. A spiritual director is someone who walks alongside you in your faith journey. They can help you see how God is working in your life, gain a more accurate view of God, guide you in spiritual practices, and much more. It can be so freeing for those in church-leadership roles to have a spiritual director to provide them with guidance and leadership too.

Post-mission Trip/ Post-missionary Service Depression

Another area of concern is depression following missionary work. This has been getting the attention of some mission-based organizations but there’s still a long way to go. Post-mission trip depression and depression following long-term mission work is incredibly common.

This can come from culture shock, compassion fatigue, difficulty transitioning, and other reasons. Mission trips and missionary service are incredible. They also open our eyes to suffering and pain that we might never have seen. Most missionaries, long-term or short-term, are not adequately prepared for this.

Those who served in dangerous, impoverished, or culturally different settings are most likely to struggle upon returning home. However, even those who serve stateside in their own hometowns struggle too. Missionaries give an incredible amount of their time, energy, and heart to those they serve. They often have little to no boundaries that a “normal” job provides and they may be the only Americans in their area.

Of course, depression and anxiety can surface at any time. They may present themselves during the missionary service time as well. Some missionaries may even need to leave the field to get support. Proactive mental health support can be a huge help and is made much easier with technology.

Supporting Mental Health for Missionaries

How can we support the mental health of those returning from a short-term mission trip or long-term missionary service? What about supporting our missionaries as they’re on the field? These are areas that still need more exploration but here are a few ways to help:

Counseling. All those who have served on a mission field could benefit from counseling. Group counseling can be helpful for an entire mission team, as well as 1:1 counseling. Some find ongoing counseling helpful for processing their experiences. Those currently serving in the field should consider ongoing counseling to help work through their experiences as they go.

Regular breaks. Many missionaries live, work, and breathe their service. It can be hard for them to draw healthy boundaries and take care of themselves because they’re so caught up in their work. Taking regular breaks to visit nearby areas, or even a staycation somewhere in town can be helpful.

Access to quality care. Some missionaries neglect their basic health needs during their time of service. When returning home, it can be helpful to have visits lined up for doctors, ophthalmologists, dentists, and other medical care. Also, consider a little bit of self-care like a haircut or massage.

Debriefing time when returning stateside. Giving missionaries a place to unwind, debrief, and process when returning home is important. Many rush to see family and friends and don’t take the time they need to process and get used to being back in the United States. A few days of rest with all their basic needs taken care of and little to no commitments after returning home can be helpful. A period of personal retreat can also be beneficial.

Time in nature. Nature can be a great healer and a great place to process your feelings and thoughts.

Exercise. Time and again, exercise has proven helpful for depression. Offer to be a walking or workout buddy for the missionary in your life.

How to Approach Someone in Ministry You’re Concerned About

Sometimes the person may not fully realize what is going on. Sit down and talk 1:1 with them and explain your concerns. You may even want to come prepared with some resources for care and support available.

Churches and mission-based organizations can also help. Mental health can be discussed at staff meetings and in training. Anonymous surveys can be distributed to gauge the overall mental health of the staff. Regular resources and free counseling opportunities can be provided as well.

Church workers, pastors, and priests can also normalize anxiety and depression by sharing their struggles as they feel comfortable. They can offer great support to others who might be unsure of what to do or how to get help.

If you’re concerned about a missionary, pastor, or someone else in ministry, please let them know. We often have a gut feeling something is wrong but may not act on it because we don’t want to make assumptions or embarrass them.

Those in ministry do so much for us. The worst-case scenario is that we ask them, and they tell us they’re doing ok. Having the conversation will help remove the stigma around the mental health struggles of those in ministry.