The Christian Stigma with Medications and Therapy Explained.
A Christ-centered approach that embraces therapy and medication without shame.
Let’s get a practical understanding —
What’s the core issue why Christians think mental health therapy and medication are signs of weak faith?
What does God think about therapy and medication?
Why Christians should seek professional intervention … it’s a sign of growing faith!
In short, the simple answer is "yes," Christians should consider mental health medications and therapy if and when needed because it's not only wise, it’s Scriptural — and part of the faith journey, not a lack of it.
It’s not a sin to live with mental health challenges; it’s an opportunity for growth.
Yes, our (in Christ) spirituality and faith practice can help, as various studies consistently show that spirituality can accelerate mental health recovery, resilience, and meaningful lives. In fact, neurotheology researchers conclude that spirituality should be part of the therapeutic model. Thus, our faith journey for mental health recovery works best in a whole-person, whole-health model combined with a supportive community, AND when needed (available), professional care and treatment.
But spiritual and social stigma make it complex, creating cultural barriers to getting real help.
1. What the Christian mental health stigma is really about.
Mental health is more complex because it’s mostly viewed through a cultural “strength vs. weakness” lens (in and outside the Church). For many Christian communities (more so in the West), there is an undertone that strong faith (righteous living) is equated with spiritual success — rewarded with God’s pleasing delight, blessings, and protection from “bad” (gain, “happiness”). While weak faith is rewarded with God’s displeasure, distance, and suffering (loss, punishment).
So, for millions of Christians living with mental health challenges, many feel their struggles have often been reduced to a positive faith-willpower choice and spiritual disciplines issue that can be instantly overcome … “if they only had enough faith” (which typically makes things worse and is not Biblical).
Good news: Mental health is a global tidal wave affecting millions, but the mental health tide is turning in the Church … along with other great organizations and advocates, our work has and is helping thousands globally change lives and the narrative, but so much work still to do.
This “strong vs weak” stigma is an embedded cultural issue — at work and church.
Other reports show mental health is a widely accepted topic, but only in theory (1). An August 2024 workplace study revealed mental health is still stigmatized as "weak."
+ CEOs (81%), HR (72%), and employees (67%) all agree that companies view someone with mental health issues as weak or a burden.
+ Hispanic (80%) and Asian (76%) respondents are significantly more likely to agree that companies consider those with mental health issues weak or a burden (2).
+ 79% of employees report that anti-stigma campaigns in the workplace would be valuable, vs. 23% of employers who have implemented anti-stigma awareness (3).
What about the Church? For example, in the U.K.
+ 91% said mental health stigma remained in the Church.
+ 35% said their church particularly supported mental health (4).
So, a Christian who needs therapy and medication is not thinking it’s a “stigma issue” per se; what they’re really feeling and faced with is … fighting against the ingrained culture. The stigma culture then reinforces that they are defective and unworthy to God and others:
“My faith is so weak and not pleasing to God.”
“It’s my punishment for my sin and weak faith.”
“God is displeased with me — allowing this upon me until I get it together.”
This is far from the Scriptural truth. God gives dignity; He doesn’t destroy it. Life is difficult, but it’s not about our faithfulness; it’s about trusting in His (2 Tim. 2:13).
2. The heart and presence of God are most evident in weakness, and therapeutic intervention is part of God’s healing and restoration, both spiritual and natural, not one or the other.
Biblical "weakness" often includes the meaning of "infirmities" (i.e., sicknesses of any kind, and this would include mental health challenges). It's where God is sometimes most evident — where we should be if we take the time to look (James 1:27 and 2:5). When you get deep into soteriology (i.e., the study of salvation), the very concept includes therapeutic and healing care (see helpful article).
For example, in Luke 11:30-37, Jesus is responding to a theological and legal expert wanting to justify his own righteousness by asking, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus specifically and radically defines our neighbor as first the “weak” and how we need to respond to their pain-point needs (which includes therapeutic healing and restorative care). The story is about going out of our way to rescue the “weak,” with restorative care (a safe place to heal, medicine, and covering the expense). It is both spiritual and natural, not one or the other.
God longs to be with His children in all their "weakness" ... all of His creation. Distance is a foreign concept to Him.
This Good Samaritan story has a double meaning. First, Jesus is what God the Father looks like in response to caring for His hurting children, even and especially more so in “weakness.” Second, we are to “Go and do the same” for our “neighbor” (v. 37).
For now, this is a short overview to capture God’s heart. In the future, I will release more in-depth material to cover more Biblical insights into why God approves of our medical interventions.
3. Why Christians should consider professional therapy (to discover a more meaningful and fruitful life — get unstuck).
Not everyone needs a therapist, but when you feel mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually stuck (e.g., ruminating negative thoughts, a decrease in lifestyle, relationships, etc.). Seeing a professional is not because you’re weak per se, it’s about discovering how resilient you really are to work down, AND work through the challenge. You’ll discover a more meaningful and fruitful life!
Why?
According to various research studies, suffering and struggle can be a gateway to deeper personal and spiritual growth. That’s what “character” is about Biblically, and our “character” grows through challenge, not a magic wand or arrival (see Romans 5:1-5). A therapist (or mental health coach) might be the significant piece to your journey.
Here’s why therapy and mental health coaching are great for Christians!
(a) Growth Tools! Many of the therapeutic tools today are research-proven to work in decreasing many difficult symptoms, improving life meaning and satisfaction. To improve (even heal) whole-person well-being!
(b) Growth tools are Scriptural: Verses like Colossians 3:1-3, Philippians 4:4-9, and many others can easily be tied to psychological concepts and therapeutic tools called “Reframing.” These Scriptures, like therapy, help reframe to security, safety, and confidence (with spirituality) in facing challenges (not shrinking or avoiding them). Then, incorporating prayer into these practices can heighten your spiritual growth — your “in Christ” safety.
There are more scientific and Scriptural overlaps, but that’s just one aspect.
(c) Professional Christians: Thousands of amazing Christian therapists (and mental health coaches) will affirm your faith journey, not inject or impose their doctrine or beliefs, nor guide you away from God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. In fact, you will see your union “in Christ” grow from their expert knowledge, insights, and tools.
In fact, we have many incredible therapists and mental health coaches who partner and use our curricula within their practice because of the growth it aids their clients.
Tip: You don’t need them to be your best friend, just someone safe and trustworthy. We are all different personalities. If you don’t seem to connect, find another therapist (they know they won’t connect with everyone, too - they may even encourage or help you find another therapist - or coach).
The Goal with professional help is that it will help you get unstuck, see your life become more meaningful, fruitful (Gal. 2:22-24), and your life wonderfully conforming to Christ (Rom. 8:26-29), in union fellowship with Jesus, being fully free to be your unique self (Gal. 5:1).
4. Why Christians should consider mental health medications (stabilizing for growth).
Did you know that the most asked question on the internet and AI Christians are asking and searching for has to do with whether it’s a weak faith to take mental health medications or get help from a therapist?
In our FREE Living Grace and Family Grace workbooks, we cover this difficult “medication” topic among Christians (you can download the workbooks for free). In it, we show how God intervened, restoring King Hezekiah with the medicine of the day. Hezekiah was faithful and prayed! God was responding to his prayer, not with miracle healing … but a medicinal agent (see 2 Kings 20:1-7).
So, like above, if you’re feeling extremely stuck mentally, emotionally, and affecting all aspects of your life, you might consider talking to a doctor (and your therapist) about adding medication.
Here’s why Christians should consider medication if and when needed.
(a) It’s Biblical — Paul encourages Timothy to not only rely on water, but to drink a little wine for a persistent stomach ailment (wine was medicinal). Paul saw healing and miracles in his ministry, but for one of his closest friends, he encouraged “medicine” (1 Tim. 5:23).
NOTE: We have better medicinal agents today, and we do not encourage any form of alcohol for mental or emotional treatment/intervention.
(b) It’s Proven to Help: These medications are not perfect, but they have been studied extensively to provide help (not cure or fix).
(c) Christian and Great Pros: Many Christian doctors and psychiatrists are praying and involved with the best care for their patients. You may find one! I know many Christian doctors with hearts just like good Samaritans (and Chris) who genuinely care for the whole process. AND I also know a doctor, who was not a Christian, but they cared just as much as the Good Samaritan story — and they were known as one of the best doctors in the city!
(d) Christian Pastors/Leaders: Many Christian leaders today have taken or regularly take psychiatric medications for their own mental health wellness and well-being. It’s part of why they are continuing, and even thriving in their ministry and personal lives. Many of them are honest and open about their journey and medications within their churches and ministries.
In fact, I myself have benefited from medication in the past, and I have seasonal check-ups with a great therapist!
Tip: Medications are not a one-size-fits-all pill to cure or fix your challenges. They are not perfect — but many of them are significantly helpful. It’s normal to try various medications until you find one that works well (be patient and communicate with your doctor). Our workbooks have helpful insights and tools for this process.
The goal is to help stabilize your overall wellness and well-being, so that you can be constructive in your growth journey (with community support and therapy/coaching if needed). I have seen many grow personally to the point where they often decrease the number of medications and/or even the dosage.
As stated at the beginning, “it’s not a sin to live with mental health challenges; it’s an opportunity for growth.” You may feel “weak” because of your mental health challenge (or for your loved one), but try to remember this as best you can.
He is GOD IN our weakness, a POWER IN our weakness, a God who inhabits, dwells, and abides with us, not visits when we do enough for Him — He did everything for us and will continue to see you through (see 2 Cor. 12:9-10; John 17:26; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 2:6; Phil. 1:6).
Leave a comment below on what you think and share this with others to start a new tide-turning conversation from stigma to dignity.
Joe Padilla | Grace Alliance
*Note: At Grace Alliance, we are working with the opportunity to educate and equip the Church, not condemning or judging what they don't know. We find church leaders eager to learn, and this reduces mental health stigma! (5)
(1) The 2024 NAMI Workplace Mental Health Poll
(2) New Data Shows Toxic Workplaces and Stigmas Linked to Surge in Employee Mental Health Issues (Business Solver, August 2024).
(3) Mckinsey & Company, National Survey Shows Mental Health Disconnect Between Employees and Employers (2021).
(4) Church and Mental Health Survey (Kintsugi Hope, 2022) and Premier Christianity (April, 2022).
(5) Anthony JS, Johnson A, Schafer J. African American clergy and depression: what they know; what they want to know. J Cult Divers. (2015) 22:118–26.
Taghva, A., Noorbala, A. A., Khademi, M., Shahriari, A., Esfahani, M. N., Asadi, A., Mohsenifar, J., Yousefifard, A., Abolhassani, M., Bolhari, J., Hajebi, A., & Rahnejat, A. M. (2022). Clergy's Viewpoint Change Toward Mental Health and Stigma on Mental Illness: A Short Course Training. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 864806.
