The literature shows a strong link between spirituality and mental health and well-being … the Church has all the ingredients to transform mental health.
Since 2011, Grace Alliance has established one of the largest networks of Christian mental health groups worldwide … reinventing mental health throughout the Body of Christ.
Why mental health?
The problem, need, and the Grace Alliance solution & model
(Case for Support)
“I’ve seen Gods incredible grace transforming peoples lives. I have many (Grace Alliance group) alumni that are now med compliant, walking with the Lord, and are able to much more effectively deal with the challenges we have.”
Do you see the story behind these numbers?
“Many people continue to grapple with worsened mental health and well-being and face barriers to care.”
Click the image to see the report.
Adults
43% of adults report that they still “feel anxious.”
The majority of adults are reporting clinical levels of anxiety or depression, which remain double the percentage of pre-pandemic levels (1 in 3 “clinical” anxiety).
American Psychiatric Assoc., 2024; Census Bureau, National Center for Health Statistics, 2024
Gen Z
70% of college students report experiencing a mental health challenge since beginning college.
36% of college students are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder (a third of them are also diagnosed with major depressive disorder).
U.S. News Study, 2024; Healthy Minds Study, 2023, Mental Health America, 2023
Suicide has increased 80%
2022-23 were the highest recorded suicide rates ever recorded (up 80% since the year 2000).
NAMI; CDC, 2023
The three main barriers to care:
Stigma (social + spiritual)
Affordability
Accessibility (and a strong distrust of mental health professionals).
For Gen Z, mental health is about spirituality, not just a label and diagnosis.
73.6% of Gen Z non-churchgoing members (respondents), but are not atheists, are looking for churches that address mental health.
74.6% of the same Gen Z respondents reported that they want a church that addresses anxiety and depression.*
Clergy support?
Clergy support is declining … people seeking help with mental health has decreased from 31% in the 1950s to 23% in the 1990s.
However … up to a third of those who do seek help from clergy have serious mental health and impairing issues.
Wang, P. S., Berglund, P. A., & Kessler, R. C. (2003). Patterns and Correlates of Contacting Clergy for Mental Disorders in the United States. Health Services Research, 38(2), 647.
Church support? … We’re helping the growth!
20% of pastors say they offer a mental health “support group.”
20% report they offer mental health training for staff.
68% have a referral list to mental health professionals.
15% report they offer no mental health education, training, support, referrals, etc.
These numbers indicate growth. In the early 2000s, 70% of pastors were not ready to address mental health issues, 30-40% of pastors dismissed mental health as spiritual problems and fewer than 5% of churches had support resources available.
Lifeway research phone survey of 1,000 U.S. Protestant Pastors, Sep. 2021; Rogers, Stanford, Garland, Mental Health, Religion & Culture (2011).
The overall issue and problem … and Grace Solution.
THE ISSUE. Many individuals in our community are facing hopelessness and suicide due to rising and untreated mental health conditions. Without innovative solutions within the Church, our community will suffer from a poor quality of life, increased addiction rates, and a higher likelihood of suicide.
THE PROBLEM. Stigma and accessing affordable professional care continue to be barriers. At the same time, many professionals are ill-equipped to respond with spiritual support. The Church is still behind in addressing mental health needs … with transformative support.
The Grace Alliance Solution & Model
Three principles of our solution model.
“Your work studies are beautifully put together and so life-changing ...”
Free and accessible mental health recovery and thriving worldwide.
Mental health is a discipleship opportunity. Bridging the Church with professionals, we reinvented the “support group” model into a FREE discipleship-growth experience for mental health needs (individuals, couples, and families).
Isaiah 41:17-18 + Isaiah 55:1 + John 4:14 + John 7:37-38 + John 10:10
FREE & ACCESSIBLE because stigma and affordability barriers still make it hard to find hope.
As people first search for "pastor google” to find answers to tough questions (bypassing fears of stigma), Grace Alliance donor partners assist us in providing thousands globally seeking guidance with FREE mental health education, training, and community groups... all essential resources for transforming lives.
“We have no income except for Social Security at this time ... I am not doing well emotionally and may have some PTSD ... I have taken all morning today, to find a free help for me. I was given your name by my daughter and I am happy that I can get help at no cost. Thank you all who support Grace Alliance financially. God Bless You.”
“I’m 48 and on Social Security due to a visual disability, so, needless to say, I’m on a very limited income. Thank you all so much!”
2. The Grace Alliance innovates and implements a proven model.
Grace Alliance offers lay-led groups and free resources that are both proven and effective to support mental health challenges, connecting the church and community.
“Our church has been offering the (Grace Alliance) Living Grace curriculum since 2020, and it has been a valuable resource for bridging the gap between serious mental health issues and theology. I hope to learn more about the other workbooks available and share them with my church’s care ministry leaders to see how we can better meet the needs within our church.”
“I am minister at my church and these resources are very helpful- I have been dubbed as the church mental health strategist around my area it is my aim to assist those who need the assistance THANKS SO MUCH.”
“... I am an Occupational Therapy student working with my church to implement increased inclusively for individuals with disabilities and mental health challenges. I feel that your workbooks will be an amazing addition for my project ... Thank you!”
+ A proven “task-sharing” method in the Church that is effective for individuals and in the community.
Our groups connect the Church and professionals, complementing each other without replacing professional care* or requiring constant one-on-one meetings with church staff or lay leaders (*Grace Alliance groups do not replace professional care - they naturally bridge with them).
“Task sharing can also be utilized to strengthen the community-based crisis care continuum and prevent overreliance on first responders (such as emergency medical services), emergency departments, and psychiatric hospitals. For example, clinical and/or nonclinical workers trained as part of a task-sharing approach can be deployed in community mental health settings to support individuals who have experienced or are experiencing a mental health crisis. In order to expand access to mental health supports in a wide range of contexts, there is an opportunity to move toward long-term sustainability of task-sharing models by leveraging technology, health system innovation, and community support.”
+ We combine proven science and Scripture (in Christ faith) for transformative results for any community.
We’ve specifically designed all of our materials with evidence-based science and tools for mental health wellness and well-being. Integrated with Scripture, our unique approach aims at improving personal and community spirituality.
Our community model helps to naturally break stigma (as our main growth is word of mouth) and transform lives with renewed spirituality (in Christ).
Our published studies show positive outcomes of changed lives. The McKinsey Health Institute research shows this psychosocial “task-sharing” model is effective and contributes to the longevity of life on city-wide levels.
Grace Alliance has published studies showing that its mental health groups in the U.S. and conflict zones help reduce tough symptoms, support trauma recovery, improve mental health, and foster spiritual renewal. Other studies show positive outcomes from Grace Alliance’s mental health coaching and training.
“[Mental health] Stigma is fundamentally a social phenomenon rooted in social relationships and shaped by the culture and structure of society. If stigma emanates from social relationships, the solution to understanding and changing must similarly be embedded in changing social relationships and the structures that change them.”
“The studies reveal that adolescents with personalized and engaging spirituality are 80% less likely to have challenges with continuing and reoccurring depression.”
“Religious service attendance is also longitudinally associated with better mental health, including approximately 20% to 30% lower rates in the incidence of depression and with 3- to 6-fold lower rates of suicide.”
Many of these studies are conducted within Christian communities and practicing Christians.
+ A free, simple group model with high-quality training and live/online support (supporting a growing movement).
Through our FREE group leader training, support, and workbooks, we provide mental health and science insights to equip and prepare group leaders for the mental health ministry's front lines … user-friendly groups to start anywhere, anytime.
With one of the largest Christian mental health group networks, group leaders are connected to support and encourage one another.
As we can, we expand to public webinars to help equip many for free (many attendees are group leaders and participants, and a general curious audience).
In addition, Grace Alliance cofounder Joe Padilla often presents his unique insights at various churches, conferences, seminaries, and universities.
+ With this unique, user-friendly approach, many utilize the resources in churches, group homes, shelters, community centers, schools, and professional clinics. The model is simple to integrate anywhere.
“I have utilized these curriculums to help with Youth at a local Catholic school, persons at my church, and persons in recovery at a sober living facility. I so appreciate you!”
“Thank you for providing this Webinar. The church needs to wake up and realize that there are many among us who live in the shadows of mental illness. We all need Jesus!”
“I previously purchased the (Grace Alliance) Thrive book. It has been helpful with outlining ways to care for my spiritual, physical, and emotional life. Now, I am hoping to mentor some young adults in hopes they are able to experience some of the same benefits from engaging this resource.”
3. How the Grace Alliance free model works.
Free and accessible high-quality training, resources, support, and workbooks for anyone to start one of our groups.
FREE training videos + downloads ($500 value savings per leader).
FREE leader support videos + live online meetings and workshops ($75 value savings for annual subscription per leader).
FREE digital group workbooks for all leaders + participants ($95 value savings for all five workbooks).
Free and accessible resources offer free mental health articles, educational guides, and spiritual solutions to find hope.
FREE Educational ebooks ($20 value savings for both educational guides).
FREE Devotionals ebooks for individuals, couples, and families ($15 value savings for all three devotionals).
FREE blog articles with practical answers to tough mental health and faith questions ($60 value savings for annual subscription).
The added costs for our operations and team are not included in these value savings.
Give with confidence
We appreciate and respect every donor feeling confident about their donations
(Major donors see below).
“I’ve been struggling with depression for about 10 years ... I’ve been asking the Lord show me how to fight this with more victory. Recently, I found your website and read an article ... that helped me ... I have seldom heard something so gentle, healing and kind. I cried with relief through most of it. I thank you for this ministry!”
Major Donors
Are you representing a foundation, organization, or business, or are you interested in making a larger personal donation to Grace Alliance? If so, we’d be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding grant applications, corporate sponsorships, or other opportunities.
Please contact us at admin@mhgracealliance.org to schedule a meeting with Grace Alliance cofounder Joe Padilla.
Have more questions?
Click here to visit our Donor FAQ page or contact us at admin@mhgracealliance.org.