The church has always been meant to be a place of hope, healing, and support. Here in Hawaiʻi, where community (‘ohana) is everything, our churches can play a huge role in mental health wellness. In fact, studies show many people turn to their pastors first when facing mental distress – even more often than they turn to doctors. This means our local pastors and ministry leaders are on the front lines of the mental health battle. The question is, how can the church respond in a way that truly helps?

From Stigma to Support: First, we must continue breaking the stigma. When church members hesitate to talk about depression, anxiety, or marriage problems for fear of judgment, suffering remains hidden. Pastors and elders can set the tone by speaking openly about mental health from the pulpit. Simply acknowledging that “Christians struggle too” and that getting help is wise can liberate someone in the pews. We’ve seen some Big Island churches start to do this – for example, a pastor might share his own story of counseling or mention that he refers church members to professional therapists as needed. Such transparency sends a powerful message: seeking help is normal and encouraged, not a sign of spiritual failure.

I personally know of several local Big Island pastors who are deeply committed to reducing the stigma around mental health and fostering a holistic approach to healing that cares for mind, body, and spirit. When a church leader openly values counseling, it helps the whole congregation feel safer to reach out.

You don’t need to be a professional counselor to make a difference, though. Churches can start support groups or partner with Christian counseling centers. Some congregations host workshops on topics like grief, stress management, or parenting, bringing in a Christian counselor, or someone who has benefited from therapy as a guest speaker. Imagine the impact if more churches in Hilo, Kona, and across Hawaiʻi regularly highlighted mental wellness as part of discipleship.

Practical Steps for Churches:

Pastor’s Perspective: “I’ve realized that prayer and professional counseling go hand in hand for our congregation,” shares one Hilo pastor. “Referring our members to therapy when needed has lifted burdens I couldn’t carry alone. It’s still God doing the healing — He’s just using more of the body of Christ to do it.”

• Educate and Refer
  Pastors aren’t expected to have all the answers—but they can play a powerful role by learning about trustworthy resources. Keeping a list of reputable Christian counselors—and respectful secular providers who honor a person’s faith—can make all the difference when someone’s needs go beyond what can be addressed in pastoral counseling alone.

• Local practices like Akua Family Therapy are examples of helpful referral resources. Aaron Collins, LMFT and director of Akua Family Therapy, meets monthly with a network of fellow Christian therapists for collaboration and support. He also connects regularly with Marriage and Family Therapists and other licensed professionals, regardless of their faith background. If Akua Family Therapy isn’t the right fit, we’re always happy to refer individuals to another trusted provider in our network.

• Mentorship and Prayer Teams: Train willing members to be lay counselors or mentors who can meet and pray with those struggling. While not a substitute for professional therapy, a peer support or Stephen Ministry can complement it, providing consistent encouragement and prayer.
  
  

• Sermons and Small Groups: Dedicate a sermon series or small group study to mental health from a biblical perspective. Cover what Scripture says about anxiety (“Cast all your cares on Him,” 1 Peter 5:7), depression (many Psalms of lament show believers crying out to God), and hope. By rooting discussions in the Bible, churches can dispel the myth that the Bible is silent on emotional pain.
  
  

• Testimonies: Invite individuals (with their permission) to share testimonies of how counseling helped them. An anonymous example or a live testimony can powerfully break the ice. When a church member hears, “I’m a lifelong Christian, and counseling helped save my marriage,” it normalizes the idea of seeking help.
  
  

• Collaborate with Professionals: Consider hosting a seminar with a local Christian therapist or a Q&A panel with mental health professionals who are believers. This builds a bridge between the church and the counseling field. It reassures folks that therapy isn’t a foreign world but part of God’s toolbox for healing.
  
  

Hope for the ‘Ohana: By embracing mental health outreach, the church lives out the call to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). It’s about creating an environment where someone can say, “I’m not okay today,” and know they will be met with love and practical help. We’ve seen youth groups address teen anxiety, men’s ministries talk about overcoming pornography addiction, and women’s fellowships support each other through postpartum depression – all by coupling prayer with a willingness to get outside help. This is faith in action. When the church stands alongside those who are hurting, encouraging them to seek counseling when needed, we reflect Jesus’ heart as the Good Shepherd who cares for the whole person.

Call to Action: If you’re a church leader on the Big Island (or anywhere in Hawaiʻi), consider this an invitation to champion mental health in your community. You can start small: share a mental health article in your bulletin, or remind your congregation that seeking counsel is a sign of wisdom. If you’re a church member, pray for your pastors and offer to help start a conversation about counseling in your church. Together, we can ensure our spiritual communities are places where it’s safe to say “I need help,” and where finding help – through prayer and therapy – is celebrated as an act of faith and strength. And remember, resources like Akua Family Therapy are here to partner with churches, whether through referrals or workshops, as we all work together to build a healthier, hope-filled Hawaiʻi Island.