Health Summit: Ministers Deal With Mental Illness Too

January 29, 2020 | Punta Cana, Dominican Republic | Libna Stevens/IAD

Because mental illness among ministers and pastors in non-Adventist denominations has been documented, it’s reasonable to assume that Adventist pastors also suffer from a variety of mental illnesses.

This was the issue raised by Carlos Fayard, MD, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry at Loma Linda University in California, the United States, at the Inter-American Division’s recent health summit held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

“Is there a profile of the minister in regards to mental health?” asked Dr. Fayard. “There is not.” But based on his consultations with Catholic dioceses, reading mental-health surveys of ministers, and speaking with Adventist pastors, he said that the Seventh-day Adventist church should have a program in place to address the problem of mental illness among members of its clergy.

“Pastors have so many difficulties, so many challenges, like any other person, but as far as mental health there are certain elements that are unique in the work of pastoring congregations,” said Fayard.

There is not much research on the subject in the Adventist Church, but Dr. Fayard quoted a 2019 survey done in the Methodist Church with the support of Duke Univeristy, that provided a snapshot of the well-being of the 1,200 ministers that were surveyed.

In regards to emotional well-being, the study, which surveyed 1,200 ministers, found that 8 percent of the clergy suffered from depression and 29 percent felt “down” and without hope – higher percentages than the 5.5 percent of the general population in the United States that suffer from depression. The Methodist study showed that 11 percent of their clergy admitted to suffering from depression in 2008, and showed that that number rose to 13 percent in 2010.

Many of the causes of mental illness and depression revealed in the study included external demands, which include stress related to their work, difficulty in predicting life, and social isolation. The internal demands included feelings of guilt for not accomplishing more in the ministry or being able to complete something, as well as doubting their call to the ministry.

Additional findings
The clergy mental health study also concluded that 45 percent of the pastors surveyed had sought the advice from their family doctors regarding anxiety and stress issues; nearly one fourth of all pastors (23 percent) acknowledged having struggled with mental illness and half of those pastors said the illness had been diagnosed.

“If one does not prevent this state of burnout among ministers a burning fire can develop,” said Dr. Fayard. Some of the findings included that:

• Pastors accede to their own and to their congregations’ demands to perform, neglecting time for self-care and for their own faith nurture.
• On average, pastors surveyed are working 50 hours. A quarter of them work more than 55 hours.
• Nearly 40 percent took less than three days off per month.
• Many ministers neglect exercise, personal devotions and relaxation to find more time to serve to avoid feeling guilty.
• 94 percent said even though they read the bible to prepare for sermons, it rarely nourishes them personally.

In addition, Dr. Fayard reviewed some of the Emotional challenges that pastors face during their ministry work.

External challenges include:

• Conflict of authority – with superior clergymen.
• Polarization among the congregation.
• Exhaustion to being on the spotlight.
• Crisis in the marriage.
• Children are dealing with eating disorders, promiscuous behavior, and abortions.
• Domestic violence
• Infidelity cases

Internal challenges include:

• How they deal with their vocation
• Wrong choice of vocation
• Loneliness
• Bad temper
• Post traumatic stress
• Anxiety
• Serious mental illness

There isn’t a specific profile for a minister because mental illness manifests itself in different ways, according to Fayard. “Sometimes it’s about external and internal demands and sometimes they have bad experiences or it could be genetic.”

A healthy marriage is key

Dr. Fayard believes that what is important among ministers in the Seventh-day Adventist church is “a healthy marriage that provides a better chance of having a positive mental outlook so they are able to function with much more success in the pastoral ministry,” he said.

Dr. Fayard further quoted another survey called “Why Marriage Matters in America”. The study emphasized that in a healthy-marriage context, social health will result which will lead to better physical and mental health, and longer life. In turn, children born into a healthy marriage are more likely to be healthier mentally, more successful in school and social situations, have a better relationship with their parents, and have lower teen pregnancy.

“Marital tension is linked to an increase in cardiac diseases, diabetes, hormonal stress, wounds could take longer to heal, immune system weakens, pressures increase, mood swings, and more,” said Fayard, as he went over studies on effects of marital discord.

It’s important that Adventist leaders ensure that pastors are motivated to  achieve a healthy balance in their work and family lives.

“Having a system of prevention in place, looking out for them, understanding how pastors view the cup, either half empty, half full or full; help identify the issues they are dealing with will aid in helping those dealing with mental illness,” said Fayard.

And to those listening who are anxious, dealing with burnout, Dr. Fayard reminds pastors to

• Pray privately each day.
• Affirm your vocation by remembering Who called you, being clear in your purpose and calling.
• Nurture health relationships. Perhaps seminary classmates are the best ones to understand someone who is in the minister’s shoes.
• Know your profile, what gets you going what drains you.
• Take care of your needs. Learnt o say no and say yes to the things that you need.
• Have an accountability partner, participate in meetings with pastors
• Participate in professional development activities, and
• Keep good physical regiment.
• Remember that family is your first calling.

“Our church needs to be about restoring people,” said Dr. Fayard. “Pastors that need support, need not be afraid to seek help.” Fayard also encouraged administrators and health leaders to ensure that there is a confidential evaluation system in place in regards to mental health, that will in turn to assist pastors in maintaining a positive perspective and feel appreciated and cared for.

To view the Dr. Carlos Fayard’s presentation on Jan. 24, 2020, during Inter-America’s Health Summit, Click HERE