Are mental illness and faith mutually exclusive? Join the conversation at the Christian Mental Health Conference 2025
Peck Sim // June 26, 2025, 12:11 pm
How can a Christian reconcile faith with mental illness? Join the conversation. Photo from unsplash
Faith in God has never exempted Christians from the pain of mental affliction.
In the Bible, Elijah sank into depression after ministry burnout (1 Kings 19). Job battled intense sorrow from devastating losses (Job 1-2). King David openly expressed his fears, doubts, anguish and angst in the Psalms. Even Jesus found Himself “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” in the Gethsemane (Matthew 26:38).
Today, people are faced with the convergence of rising global conflicts, economic woes, mounting pressure from work and school, as well as family tensions.
This is fuelling a mental health crisis – not just within the community at large but also in the Church, as revealed insurveys conducted in the last five years.
Some Christians struggle with reconciling seeking medical help for mental illness with faith in God
Many Christians suffer mental illness in silence, unequipped to reconcile their affliction with their faith.
To address this growing concern, the Christian Mental Health Conference (CMHC) – which happens July 9 and 10 at Bethesda Bedok Tampines Church – will offer, for the first time, a new segment featuring an evening fireside chat “An Uncomfortable Conversation: Mental Health & Church”.
An honest conversation
The fireside chat aims to provide a platform for honest conversation on navigating mental health from the lens of the Christian faith. It seeks to surface long-held myths about faith and mental illness, and address difficult questions that may have not have been openly addressed within the Church.
“Some Christians struggle with reconciling seeking medical help for mental illness with faith in God,” said Pastor Chua Seng Lee, Senior Pastor of Bethesda Bedok Tampines Church (BBTC) and a long-time mental health advocate.
“In such cases, faith may unintentionally hinder rather than help. We need to debunk those myths.”
“People are stepping out earlier to seek help but there is a real rise in mental health issues,” said Dr Adrian Loh, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at Promises Healthcare. “We should feel safe to share these issues and not feel judged.”
A mental health issue is a health issue, so seek medical help and journey with a safe community in church, Dr Loh advised.
Featuring voices from the pew, pulpit and practice, this dialogue explores how faith intersects with clinical perspectives of mental health.
Panelists in the dialogue include:
- Felicia Chin, actress, who will share her journey of mental health
- Dr Adrian Loh, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at Promises Healthcare
- Pastor Edric Sng, Deputy Senior Pastor of BBTC and founder of Salt&Light
These voices from the pew, pulpit and practice will address how faith intersects with clinical perspectives of mental health.
“It can be tempting to go too far when responding to mental health issues as a Christian,” said Ps Edric, who will chair the dialogue.
“We can be too dismissive: ‘Just pray harder.’ Or ‘Where’s your faith?’
Is there is room for both Holy Spirit and medical science in the realm of mental health?
“At the other end of the spectrum, we can be too embracing, where everything is psychological and nothing is spiritual, where only medication and therapy are the solutions – ignoring the Saviour.”
The fireside chat will tackle questions such as:
- Is there room for both Holy Spirit and medical science in the realm of mental health?
- How should we, as believers, approach those who say they are struggling?
- What would a church that truly cares look like?
- How do we bring the Light of Jesus into the darkness of the soul and mind?
“Although one conversation won’t solve everything, we need to start somewhere,” Ps Edric pointed out.
“An Uncomfortable Conversation: Mental Health & Church” takes place on Tuesday, July 10 and is open to the public for S$10. Registration closes Monday, June 30. Register here.
This dialogue reflects Salt&Light’s commitment to hold uncomfortable conversations that address issues not always freely discussed in the Church.
This fireside chat is part of CMHC 2025, a conference dedicated to the equipping of Pastors and church leaders. The conference aims to provide a safe space to share and to foster collaboration between the Church’s leadership and Christian mental health professionals.
RELATED STORIES
The heartbreaking truth about the emotional state of our youths – and how we can pray for them
We are an independent, non-profit organisation that relies on the generosity of our readers, such as yourself, to continue serving the kingdom. Every dollar donated goes directly back into our editorial coverage.
Would you consider partnering with us in our kingdom work by supporting us financially, either as a one-off donation, or a recurring pledge?
Support Salt&Light
