

084: Mental Illness or Spiritual Issue? And how they connect (with Dr. Matthew Stanford)
Research tells us that when people suffer from a mental health crisis, the first person they turn to for help is not a physician, a psychiatrist, or a social worker, but a pastor, a priest, or a minister. Unfortunately, many church leaders are not trained to recognize mental illness and don’t know when to refer someone to a mental health professional. And how do we know the difference between a mental illness and a spiritual issue?
This is what we are talking about with Dr. Matthew Sanford, author of Grace for the Afflicted: A Clinical and Biblical Perspective on Mental Illness, and CEO of the Hope and Healing Center in Houston, TX.
Other books by Dr. Stanford:
- The Biology of Sin: Grace, Hope and Healing for Those Who Feel Trapped
- Madness and Grace: A Practical Guide for Pastoral Care and Serious Mental Illness
Dive deeper in our new book, Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection, and learn about our trainings and other resources at embodiedfaith.life.
Stay Connected:
- Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort.
- Join the Embodied Faith community to stay connected and get posts, episodes, & resources.
- Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).