At some point, we will all face some sort of challenge with our mental health. Just as changes in our bodies require deep examination, changes in our thought patterns, mood, and behaviors deserve adequate attention and care. However, many within religious communities and communities of color suffer in silence, believing that their mental health struggles indicate weakness or defective faith. How can the Church foster an open dialogue that welcomes pain, trauma, and suffering instead of pushing these raw human experiences away?

In this episode, Chris and Eddie talk to Dr. Monica Coleman, professor of African Studies at the University of Delaware and ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Monica’s memoir “Bipolar Faith: A Black Woman’s Journey with Depression and Faith” addresses the intersections of mental illness, faith, race, and family trauma. She speaks to her rejection of and return to God, how losing her faith was a critical step to experiencing God in a brand new way, and the impact of loving friendships throughout her highs and lows. Throughout this conversation, we pray you find hope in the loyalty of God and find grace for your own story.

Resources:

Follow Monica Coleman on the web:

Check out Monica Coleman’s book “Bipolar Faith” here

Follow Monica Coleman on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/revdrmonica

https://www.instagram.com/revdrmonica/

https://twitter.com/revdrmonica

Mental Health - "Bipolar Faith" with Monica Coleman