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When Hurting People Come to Church: How People of Faith Can Help Solve the Mental Health Crisis
People are hurting at a scale we’ve never seen. They’re dealing with an onslaught of issues like anxiety, grief, mental illness, family troubles, and hopelessness. Pastors and counselors can’t see everyone in need. This book can help.
Based on national research with more than 2,000 church leaders, social researcher and bestselling author Shaunti Feldhahn and psychologist and professor Dr. James Sells show how this is the church’s moment –and present a tested vision that is already thriving in churches of every size across the country!
We have an incredible opportunity to bring healing to the hurting, take the load off of the already-too-busy pastor and counselor, and grow healthy church communities of care—for now and many years to come.
Today, we face a dramatic rise in every psychological and spiritual need, just as affordable counseling solutions are more difficult to find. For perspective, 25 million people—more than the population of Florida—are not getting help for severe anxiety alone. Enter the church and millions of Christian lay people who understand brokenness, grace, and the power of relationship.
In every community, the church has the opportunity to be a key place people go for help . In fact, church growth experts describe this type of church care ministry as the evangelism, discipleship, and church growth method of the 21st century.
This book will share how this works, and equip you as a busy leader understand the mental health crisis in your communityraise up motivated lay people within the church to help address the spiritual and emotional needs of the hurtingpartner with counselors and other mental health professionals most effectivelyorganize the church’s time and resources to reach the most people, while freeing you to step in where you are most neededgrow your outreach to your communityDon’t miss this opportunity to meet people’s needs, grow your people, and grow your church.
Based on national research with more than 2,000 church leaders, social researcher and bestselling author Shaunti Feldhahn and psychologist and professor Dr. James Sells show how this is the church’s moment –and present a tested vision that is already thriving in churches of every size across the country!
We have an incredible opportunity to bring healing to the hurting, take the load off of the already-too-busy pastor and counselor, and grow healthy church communities of care—for now and many years to come.
Today, we face a dramatic rise in every psychological and spiritual need, just as affordable counseling solutions are more difficult to find. For perspective, 25 million people—more than the population of Florida—are not getting help for severe anxiety alone. Enter the church and millions of Christian lay people who understand brokenness, grace, and the power of relationship.
In every community, the church has the opportunity to be a key place people go for help . In fact, church growth experts describe this type of church care ministry as the evangelism, discipleship, and church growth method of the 21st century.
This book will share how this works, and equip you as a busy leader understand the mental health crisis in your communityraise up motivated lay people within the church to help address the spiritual and emotional needs of the hurtingpartner with counselors and other mental health professionals most effectivelyorganize the church’s time and resources to reach the most people, while freeing you to step in where you are most neededgrow your outreach to your communityDon’t miss this opportunity to meet people’s needs, grow your people, and grow your church.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published September 23, 2025
About the author
Shaunti Feldhahn
103 books360 followersShaunti received her graduate degree from Harvard University and was an analyst on Wall Street before unexpectedly becoming a social researcher, best-selling author and popular speaker. Today, she applies her analytical skills to investigating eye-opening, life-changing truths about relationships, both at home and in the workplace. Her groundbreaking research-based books, such as For Women Only, have sold more than 2 million copies in 23 languages and are widely read in homes, counseling centers and corporations worldwide.
Her newest book, The Kindness Challenge, is catalyzing a movement of kindness across the country and beyond. Dozens of prominent organizations and leaders are coming together to do The 30-Day Kindness Challenge, and encourage their followers to do the same.
Shaunti’s findings are regularly featured in media as diverse as The Today Show and Focus on the Family, The New York Times and Cosmo. She (often with her husband, Jeff) speaks at 50 events a year around the world. Shaunti and her husband Jeff live in Atlanta with their teenage daughter and son, and two cats who think they are dogs.
Her newest book, The Kindness Challenge, is catalyzing a movement of kindness across the country and beyond. Dozens of prominent organizations and leaders are coming together to do The 30-Day Kindness Challenge, and encourage their followers to do the same.
Shaunti’s findings are regularly featured in media as diverse as The Today Show and Focus on the Family, The New York Times and Cosmo. She (often with her husband, Jeff) speaks at 50 events a year around the world. Shaunti and her husband Jeff live in Atlanta with their teenage daughter and son, and two cats who think they are dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 14, 2026
The 1st half of this book was more of an explanation for why churches could/should take on mental health issues at varying levels. In my opinion, if you are already convinced there is a mental health crisis and the church could/should be the solution, you could skip all of it.
The 2nd half, which began with the chapter on Listening, was more “how” to be a good lay listener. I am giving this book 5 stars because of the 2nd half which I found to be so much more interesting, engaging, practical and helpful!
Love these ideas in this book and the heart behind them. There is definitely a void for church-relationships-with-depth in my experience, so we absolutely need the intentionality of this rather than just continuing to wait for it to organically happen while people suffer “alone” in our churches. We need one another and I believe our hurts are valuable in helping us empathize and connect with others.
The 2nd half, which began with the chapter on Listening, was more “how” to be a good lay listener. I am giving this book 5 stars because of the 2nd half which I found to be so much more interesting, engaging, practical and helpful!
Love these ideas in this book and the heart behind them. There is definitely a void for church-relationships-with-depth in my experience, so we absolutely need the intentionality of this rather than just continuing to wait for it to organically happen while people suffer “alone” in our churches. We need one another and I believe our hurts are valuable in helping us empathize and connect with others.
February 22, 2026
A practical solution for churches in the midst of America’s mental health crisis
October 20, 2025
A useful resource for churches who are interested in setting up a mental health ministry. Very specific action steps that are practical and helpful.
November 10, 2025
A pretty decent bug that will help start really great conversations. Also very practical.
March 2, 2026
This was a helpful resource for thinking through effective structured response to the mental health crisis at church.
July 10, 2026
practical, informative, well-written and organized
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews