LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Research shows that only one in three Black adults with mental health issues receive the care they need, but organizers of the Gospel of Mental Health conference in Lexington want to change that.
Stacey McDonald has been concerned about mental health since she was little.
“I grew up, of course, in the church, which is part of the religious community, and yet I saw the results of my father’s ostracism because of his mental illness,” said McDonald, author and licensed psychologist.
And then she became a pastor and realized how much work remained to be done. She said she has seen worshipers suffer with their families because of mental illness.
And mental health has often been taboo in the black community, particularly in the Church.
These alarming statistics are why religious leaders say they knew they had to reach beyond the pews. Research shows that one in five American adults suffers from a mental health problem. Cost, lack of access and stigma are reasons why people do not seek care.
That’s why First Baptist Church Bracktown of Lexington is joining the conversation as host of Stacey McDonald’s Gospel of Mental Health Conference.
“I think it’s part of our core values here, especially for us in Bracktown, we want to share the light and serve people, and we think this conference will be a great asset in meeting people’s needs,” said Pastor Rodney McFarland. . “Today the modern Church must be a bridge and we cannot just think that Sunday morning services are going to provide all the help that people need.”
McDonald says there will be tools, workshops, vendors and more breathing room.
“So it will not be a single path but a continuing journey towards healing,” he said.
This Sunday is the last day to register for the December 2 conference. Click here to join.
