The ministry staff I work with at Inner City Youth Alive (ICYA) walk closely with many people experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, addictions and other challenges. We are not mental health professionals, but we encourage our staff not to underestimate our role as “boots on the ground” ministers.

Research shows that small actions make a long-term difference. As we form secure attachments with youth, they will have greater resilience, feel safe to process what they are experiencing and have a healthier sense of identity. As trust is built, we are often able to encourage and help them to seek out other mental health supports.

We should not assume that mental health struggles are simply the result of someone’s sin or lack of faith. Rather, spiritual care and mental health care are both necessary and should be complementary. Humans are created with bodies, minds, emotions and spirits; the brokenness, sin and evil present in our world have a complex impact on all these areas.

As we walk with people who are suffering, it’s helpful to remember that Jesus also experienced mental anguish. In Gethsemane, Jesus became “deeply troubled and distressed” and he didn’t want to be alone. He said to his closest friends, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch” (Mark 14:33–34).

Stay here: Presence. Keep watch: Prayer. Presence and prayer are two forms of spiritual care that we are uniquely positioned for in our ministry.

Presence

Taking time to be with and listen to someone who is overwhelmed with painful feelings and confusing thoughts makes a real difference. They feel less alone. And our presence becomes a tangible sign of God’s loving presence with them.

Recently, I met with a man I’ve been walking with for many years. He broke down as he talked about some of the recent hurts and challenges he’s faced and the ways he is trying to keep growing and be there for his family. Later that day, in a text message, he thanked me for always being in his corner and showing compassion to him regardless of how he has acted.

Prayer

Prayer is something truly valuable and powerful we can offer people who are facing mental health challenges. In prayer we come with our suffering friends to the One who understands our weakness and groans with us (Hebrews 4:15–16, Romans 8:26). God meets them in their anguish, and they often experience peace, hope, strength or courage. Guilt is forgiven and shame is lifted. Lies are silenced and God opens peoples’ eyes to the truth of their identity and value.

Prayer and presence sometimes lead our friends to concrete steps towards health, such as seeking out mental health or addictions treatment, making a safety plan, or steps towards spiritual freedom. A man who often has thoughts of suicide once gave me his knife and asked me to destroy it so that he would no longer fantasize about using it on himself. Later that day I sent him pictures of the broken blade as a visible sign that he is breaking his agreement with death.

But even when there isn’t healing or relief, we can believe for our friends that, in Jesus, God comes into their deepest darkness. I once heard a man in addiction recovery talk about the difference it had made when a ministry worker was present with him in the middle of his addiction: “He had faith that God was for me before I did … until I could believe it for myself.”