We want to constantly reinforce awareness and sometimes that means reading a lot of good books. Whether it is mental health for pastors or ways to integrate Christian practices into counseling sessions, we have it below.
We will only be recommending books we think are worth it and will have links to reviews for those who want to better understand why we think this is a good book for you. This will be an ever-growing list, so hit us up on social media if you think of a book that is not featured below.
Troubled Minds
Amazon | Audible | Our Review
In Troubled Minds Amy Simpson, whose family knows the trauma and bewilderment of mental illness, reminds us that people with mental illness are our neighbors and our brothers and sisters in Christ, and she shows us the path to loving them well and becoming a church that loves God with whole hearts and whole souls, with the strength we have and with minds that are whole as well as minds that are troubled.
Mental Health and the Church
In Mental Health and the Church, Dr. Stephen Grcevich presents a simple and flexible model for mental health inclusion ministry for implementation by churches of all sizes, denominations, and organizational styles. The model is based upon recognition of seven barriers to church attendance and assimilation resulting from mental illness: stigma, anxiety, self-control, differences in social communication and sensory processing, social isolation and past experiences of church.
Grace For The Afflicted
Amazon | Audible | Our Review
Why has the church struggled in ministering to those with mental illnesses? Each day men and women diagnosed with mental disorders are told they need to pray more and turn from their sin. Mental illness is equated with demonic possession, weak faith, and generational sin. As both a church leader and a professor of psychology and behavioral sciences, Matthew S. Stanford has seen far too many mentally ill brothers and sisters damaged by well-meaning believers who respond to them out of fear or misinformation rather than grace.
Disability and the Church
Disability and the Church is a practical and theological reconsideration of the church’s responsibilities to the disabled community. Too often disabled persons are pushed away from the church or made to feel unwelcome in any number of ways. As Hardwick writes, This should not be. He insists that the good news of Jesus affirms God’s image in all people, and he offers practical steps and strategies to build stronger, truly inclusive communities of faith.
I Love Jesus, But I Want To Die
Amazon | Audible | Our Review
In I Love Jesus, but I Want to Die, author and experienced ministry leader Sarah J. Robinson offers fresh perspective to the Church and life-giving hope for those who live with mental illness. With unflinching honesty, Robinson shares proven tools and simple practices that empower readers to fight for wholeness, giving them the confidence that they are not alone in their suffering and they are worth whatever it takes to get well.
Anxious
Amazon | Audible | Our Review
Anxious: Choosing Faith in a World of Worry by Amy Simpson is a book on the mental health topic it’s titled after. It explores as Christians how we are to respond to situation and personal stories of anxiety, noting that the easy “Christian quips” of “just pray more” are not helpful and then gives Scripture and practical advice on how to proceed. The personal nature of this book makes it feel authentic, giving insight into big concerns like her experience of coming toe to toe with a bear in Alaska, but also trying to control how her day or week may go in a stressful week.
Sharing Love Abundantly In Special Needs Families
Amazon | Audible | Our Review
Between the worry, the doctor’s appointments, and the thousand small challenges of everyday life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and exhausted. The idea of showing abundant love to every member of your family can feel like a daunting task. Jolene Philo has been there. And in this wise, warm, practical guide, she and Dr. Gary Chapman show you how the 5 love languages can help strengthen your marriage and family life—whatever your needs.
Dreamland
Amazon | Audible | Our Review
In 1929, in the blue-collar city of Portsmouth, Ohio, a company built a swimming pool the size of a football field; named Dreamland, it became the vital center of the community. Now, addiction has devastated Portsmouth, as it has hundreds of small rural towns and suburbs across America–addiction like no other the country has ever faced. How that happened is the riveting story of Dreamland.
The Body Keeps the Score
Amazon | Audible | Our Review (coming soon)
Trauma is a fact of life. Veterans and their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat; one in five Americans has been molested; one in four grew up with alcoholics; one in three couples have engaged in physical violence. Such experiences inevitably leave traces on minds, emotions, and even on biology. Sadly, trauma sufferers frequently pass on their stress to their partners and children.
Renowned trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk has spent over three decades working with survivors. In The Body Keeps the Score, he transforms our understanding of traumatic stress, revealing how it literally rearranges the brain’s wiring—specifically areas dedicated to pleasure, engagement, control, and trust. He shows how these areas can be reactivated through innovative treatments including neurofeedback, mindfulness techniques, play, yoga, and other therapies.
The Struggle Is Real
Amazon | Our Review (coming soon)
These and many other problems confront our culture today in alarming proportions. Consequently, mental and relational health issues find their way home. To everyones home.
People with these and other concerns typically turn first to the church for help. Yet most churches are not equipped to adequately minister to the depth and magnitude of these overwhelming problems. This book was created as a comprehensive resource to provide the church with practical tools to care for these hurting people in a biblically sound and emotionally healthy way.
Boundaries
Amazon | Audible | Our Review (coming soon)
Having clear boundaries is essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. In other words, boundaries define who we are and who we are not. Boundaries impact all areas of our lives. Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend offer biblically-based answers to these and other tough questions, showing us how to set healthy boundaries with our parents, spouses, children, friends, co-workers, and even ourselves.
Boundaries for Your Soul
Amazon | Audible | Our Review
Do your emotions control you or do you control your emotions? Many people let guilt, anger, or self-criticism dominate their lives and negatively affect their relationships. Boundaries for Your Soul shows you how to calm the chaos within.
It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way
Amazon | Audible | Our Review
What went wrong? Why did God let this happen?
Reality often ends up so very far from the life we long for, doesn’t it? Bible teacher Lysa TerKeurst deeply understands daily disappointments and life-altering loss. By walking through her own valley, she’s discovered that in God we can find unexpected strength as we wrestle well between our faith and feelings.
I Am Not Sick, I Don’t Need Help!
Amazon | Audible | Our Review
About 50% of all people with schizophrenia and manic-depression do not understand that they are ill and refuse treatment.
Whether you are a family member or a therapist, in this book you will find hope in what the new research is revealing about the problem of poor insight into illness.
The Youth Worker’s Guide to Helping Teenagers in Crisis
When youth work becomes crisis managers. Anyone who stays in youth ministry for a while will encounter significant crises. Family break-ups, substance abuse, sexual assault, eating disorders, cutting, suicide, gun violence But without proper and immediate care, crises like these can cause years of emotional pain and spiritual scarring in students.
Sparks of Redemptive Grace
Mental illness impacts millions of families each year. Sparks of Redemptive Grace provides an authentic view of one family’s transparent hope in God’s unfailing love, hewn in the fires of fear and faith.
Group’s Emergency Response Handbook for Youth Ministry
Amazon | Our Review (coming soon)
Teens face difficult, painful stuff in life–and they shouldn’t struggle alone. But what do you say? How do you help? What if you make things worse?
This rapid-response handbook gives you and your youth group the confidence to share God’s love and comfort with hurting friends.
Anxious For Nothing
Amazon | Audible | Our Review
When it comes to anxiety, depression, and stress-related illnesses, America is the frontrunner. Thankfully, there’s a practical prescription for dealing with them. Anxious for Nothing, from New York Times bestselling author, Max Lucado, provides a roadmap for battling with and healing from anxiety.