As Black faith leaders, our worship has sustained us through the worst of times. It’s no secret that the congregants and communities we serve have endured untold traumas and survived and even thrived in some of the most oppressive conditions and social climates. However, given the mental health challenges of today’s world, the faith leaders who incorporate trauma-informed care into their work, are the leaders who will help us survive the trials of today.
In the past, I, like many other Christians thought that following Christ meant excluding all other forms of mental health support. However, in the course of my work supporting various faith communities as they adopted a mental-health-focused approach to trauma, I began to understand that faith and mental health care are not at odds, but rather provide Christians with the perfect blend of faith and works to help them on their healing journeys.
Simply put, trauma-informed care acknowledges the powerful impact of trauma on individuals and communities and provides a supportive framework for healing. This specific form of mental health acknowledges the effects of trauma on individuals and seeks to offer a supportive environment that fosters healing. Whether caused by personal loss, systemic injustice, or the chaos of the digital world, trauma deeply affects how people engage with their communities—and with their faith.
Research and personal experience show that prayer is often the first action many Black people take when faced with mental pain. However, when we couple that fact with the reality that only about 25% of Black Americans are likely to seek professional mental health support as opposed to 40% of our white counterparts, we can see there is space for compassion and care that Black faith leaders are uniquely suited to fill.
This means that all faith and youth leaders should spend time learning more about the traumas people in their communities might be facing and how they can better support them through a trauma-informed approach.
When you’re ready to start your journey toward implementing trauma-informed care, Alliance for Greater Works will be here to guide you.
We invite you to explore our program offerings here.