LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 131

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3. MERCY
Him! For those who fear Him have no lack!” (Ps. 34:8, 9b);
and
WHEREAS, According to the National Alliance on Mental
Illness (NAMI), an estimated 22.1 percent of Americans ages
18 and older, about one out of five adults, suffer from an
array of diagnosable mental disorders in a given year (one
of our churches with a membership of 100 has an estimated
20 persons with a mental illness); 10 percent of children
aged 5–16 have a clinically diagnosable mental health
problem and 70 percent have not had appropriate
interventions to treat them (National Mental Health
Foundation)—such diagnosable mental disorders ranging
from traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress, bipolar
disorder, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder, and schizophrenia and including addictions and
eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia, with other
disorders on the increase that include autism and
Alzheimer’s Disease; and
WHEREAS, Mental illness or a mental disorder has a
downward spiral effect in families and among people that
may include behavioral malfunctions, addictions, marital
problems leading to divorce, loss of job, incarceration, and
suicide, and it is estimated that 90 percent of people
committing suicide suffer from a diagnosable mental
illness (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention); and
WHEREAS:
• There is a stigma among the mentally ill to
understand their illness and a fear of being
identified with a mental illness/disorder;
• Because mental illness carries with it an
undesirable regard, there is indecision among the
mentally ill to get help;
• Mental illness is different from a physical illness in
the way it is treated and understood;
• Due to reasons like stigma and lack of access to the
mental health system, the average delay between
experiencing symptoms and seeking help is 10
years (the executive director of NAMI, Mary
Giliberti); and
• Mental illnesses and mental disorders present
both challenges and problems for pastors and
congregations because of the stigma connected
with the illness and/or disorder from the one
suffering from it to the ones ministering to them,
attempting to provide care and compassion to
their members;
and
WHEREAS, Our pastors, church workers, and
congregations may be ill-equipped to provide ministry and
compassionate care to those suffering from a mental
illness/disorder—to more fully understand the plight of
human need regarding those suffering mental illness and to
draw from Scripture that which is needed to provide them
Resolutions

with compassionate, caring, knowledgeable, effective
ministry; therefore be it
Resolved, That our seminaries, universities, and
recognized service organizations be encouraged to
continue to strive for improved training in mental illness,
health, and wellness for those studying to be pastors and
church workers; and be it further
Resolved, That we encourage the seminaries and
universities to include continuing education opportunities
and resources regarding the topic of mental illness; and be
it further
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
districts work to provide additional training to all workers
through partnerships with our seminaries, our Concordias,
and other trusted experts in the field; and be it finally
Resolved, That we encourage our pastors, church
workers, and congregations to actively advocate for mental
health and wellness in their congregations, among their
people, and provide Christ-centered compassion and
ministerial supportive care to those in need through prayer,
private confession and absolution, and the means of grace.
Action: Adopted as amended (6)
It was suggested after some discussion to substitute “mental
illness” for “mental health” in the second resolve; this carried
[Yes: 822; No: 90]. It was subsequently suggested, without
objection, to insert “illness” before “health and wellness” in the
first resolve.
It was moved and seconded to amend the resolution’s seventh
whereas by striking the words “mental illness or a mental
disorder has” and inserting instead “severe mental illnesses are
biological brain disorders which have.” During discussion on the
amendment, the orders of the day were called; the chair put close
of debate on the amendment to a vote; this carried [Yes: 810; No:
107]. The amendment failed [Yes: 99; No: 836]. The chair put
the closure of debate on the resolution before the body; this
carried [Yes: 777; No: 120] and Res. 3-04A was adopted as
amended [Yes: 794; No: 150].

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2019 (67TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 131