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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 161

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
R60

Report on Efforts to Address Mental
Health and Mental Illness
(2023 Res. 3-03A)
As directed by the 2023 convention, LCMS Health Ministry, under the Office of National Mission (ONM), provided leadership and
coordination to address a broad spectrum of issues related to mental
health, suicide prevention, mental illness and disorders. There was
ongoing collaboration among ONM ministries, particularly Life
Ministry, Youth Ministry, Disaster Response and Training, Specialized Spiritual Care Ministry, and Worker Wellness. Synod entities,
agencies, auxiliaries and recognized service organizations collaborated on these important topics throughout the triennium as well.
LCMS Health Ministry’s focus was to promote a Christ-centered approach to mental health by equipping church workers, individuals, congregations, and schools with tools and support that aid
in wellness of body and soul, mind and spirit.

Resources and Programs, Easily Accessed and
Widely Available
Two community-oriented secular programs were identified
to be helpful to Lutherans because of their nature of being easily accessed and widely available. The United States National 988
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is freely available via phone, text and
internet. This helpline provides immediate access to experts and
emergency support during a mental health crisis.
Also identified was the training program Mental Health First
Aid. This secular program is customizable to add Lutheran theology when taught by LCMS instructors. There are LCMS supplementary videos and resources available, including an online video
course hosted on LCMSlearning.org.

Newly Developed Resources and Programs for
Spiritual Care
Lutheran care for souls troubled by mental health challenges is
focused on providing ongoing spiritual care through the Church.
Christ-centered compassion and ministerial supportive care is provided to those in need through prayer, private Confession and Absolution, and the Means of Grace (God’s Word and Sacraments).
ONM resources for mental health and illness can be found on
the Synod webpage: lcms.org/social-issues/mental-health.
Two distinctly Lutheran online video-based courses were created with oversight provided by LCMS psychologists. The courses
were made freely available on LCMSlearning.org with financial
support provided by the LWML. One course is specifically focused
on care provided to children and youth. The other is a program
that provides Lutheran theological content for secular training programs such as Mental Health First Aid, QPR, and LivingWorks.
A resource set, “Restoring Hope: Care for Mental Health,” was
created directly by LCMS Health Ministry, with funding provided
by the LWML. The resources offer guidance on providing spiritual
support to individuals, caregivers, and others who are navigating
various mental health challenges. Published in English and Spanish, the resources provide pertinent Scripture passages, hymns,
theological reflection and prayers for common mental health issues,
as well as other valuable resources and information. Thousands of
copies of the print forms have been distributed to date.

161

LCMS Health Ministry collaborated with LCMS Specialized
Spiritual Care Ministry to provide resources and training through
the new Lutheran Visitation Education program for chaplaincy
roles and parish church workers, along with the ongoing continuing
education for specialized spiritual care workers.

Promotion of Mental Health
Bible studies, resources, and campaigns were developed to care
for people within and outside the Church and to reduce stigma
around mental illness and bias against persons suffering from mental illness or seeking help.

Digital Media
•

Created an ongoing social media awareness campaign with
regular posting on Facebook and Instagram.

•

Published podcast series and episodes on ONM podcasts
God’s Mission Here, Friends for Life, and End Goals.

Educational Events
Live presentations were provided to congregations, church
workers, parish nurses, district webinars, national conferences, and
participants at the LCMS Youth Gathering.

Mental Health Collaboration with Agencies,
Auxiliaries, and RSOs
LCMS Health Ministry has coordinated and collaborated with
numerous Synod entities, agencies, and recognized service organizations (RSOs), including Concordia University System, Concordia Publishing House, Concordia Plan Services, KFUO Radio, and
the LWML.
Grants were provided to RSOs and congregations for mental
health programs:
•

Concordia Counseling

•

DOXOLOGY

•

GracePoint Institute for Relational Health

•

Lutheran Family Service, Iowa

•

Lutherans For Life

•

Lutheran Counseling and Family Services of Wisconsin

•

Night of Hope

•

Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat

ONM will continue to equip, resource, collaborate, and coordinate the ongoing efforts to address mental health and mental illness
issues remaining focused on Jesus Christ, who invites us to cast our
burdens on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
Daniel M. Galchutt, ONM Executive Director
R61

Opinions of the Commission
on Constitutional Matters
The following opinions of the Commission on Constitutional Matters were issued since the report to the 2023 convention and were
selected by the commission’s chairman as being of general interest
to the Synod (for example, reviews of agency bylaws and policy
manuals are not included unless of specific interest). Full commission minutes are reported at lcms.org/ccm.
2026 Convention Workbook