Tim Clinton, president of the American Association of Christian Counselors, said the United States is in the midst of a “mental health disaster” and requires holistic solutions based on a Biblical worldview and starting with families.
“We don’t have a mental health crisis. We do have a mental health crisis,” Clinton said in a recent statement to The Christian Post.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. currently have a mental illness, and 1 in 5 youth (ages 13 to 18) currently or at some point in their lives have a mental illness. He is said to be suffering from mental illness. Serious debilitating mental illness.
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Clinton said faith and family play an important role in preventing the spread of mental illness, especially among America’s youth.
“If you look at today’s culture, what they’re doing is ripping the foundations out from under the fabric of the family, of society. It’s the family, it’s the church, it’s the culture,” Clinton said. said.
“We must do everything we can to maintain as much stability as possible. AACC wants to be a champion of strong relationships. It starts with strong marriages and strong families. Children’s little minds are formed in those homes. There are a lot of children who are growing up with scars and it affects their daily lives,” he explained.
“When you look at all mental health strategies for children, the first step is for mothers and fathers to connect with their children. “And that connection, that relationship piece, is at the heart of any strategy to help kids succeed in life,” he added.
AACC is the world’s largest and most diverse Christian counseling association. Clinton argues that most people who seek mental health services “want God to exist.”
“Our hope in this life is directly related to our relationship with God in Christ,” he said. “Christian counselors bring Jesus to the problem. The true majority of people who seek mental health services are seeking God.”
Despite claims by John MacArthur, the popular pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, Calif., that mental illness does not exist, Ms. He pointed out that society is becoming increasingly aware of different solutions. problem.
“I think people are becoming more aware of mental health-related issues. Some people actually have biology-related issues that make their depression worse. There may be multiple reasons why they don’t bounce back. “I can’t do that,” Clinton said. I am a professional counselor and marriage and family therapist.
“As we understand neuroscience, neurobiology, and brain science, we know that patterns, so-called ruts, can develop in the brain. You can fall into a pattern that you have to overcome,” he added. “The good news is the power of relationships. We’re learning that relationships can have the same effect on the brain as good medicine.”
According to its website, AACC supports Christian counselors, the entire “community of care,” qualified professionals with little or no formal training, pastors, and lay people who work with people with mental health problems. Our goal is to help people effectively serve and counsel people.
The group’s Wright University School of Mental Health Coaching offers education programs ranging from certification courses to continuing education for those who want to become counselors and Christian counselors and coaches.
“Our purpose is to equip clinical, pastoral, and lay caregivers with biblical truth and psychosocial insight to serve hurting people and help them improve their personal integrity, interpersonal skills, emotional well-being, and spiritual well-being. “It is about helping them move towards personal maturity,” the group said.
While counseling, psychology and evidence-based practices can be helpful and can make a difference in a person’s life, Clinton said, “True hope comes from Christ.”
“AACC provides mental health training to Christians so that people who seek help don’t have a hard time finding it. Asking for help is hard. Finding help shouldn’t be.” No,” he said.
Contact: leonardo.blair@christianpost.com Follow Leonardo Blair on Twitter: @leoblair Follow Leonard Blair on Facebook: LeoBlairChristianPost
