Can Churches Lead Mental Health Revival?

Most Americans are aware that there is an epidemic of mental health problems in our nation. In his article published at the Deseret News, Daniel Amen stated, “America is in the middle of a brain health crisis” that is “draining our families, our future, and our faith.” He wrote, “Depression, anxiety, suicide, addiction, Alzheimer’s, and obesity aren’t just rising – they’re exploding.” 

According to Amen, millions of people are suffering silently because “Government systems are overwhelmed” and “Schools are under-resourced.” He believes that there is one “powerful and overlooked solution” that is in plain sight – the Church.

Faith communities are uniquely positioned to lead a mental health revival – not just as spiritual centers but as healing hubs for the whole person. They are already rooted in the places where people gather, search for meaning, and long for hope. And true healing isn’t just medical. It’s biological, psychological, social, and spiritual. We call this the Whole-4 Approach.

At Amen Clinics, we’ve studied nearly 300,000 brain scans over several decades. What we’ve discovered flips the entire mental health conversation: Most psychiatric problems are not “mental” at all. They’re brain health issues that steal people’s minds and joy. But you can’t heal a brain in isolation. You need food, movement, connection, truth, and purpose.

That’s why churches matter so much.

Faith communities do what government can’t. They mobilize volunteers, offer accountability, build small groups, and provide purpose, and they can – and have – done so regularly to serve their communities. Most importantly, they help heal all four circles at once.

It starts with biology. Your brain controls every decision you make. If your brain isn’t working right, nothing else will either….

But biology is only part of it. The psychological dimension matters, too.

Scripture tells us to “take every thought captive” (2 Corinthians 10:5) because our thoughts shape our lives. We help people eliminate the automatic negative thoughts and replace them with truth. In supportive faith communities, people find tools to handle trauma, grief, and anxiety. Healing the mind isn’t just about praying passionately. It’s about retraining though patterns, confronting lies, and practicing gratitude.

Faith offers meaning. Neuroscience provides tools. Together, they’re powerful.

Then there’s the social aspect of the brain, perhaps the most visibly broken in our culture. The Bible reminds us that “it is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18), yet we live in the loneliest generation in history. Kids socialize through screens instead of conversations. Adults are more isolated and divided. Weekly services, small groups, and prayer circles are not just nice ideas. They’re prescriptions in disguise.

Real connection improves mood, lowers stress, and strengthens resilience. When houses of worship prioritize relationships, healing flourishes.

Finally, we must talk about the spiritual circle. We are not just bodies with thoughts. We are eternal souls made in the image of God. Without purpose, the brain withers. Without identity, the heart breaks. But churches can rewrite that script by speaking life, identity, and hope into people, anchoring souls in truth….

The brain can change. The mind can heal. The soul can awaken. And it can all begin in the house of God. [Emphasis added.]