#220:Shaunti Feldhahn: When Hurting People Come to Church

Did you know that more than 25 million people in the U.S.—a number greater than the entire population of Florida—are not receiving the support they need for severe anxiety? In this episode, we speak with Shaunti Feldhahn, co-author of When Hurting People Come to Church: How People of Faith Can Help Solve the Mental Health Crisis, about the vital role the local church can play in bridging the enormous gap between those who need mental health support and the professionals available to provide it. Currently, it's estimated that we are short over 100,000 mental health professionals—a deficit driven by the overwhelming demand for care. But there is hope. Shaunti Feldhahn, a social researcher and bestselling author, along with Dr. James Sells, a psychologist and professor, believe that laypeople in the church can help fill this gap by walking alongside those who are struggling. Their book draws on national research involving more than 2,000 church leaders and offers practical, research-based strategies for how the church can provide meaningful support in the midst of this mental health crisis.