Episode 41: Inviting Anxious Teens into the Better Story (Liz Edrington)

Mental health struggles are increasingly common, and yet it remains difficult to know how to minister to students who are living with anxiety and/or depression. How can youth workers think biblically and theologically about mental health diagnoses and respond with wisdom and grace?  Liz Edrington has served at North Shore Fellowship in Chattanooga, TN in full-time ministry for 8 years and is an adjunct professor at Covenant College. She’s a regular contributor to the Rooted Ministry and is the author of Anxiety: Finding the Better Story.  Discussion Includes:  What’s important for youth workers who have never struggled with their mental health to know about mental health?  A basic framework for thinking biblically and theologically about mental health diagnoses.  Why do you think anxiety and depression is so common, and how do you encourage youth workers to care for these students?  You recently published a 30 Day Devotional for teenagers about anxiety and finding a better story. What do you mean by “finding the better story” and could you share a little about the book?  How do you speak gospel hope to students who are struggling with depression?  Order Liz’s book, Anxiety: Finding The Better Story (a 31 day devotional for teenagers) Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers! Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.