Pastoral/Elder Mental Health Resources
This page is dedicated to our pastors, elders, ministers, and their spouses. Here you will find resources such as blogs, podcasts, resources that will help you pay for counseling, and counselors that are licensed and can meet with you online. If you are not seeing what you need, email me at 2412podcast@gmail.com and I will work until I get you what you need. ​
Pastoral Care Line - (352) 728 8179
Suicide Prevention Hotline - 988
Emergency Number - 911
Resources
Read through each resource and find the right one that will help you. If you find the right one, click on the name and a new window will open and take you to the web address.
GuideStone is open to anyone to use, but it is specifically for the Southern Baptist Convention. Southern Baptist Pastors through the Cooperative Program can receive six free sessions of counseling and there are more resources available to help with your mental health as well.
After covid, the Christian church begin to set aside resources to be able to help their clergy with mental health such as a pension fund and additional resources. Here you can find a list of resources if you are apart of the Christian Church. Plus if you scroll to the bottom of the page, you find some book resources as well.
The Presbyterian main website is chalked full of mental health resources that very helpful. They pulled resources from the American Psychiatric Association Foundation and more. They fully back their ministers and want to ensure they have all the resources they need to ensure they are mentally equipped for ministry. Even if you aren't apart of the Presbyterian denomination, consider clicking on their website and looking at all the different resources they have listed.
There aren't many places that can combine the resources of blogs, podcast, and being able to help with counseling as well, but Dr. Matthew Stanford has done it. Going to their website you will find a plethora of resources to help you understand mental health and if you believe you need to talk to someone, they can help you as well.
From care of pastors, wives, and their children, Care for Pastors Ministries is an amazing ministry that truly cares for pastors. Their story aligns with most pastors and why they started this ministry and the desire to help. From having a help line, virtual or in-person counseling, and preventative care, Care for Pastors is a ministry that wants to truly care and help pastors who are in need.
Gravity Commons spent a lot of time putting together a list of resources for struggling pastors and can't be ignored. They tell you about podcasts, blogs, articles, books, and more. They don't hold back, that is what is great about their resource page. They reference burn out, suffering, dealing with trauma, and much more. Their list isn't exhaustive but it's impressive. Check out their list and you will find several items on their list.
Fresh Hope for Pastors is a wonderful resources that wants to help you and your wife to understand you are not on alone in ministry. From peer-to-peer groups whether in person or online, intensive trainings, retreats, coaching, and mental health resources, Fresh Hope does a great job of helping pastors find healing with one another.
This list of blog post with a long list resources specifically for pastor's wives is impressive. Daeyna does an amazing job of listing off blogs, books, articles, counseling centers and so much more. The only downside to the blog post are the ads on the page. There aren't many, just a few that can be annoying. The list of resources is too good not to share. I wanted to share this list here, because as a pastor's wife, I want you to know, you hold a special place in my heart. My story wasn't only about me, it also included my wife, and without her helping me every step of the way, I wouldn't be who I am today. But she was also hurt in the process and she didn't know where to turn to either. We want to make sure you are taken care of as well. Included on this list is some resources for the whole family as well, including kids.