***Says Mental Health Is Not a Sign of Weak Faith but a Call for Compassion and Action
The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel C. Okoh, has urged churches across the country to take the lead in ending the stigma surrounding mental health, declaring that faith communities must become places of refuge, compassion, and healing for those battling emotional and psychological distress.
Speaking at the National Mental Health Summit held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, on Friday, October 10, 2025, in commemoration of World Mental Health Day, Archbishop Okoh said the summit’s theme “Faith and Mental Health: Break the Silence” was both “a call to awareness and a call to action.”
“For too long, discussions about mental health have remained in the shadows of stigma, ignorance, and fear,” Okoh said. “Many suffer quietly, even within our churches struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, or emotional exhaustion. They are often misunderstood or judged instead of being supported and guided toward healing. The Church must be a place of refuge, not rejection.”
The CAN President stressed that mental illness should never be mistaken for weak faith or spiritual failure, but should be recognized as a legitimate health condition that demands empathy, care, and professional treatment. Quoting Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ,” Okoh said Christian leaders must demonstrate faith through compassion and practical support for those in distress.
He called on the Church to lead by example in restoring dignity to people living with mental health conditions through education, training, and open dialogue. “Pastors and church workers should be equipped to recognize signs of distress, provide counseling, and refer individuals to professional care when needed,” he stated. “Our sermons must emphasize wholeness body, soul, and spirit because true healing is holistic.”
Archbishop Okoh also urged churches to establish ministries that integrate psychological support with spiritual guidance, and to use their pulpits to dismantle stigma, adding that seeking help should be seen as “an act of courage and faith, not weakness.”
Beyond the Church, he called on government agencies to strengthen mental health policies, increase budgetary allocations, and ensure that services are available in primary healthcare centres nationwide. He also urged schools, workplaces, and the media to promote awareness and portray mental health issues with compassion and responsibility.
Describing the summit as “the beginning of a movement,” the CAN President said it symbolizes a shared national commitment among the Church, government, and citizens to ensure that every Nigerian lives with dignity, peace of mind, and a sense of belonging.
“This summit is more than a meeting — it is the start of a movement where the Church, the government, and the people join hands to build a society that listens, supports, and restores hope to the brokenhearted,” he declared.
Archbishop Okoh concluded by commending the organizers and partners of the summit, expressing hope that the discussions would inspire tangible actions that transform lives.
“May the insights we share today lead to steps that bring healing to our people and our nation,” he said.
