Monty Hale, director of the pastoral ministries office of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, says it “continues to be a shock” to him when a pastor commits suicide, even though he knows pastors are as prone to depression as anyone else.
“Our culture won’t let us talk about depression,” he said, “particularly when it comes to pastors seeking help, and pastors are afraid they’ll be fired if they admit to depression.”
Hale said churches can do a lot to help bring the subject of pastoral depression out of the shadows. Churches shouldn’t put the pastor on a pedestal, he said. Instead, they should recognize the “enormous” pressure pastors face and “be supportive and open and encouraging” if a pastor needs to seek professional help. “The pressures pastors face today are much different from 20 years ago,” he said.
Hale also advised church leaders to schedule regular times for members to express appreciation to the pastor – and “not just once a year” on pastor appreciation day.
Hale also has plain and direct advice for pastors battling depression: “If you’re sick, go to the doctor. Mental illness should be treated the same as any other illness.”