Today we welcome to the mic Daniel Whitehead, CEO of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries. In Part 1 of our conversation with Daniel, we unpack what is happening—in the arena of wellbeing—in the lives of people who attend the churches we lead. We hope you enjoy this powerful episode!

How did the idea for Sanctuary Health Ministries come together?

• A willingness to be vulnerable.
• A willingness to fail – this right-sizes our ego.
• Continual discernment.
• A deep sense of team.
• An awareness of the immense need.

What is happening mentally/emotionally in the lives of people who attend the churches we lead?

• Christians are experiencing the same levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation as those who do not attend church.
• Post-pandemic rate of depression is 33%. Pre-pandemic rate was 11%.
• Christians tend to be one-dimensional in their approach to wellbeing: “If I take care of my spiritual life, that will take care of all other parts of my life.”