Grace
Editor's Note: The current new generation is facing unprecedented psychological challenges. How should the church, as a spiritual home, respond to these deep needs? This article explores the causes of the new generation's mental health problems, helping us understand the predicaments young people face, challenging us to care for them with the eyes of Christ, and providing shepherding guidance from the perspective of faith.
After obtaining a doctorate in psychology, Grace, the author of this article, pursued further studies at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, earning a Master's degree in Biblical Counseling. She is currently a licensed counselor in Pennsylvania. She has served for many years in the biblical counseling ministry of her home church in Pennsylvania. She actively participates in counseling and shepherding work in Chinese churches across various regions. Combining her professional background in biblical counseling and psychology, Grace hopes to offer a perspective from biblical counseling to help the church provide more holistic care and support in the shepherding process. We hope this article can spark reflection, helping the church reconsider how to shepherd the new generation with "heart sickness," and may the church continuously renew herself.
A was sexually abused by a relative in childhood and was later diagnosed with schizophrenia¹. Sometimes, she is violent toward other people. However, she has received long-term and comprehensive care from the church. She enjoys her fellowship and appreciates the pastor's guidance on matters of faith.
C is an outgoing leader of the young adult fellowship. He is caring and loyal but tends to be forgetful and has difficulty concentrating. He often feels targeted by others, leading to anger and conflicts with co-workers.
E is a high school youth at a church school. Due to domestic violence issues, his parents are contemplating divorce, division of property, and child custody. Every time the school or the church contacts his parents, E gets beaten after he returns home. He rarely talks at school and exhibits behavioral problems.
G grew up in the church and continued attending a church near his university. However, after sharing his struggles with gender dysphoria² with a co-worker, others did not know how to continue interacting with him. Gradually, G felt that everyone was talking behind his back. He even experienced panic attacks at church, fearing being attacked.
The young people in these examples may be among us. They could be believers, seekers, or those who waver between faith and doubt.---
Why Is There a Trend of Increasing "Heart Sickness" Among the New Generation?
According to a 2021 report by the World Health Organization, about 13% of adolescents aged 10-19 globally have mental health disorders. This represents an increase of over 12% compared to ten years ago. Among those aged 15-29, suicide ranks as the fourth leading cause of death.
Many often wonder: if our way of life today is much more convenient, given the ever-increasing material abundance and ever-advancing technology, so why aren't people happier? People often say, "Back in the day, our lives were much tougher! Compared to then, today's kids are pampered." Then, why are more of our younger generation experiencing "mental illness?"
With advancements in behavioral sciences, the classification of mental illnesses has become more precise. Today, the fifth edition of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-5) records nearly 300 disorders, whereas the second edition in 1968 listed almost 200. Disorders that were previously grouped together now have distinct labels and descriptions. As mental illnesses become more widely recognized and the number of professionals increases, the number of clinical diagnoses increases correspondingly.
Moreover, the younger generation has their unique stressors and risk factors. Adolescence and early adulthood are peak times for the onset of mental illnesses, which may result from the interaction between genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and individual-specific risk factors.
1. Genetic Predisposition
Many mental illnesses are influenced by genetic factors. Unhealthy behavioral patterns can also affect genetic variations in the next generation. No one's genetic makeup is perfect, but genetic factors do not entirely determine the onset of diseases.
2. Environmental Factors
It often takes environmental stimuli to trigger genetic influence on human behavior.
1) Starting from the prenatal environment: There are many potential teratogens (environmental pollution, harmful diets, drugs, and prolonged high stress can all affect fetal development).
2) Personally experienced or witnessed traumatic events—such as domestic violence, peer bullying, cyberbullying, and PUA [pick-up artist manipulation]—all cause wounds to the soul. Increased population mobility, the absence of one or both parents, loss of family or friends, and the challenges of adapting after relocation or immigration can also lead to traumatic stress. Additionally, media reports of natural disasters and human-made calamities worldwide can cast a shadow of fear over some young souls, even if these events may not happen in their physical vicinity.
3) Pressure from Social Competition: Unequal distribution of resources and social comparisons can create stress. The internet has significantly broadened the scope and increased the intensity of social competition. Even highly accomplished young people may suffer significant setbacks due to shortcomings in certain areas.
4) Tendency Toward Social Isolation: More people have realized that they can complete all necessary work and life duties without face-to-face interaction for days. The digital age makes it easier for young people to engage in less social interaction and less physical activity, which may lead to unhealthy lifestyles and even various addictive behaviors. Social separation may lead to heightened loneliness as young people miss social support and understanding.
5) Culturally Related Risk Factors: Social culture has deep structures that subtly shape people's thinking and behavior patterns. For example, Confucian ideals in traditional Chinese culture emphasize self-restraint and propriety, defining individuals through relationships with others, which can limit young people's exploration of personal growth. Chinese Legalist ideals emphasize the flaws of human nature and, therefore, the importance of external constraints. This is reflected in parental and teacher authority (including corporal punishment, public humiliation, strict control over time and activities, and pressure to marry). Meanwhile, modern Western cultural trends may exalt excessive individualism and introspection. They sometimes advocate for personal feelings as the ultimate criteria for self-identity, demanding that societal norms be reconstructed accordingly. These influences may make young people acutely aware of the tension between self-expression and societal pressure.
7. Individual Risk Factors
Individuals are not merely passive recipients and outcomes of genetic and environmental factors. For instance, the cultural element of "saving face" may affect people differently. Some people may avoid seeking medical help due to a desire to hide their illness or to avoid exposing family problems. This may lead to delays in treatment, worsening conditions, or complications. However, more and more people no longer view mental illness as a personal stain or family disgrace. Many public figures even openly share their struggles to help others.---
How Can We Shepherd the New Generation with Increasing "Heart Sickness"?
1. Viewing Them Holistically from God's Perspective
People with "heart sickness" may not always appear lovable on the surface. When facing stress, they might resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as avoidance, aggression, numbness, people-pleasing, or addiction, which can harm themselves and others. Young people are also easily labeled as "immature" or "abnormal," leading to them being marginalized, mocked, and isolated.
As parents, teachers, or pastors, when we sow seeds and water them, do we choose them based on our perspective? Are we worried that investing time in nurturing these young people might yield little result? If so, perhaps we need to adjust our perspective. We should not select whom to serve based on our human judgment but view them holistically from God's perspective.
First, be willing to invest time and energy to understand the specific suffering person before us. Jesus incarnated in a "specific" body to enter our world, seeing and hearing our struggles and pains. The Holy Spirit explicitly applies Jesus' salvation to our hearts, guiding us toward sanctification in our daily lives. Therefore, we should also have the heart of Christ, learning to enter their world and empathize with their specific suffering. Understand their particular diagnosis, symptoms, medical history, and medication situation. Obtain relevant knowledge of specific illnesses to understand how they may affect their body, mind, life, and work (for example, depression may manifest differently in different individuals).
Secondly, understand their struggles from the “heart.” Look beyond their prickly exterior to understand their deep inner motivations, desires, fears, and objects of worship. Encourage them to accept the gospel at the heart level and find rest, help, and renewal in Christ.
Furthermore, see not only suffering and sin in them but also the image of God and God's grace. If they already believe in Jesus, they are saints with the indwelling Holy Spirit, just like us. If they have not yet believed, we can still appreciate their unique talents and acknowledge God's grace in them.
2. Reflect and Remove the Beam from Our Own Eyes
Shepherding the new generation with increasing "heart sickness" might be our own form of suffering. In the face of such challenges, what are our fleshly reactions? Are we bound by negative emotions and behaviors such as avoidance, denial, catastrophizing and despair, hypersensitivity, defensive aggression, or bitterness?
Like Job's friends, do we think suffering is solely due to sin, thus neglecting the bigger picture of redemptive history? Have we forgotten that the real enemy in our battles is the Devil? Do we end up condemning and attacking without offering encouragement rooted in heavenly hope?
What is the foundation of our reliance? Is it reputation, achievements, relative comfort, or self-righteousness? Are our hearts at rest in Christ? Are we wearing the full armor of God and standing firm in the battle?
If we have authority in relationships with a power structure (such as parents, pastors, or leaders), do we sometimes misuse our authority out of our flesh? Do we intentionally or unintentionally ignore their needs, causing harm or retraumatization?
Do we genuinely love these young people with "heart sickness"? Lord, do we know that You love us? Are we "loving" them too much by excessively pleasing them and compromising on truth? Are they idolizing us, leading to unhealthy dependency on authority?
Are we living out Jesus' message, methods, and character to be His ambassadors? May the Lord teach us to trust and obey His promises and guidance so that we can find hope, grace, and strength in Christ amidst challenges.
3. Living Out the Church of Christ
When shepherding the new generation with increasing "heart sickness," our focus should not be limited to cultural shifts or the new characteristics of the flock, because God's will transcends culture. Our goal is to return to Jesus' objective: the unity of individual souls with Jesus and the unity of the church in Christ, which bears witness to Christ in the world in diversity and love (1 Corinthians 12-14).
Firstly, we ourselves must rest in the gospel and establish a Christ-centered church culture in grace. Sometimes, our examples can influence young people more than our words. Jesus has justified us by faith, making us children of God. His precious blood is sufficient to cover all our weaknesses and guilt. God’s power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Are we afraid to expose our weaknesses, differences, and struggles in the church? Are we afraid to let others know we need help? Are we persistent in prayer? Are we willing to learn, grow, and seek help from others instead of relying solely on ourselves?
When using God's Word, is our purpose to argue and win, or to pursue peace? Is it to condemn or to lovingly exhort? Is our attitude one of anger and anxiety, or one of gratitude and forgiveness? Are we conveying a church culture of grace to the young generation?
Secondly, guide young people to unite with Christ. Broaden their horizons and lead them to see beyond various stressors. Encourage them to witness the vastness of God’s creation, the unfolding of God’s promises in redemptive history, and the power of the Gospel of Jesus. Guide them to reflect on their various reactions and behavioral patterns, to see the wonder of God’s creation in us, to understand the impact of the Fall on our body, mind, spirit, and human society, and to recognize the deep motivations and battles within our hearts. Lead them to trust in Jesus’ great love, that He sacrificed Himself to be our friend, and that we can always seek help from God in prayer. Guide them to be confident in their identity in Christ, to put on the full armor of God in adversity and battle without fear.
Furthermore, respect differences and find unity in diversity. Respect their differences. Some physical and mental characteristics may take time to heal and grow, or they may remain lifelong characteristics (e.g. such as the insistence on routine processes in some of those with autism spectrum disorder). We do not need to excessively control or enforce uniformity. Instead, we can encourage and learn to respect each other’s needs and listen to each other’s appeals within the church community. As we humbly seek justice, mercy, and love sincerely in grace and truth, we may learn to appreciate and collaborate with one another.
Finally, build the church family of Christ in love, helping to replace and transform the risk factors young people face while providing stable, long-term support for them. For example, the young person with schizophrenia mentioned at the beginning of this article found long-term, comprehensive care in the church. Not only did the church refer her to a reliable psychiatrist and a biblical counseling organization, but the fellowship also became her second family. This year, she has grown significantly in her understanding of the gospel and trust in Christ and has already started attending baptism classes.
Conclusion
Before God, we are all afflicted. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He approached and touched to heal all kinds of sick people, including those who seemed hopeless.
May we all see the great physician Jesus, receive grace, and be healed. May we also become the church of Jesus, embodying His Heavenly Kingdom message, methods, and character. May more young people of the new generation be united to Christ, be rooted and built up in Him, and find a home and grow in His church.
Footnotes:
¹ Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness with complex causes. Patients experience issues with thinking, perception, emotions, and behavior, potentially exhibiting delusions, hallucinations, disordered thoughts and speech, and an inability to correctly judge external stimuli, thus affecting daily life functions.
² Gender dysphoria refers to the distress and discomfort a person feels due to a mismatch between their gender identity and the physical sex characteristics they were born with.