Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
HIDDEN: Mental Illness Hides Out in the Church — Second Edition
Originally written to bring attention to the often-unspoken realities of mental illness within faith communities, HIDDEN: Mental Illness Hides Out in the Church returns in an expanded and updated Second Edition, released in 2026. This timely resource continues the conversation about the people who worship, serve, lead, pray, and praise while quietly navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, addiction, and other mental health challenges behind the scenes.
Grounded in faith and informed by mental health principles, Dr. Allashia Smith-Harris challenges the Church to move beyond silence, stigma, and misconceptions toward greater understanding, compassion, and meaningful support. The Second Edition reflects an evolving conversation about mental health in the Church and reinforces an important truth: faith and mental health care do not have to compete. Prayer, Scripture, community, counseling, and appropriate professional support can work together as part of a person’s journey toward healing and wholeness.
More than simply identifying what has remained hidden, this updated edition calls pastors, ministry leaders, families, and congregations to consider how the Church can become a safer place for people to acknowledge their struggles, seek help, and experience genuine support without shame.
HIDDEN: Second Edition is a call to break the silence, embrace compassion, reduce stigma, and build churches where people do not have to hide their pain in order to belong.
The 21st-century resource the Black Church has not been looking for, but so desperately needs.
Because mental illness is real. Faith is powerful. Help is available. And no one should have to suffer in silence—even in the Church.
HIDDEN: Mental Illness Hides Out in the Church — Second Edition
Originally written to bring attention to the often-unspoken realities of mental illness within faith communities, HIDDEN: Mental Illness Hides Out in the Church returns in an expanded and updated Second Edition, released in 2026. This timely resource continues the conversation about the people who worship, serve, lead, pray, and praise while quietly navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, addiction, and other mental health challenges behind the scenes.
Grounded in faith and informed by mental health principles, Dr. Allashia Smith-Harris challenges the Church to move beyond silence, stigma, and misconceptions toward greater understanding, compassion, and meaningful support. The Second Edition reflects an evolving conversation about mental health in the Church and reinforces an important truth: faith and mental health care do not have to compete. Prayer, Scripture, community, counseling, and appropriate professional support can work together as part of a person’s journey toward healing and wholeness.
More than simply identifying what has remained hidden, this updated edition calls pastors, ministry leaders, families, and congregations to consider how the Church can become a safer place for people to acknowledge their struggles, seek help, and experience genuine support without shame.
HIDDEN: Second Edition is a call to break the silence, embrace compassion, reduce stigma, and build churches where people do not have to hide their pain in order to belong.
The 21st-century resource the Black Church has not been looking for, but so desperately needs.
Because mental illness is real. Faith is powerful. Help is available. And no one should have to suffer in silence—even in the Church.