Church & Mental Health with Laura Howe

What does it look like for the Church to become a true place of hope, healing, and care when it comes to mental health? In this week's conversation, Dan Allender and Rachael Clinton Chen are joined by Laura Howe, a clinical social worker and founder of Hope Made Strong and the Church Mental Health Summit, a free online event coming up on October 10, 2025.

Laura shares her journey into bridging faith and mental health—born out of frustration and a longing to see the Church rise to its calling as a safe, caring community. Together, they explore the unique role the Church can play in mental health support: not as a replacement for clinical care, but as a vital presence of peer support, belonging, and discipleship that helps people feel seen and held.

This episode touches on:

• How churches can move beyond programs to cultivate a culture of care
  
  

• The power of peer support as the "missing piece" in mental health conversations
  
  

• The theological and cultural obstacles that keep communities from engaging suffering honestly
  
  

• The very real challenges of compassion fatigue and burnout for leaders—and practices for resilience

Whether you're a pastor, ministry leader, caregiver, or someone longing to see your church embody greater compassion, this conversation offers both hope and practical wisdom for building communities where people can truly experience the canopy of care we all need.