In our country, the undeniable truth is that a mental health crisis is profoundly affecting youth and families. What if there was a more robust connection between youth ministry leaders and mental health professionals? Could this create a supportive environment for young people and those caring for them?

Today, we welcome Reverend Amanda Rigby, the pastor of Christian Education and Formation at Edenton Street United Methodist Church, and Dr. Elizabeth Watters, a licensed marriage and family therapist. Together, they co-founded The Well Mental and Spiritual Care.

They introduce a groundbreaking model that emphasizes collaboration between a youth ministry leader and a licensed family therapist.

Through their personal experiences, the guests candidly discuss their own seasons of burnout and the strategies they employed (and are still employing) to navigate these challenging seasons. 

The conversation extends beyond their individual journeys, addressing the broader societal context of the mental health crisis affecting youth and families. Amanda and Elizabeth stress the importance of collaboration between mental health professionals and youth leaders to establish a supportive environment. They advocate for open conversations, the sharing of personal experiences, and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in faith settings. Additionally, they underscore the need for safe spaces, proper training, and dedicated budgets for mental health support.

You’ll hear Amanda reference another episode she recorded with us in this conversation. Stay tuned to hear more from Amanda on an episode releasing in just a few weeks along with a panel of youth and campus ministry leaders. 

We hope this conversation sparks further dialogue and action, encouraging us all to contribute to a more supportive and compassionate environment for the well-being of our young people and those who guide them.

In each episode, we ask our guests to highlight an organization that is doing work. Amanda and Elizabeth point us to The Trevor Project, an international organization whose mission is to end suicide among LGBTQ young people through advocacy, education, and crisis support.

Cited Resources from this Episode:

• The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann

• ARC Framework

More Listener Resources:

• If you are a Christian leader or pastor seeking a space for support, growth, and transformation for yourself or for your team, we invite you to participate in one of our cohort programs, called a Circle. To learn more and to get on the waitlist to be notified when our next Circle is offered, click here.

• NEW: Get our latest free resource, Disillusionment with Ministry: 4 ways to renew your purpose in the midst of disappointment. 

• Download the free Clergy Burnout Report