Mental health struggles are part of being human

There has historically been stigma around mental issues in the Church but it’s time for a change of view

- Laura Edwards

‘We were young, fearless and in love when Darren and I met back in 2001. Deluded by our notions of invincibility, we decided to run away together.It wasn’t long before we realised life wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, becoming two vulnerable 15-yearolds trapped in a cruel cycle of drug and alcohol abuse.

By the time we were 19, we had two children, a council flat and the beginnings of a messy marriage.

Thankfully our story didn’t end there, as two years later I encountered God in a local Elim church. Encouraged by my testimony, Darren followed soon afterwards – and that’s when everything changed dramatically.

We left behind a life of living on the edge, filled with poverty, dysfunction and crime, and watched in amazement as God blessed our little family with employment, community, friends and a new hope-filled purpose.

In 2010, we moved to Malvern as Darren decided to study theology; the first person in his family to attend university.

During this t ime, we received some much-needed marriage counselling with psychologist and Christian leader, Sharon Johnson.