Contact: Audra Jennings, The B&B Media Group, 800-927-0517 ext 104, ajennings@tbbmedia.com

DALLAS, Dec. 9 /Christian Newswire/ -- Statistically, one in four adults in America will suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder this year--conditions ranging from depression to schizophrenia. In his new book, Grace for the Afflicted: A Clinical and Biblical Perspective on Mental Illness, author Dr. Matthew Stanford presents both the scientific evidence and the biblical truths that should shape the Christian view of mental illness.

As both a church leader and a professor of psychology and neuroscience, Dr. Stanford has seen far too many mentally ill brothers and sisters damaged by well-meaning believers who respond to them out of fear or misinformation rather than out of grace. "Mental health research and practice have made significant strides in relieving the mental and physical suffering of those afflicted with mental illness," he states. "Yet there continues to be a high level of suspicion, distrust, and even fear in the church when it comes to psychology and psychiatry. The simple fact is that Christians develop mental illness at the same rates seen in the general population, and the tendency to equate the condition with demonic possession, weak faith, and generational sin has been inadequate to deal with the problem."

Grace for the Afflicted takes on several hot topics including the role of psychology and psychiatry in the life of the believer, the use of prescription drug treatments, and the root causes of common mental disorders. Describing each disorder, Dr. Stanford asks, "What does science say and what does the Bible say about this illness?" Mental illnesses addressed in the book include: depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, eating disorders and substance abuse.

As evidenced by the book's logical and user-friendly format, it was created as a resource for pastors and those in the church who really want to understand and help those suffering from mental illness. Dr. Stanford presents the clinical facts with the clarity one would expect from a man of his training, but readers may be surprised by the obvious tenderness and compassion he expresses for the mentally ill individuals he works with every day--many of whose stories are included in the book. "These are wounded people with damaged lives--precious children of God whom we have been called to love and whose burdens we have been called to carry," he states.

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