Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for ministry leaders in Sri Lanka

Christian ministry leaders in Sri Lanka face persistent challenges, with more than 1,100 incidents of violence, discrimination, and intimidation against churches and Christian workers documented since the end of the civil war in 2009. 

Pastors in high-persecution zones carry multiple burdens: harassment and systemic discrimination from authorities and extremist groups, emotional trauma from conflict, the aftermath of COVID-19, and the weight of an economic crisis that has left families with little to survive on. Added to this are the heavy pastoral demands of shepherding congregations under constant pressure, often resulting in depression, stress, and family breakdowns. 

Mental health remains a hidden struggle due to stigma and poor access to professional care, leaving pastors - who are themselves the first point of contact for distressed community members - without adequate support. 

The Religious Liberty Commission (RLC) of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka has long recorded and responded to persecution with medical care, legal aid, and financial assistance. Over time, the team recognised a critical gap: while physical and material needs were being met, the deep psychosocial needs and ongoing stress were not addressed. To meet that need, the RLC launched a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) programme, a holistic approach that integrates awareness, trauma care, self-care practices, and peer-based resilience networks while connecting individuals to professional counselling where needed. 

Since 2024, RLC has conducted trainings and follow-up programs across six high-persecution districts (Batticaloa, Ampara, Jaffna, Hambantota, Monaragala, and Matara). 100 ministry workers from over 70 churches and  one para-church group were trained, indirectly impacting ~5,000 individuals including ministry workers’ families and congregations. 

The outcomes have been overwhelmingly positive: 100% of participants reported increased awareness of mental health and improved coping strategies; stronger regional inter-church unity; ~80% of couples in Jaffna reported improved marriages; and all participants reported wide and successful adoption of practical tools such as self-care planners and relaxation practices. 

Participants describe the change in their own words. One ministry worker from the East said, “Sometimes I don’t know how to manage my mental health. Sometimes I can’t sleep. Sometimes I can’t manage my stress. But I learnt lots of useful tools through these lessons.” 

From southern Sri Lanka, a pastor added, “This program has been so helpful in allowing me to understand myself better and who I really am. The activities we did and the things we learned allowed me to reflect on myself and show me everything that makes me, me, in a very sensitive and subtle way. It was almost as though a mirror of my character was shown to me. I now know how important it is to heal myself from my worries before I listen and try to heal someone else.”

Another ministry worker reflected, “We had a lot of stress we were holding onto. We didn’t know what to do with it. But this program taught us how we can overcome it. When I listen to people’s experiences I’m surprised, and don’t feel alone anymore.” This feedback was a particularly significant sentiment - at the start of the training, pastors had ranked feeling isolated and alone as one of their biggest challenges. By the end, all participants reported feeling closer to one another and more supported within the group, reflecting a meaningful shift in how they experience connection and community. One ministry worker in the South noted, “As a member of two fellowships, I have always had the dream of coming together every now and then to catch up, enjoy each other’s company and check up on one another. This program has reignited that spark amongst us to stand together as one family and maintain good relationships with each other through our peer support meetings.” Peer group members highlight how the meetings build lasting friendships across churches and provide solutions and comfort during hard times. 

Building on this momentum, NCEASL plans to expand into other high-persecution districts and extend support to other faith leaders, families, and communities facing the pervasive pressures of persecution.