Bridging the Gap Between Mental Health and Religion in the Black Church
No shame. No silence. No more suffering.
Where faith meets mental wellness in the Black Church.
A groundbreaking resource for churches and communities ready to address mental health without compromising faith.
For far too long, mental health has been whispered about in church hallways but rarely addressed from the pulpit. No Shame! changes that conversation.
Drawing from decades of experience as both a licensed mental health professional and an ordained Baptist minister, Rev. Dr. Mekeshia D. Bates bridges Scripture and science to help churches become places of healing instead of hiding. This book offers a compassionate, biblically grounded, and culturally responsive approach to understanding mental health in Black church communities.
No Shame! helps readers:
Written in accessible language and supported by scripture, this book equips pastors, leaders, and congregants with the tools they need to build churches where spiritual health and emotional wellness walk hand in hand.
No Shame! was written for:
Put Faith Into Action
The No Shame! Companion Workbook turns insight into impact. This 90+ page interactive workbook provides guided exercises, reflection questions, and practical action steps designed to help individuals and churches apply what they learn in meaningful ways.
The workbook is organized to support three key audiences:
For Church Members
Personal reflection exercises to explore mental wellness within a faith-centered context
For Pastors & Church Leaders
Tools to help implement mental health–informed ministry, including planning guides, sermon support, and pastoral care strategies
For Mental Health Professionals
Frameworks for culturally responsive, faith-informed clinical care
Each section includes space for journaling, biblical reflection, and practical application—making it ideal for personal use, small groups, or church-wide wellness initiatives.
The workbook also includes a comprehensive Resource Guide with:
No Shame! is more than a book—it’s a movement toward healing, wholeness, and freedom in faith communities.
Rev. Dr. Mekeshia D. Bates is available for:
Rev. Dr. Mekeshia D. Bates, DNP, MDiv, MPH, MSN, PMHNP-BC is an ordained Baptist minister, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, public health professional, and the founder of Gift of Dreams Wellness & Consulting, LLC.
With decades of experience in ministry and mental health, Dr. Bates is passionate about equipping churches to address emotional and psychological wellness with compassion, cultural awareness, and biblical integrity. She is a nationally respected speaker, trainer, and advocate for faith-centered mental health.
Join a growing movement of believers committed to faith-centered mental wellness.
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