Corps Mission is grateful to Kevin and Michelle Elsasser and Comox Valley Community Church for sharing this resource for wider ministry use.

Conversations around mental health are increasingly important in our corps, ministries, and communities. Anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion, and mental distress affect people of every age and background, including many within our churches.

As Corps Mission continues to highlight practical ministry resources for local settings, we are grateful to share the Anxiety and Depression Series, developed through the ministry partnership of Kevin and Michelle Elsasser at Comox Valley Community Church.

This resource was created to help leaders, volunteers, pastoral teams, and participants better understand anxiety and depression through practical learning, supportive conversation, and faith-based encouragement.

Understanding Anxiety

One of the helpful insights from the course is the reminder that everyone experiences anxiety.

If a person encounters a grizzly bear, the body naturally responds with fear and alertness. A teddy bear, however, does not create the same response. The challenge with anxiety often comes when the brain begins responding to situations as though they are dangerous “grizzly bears” when in reality they are “teddy bears.”

The series explores how anxiety works, how depression can affect individuals in different ways, and how people can begin identifying healthy coping strategies and supportive responses.

What Is Included?

The course includes practical teaching, discussion support, and devotional material that can be used in a variety of ministry settings.

• Four teaching videos
• Facilitator guides
• Participant workbooks
• Optional devotional resources

Whether used in a small group, leadership setting, pastoral conversation, or personal reflection, the material is intended to create space for understanding, grace, and hope.

Supporting Corps and Ministry Leaders

One of the strengths of this resource is its accessibility. No formal counselling certification is required to begin engaging with the material. Instead, it encourages ministry leaders and participants to approach mental health conversations with wisdom, sensitivity, and awareness of when professional support may be needed.

The resource is educational and supportive in nature and is intended to complement, not replace, professional mental health care.