Dollar General Sued by EEOC for Disability Discrimination

PRESS RELEASE | 9-24-14
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Diabetic Employee Fired for 'Grazing' to Stave Off Hypoglycemic Episode, Federal Agency Charges

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A diabetic sales associate suffering from a hypoglycemic episode while on duty at a Maryville, Tenn., Dollar General was fired for consuming orange juice, which she paid for as soon as the medical emergency had passed, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleged in a lawsuit it announced today.

According to the EEOC's suit, the employee, who has insulin-dependent diabetes, was working the cash register at Dollar General when she started to experience symptoms of a hypoglycemic episode. Customers were in line, so the former employee grabbed an orange juice from Dollar General's cooler and consumed it to stabilize her blood sugar. She paid for the orange juice after the customers left. The former employee told her supervisor on several occasions that she had diabetes, and she requested that the store allow her to keep her own juice near the cash register, but the store denied those requests. Dollar General fired the employee for violating its grazing policy, which prohibits employees from consuming merchandise before payment.

Such alleged conduct violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. Dollar General, Civil Action No. 3:14-cv-00441) in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Knoxville Division, after first attempting to reach a voluntary pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process. The EEOC is seeking injunctive relief prohibiting Dollar General from discriminating against employees with disabilities, as well as lost wages, compensatory and punitive damages, and other affirmative relief for the former employee.

"This employee took a life-saving precaution by drinking the orange juice," said EEOC District Director Katharine Kores. "She should not be fired for having diabetes or tending to her health concerns - especially in such an emergency situation. Businesses need to use some judgment and restraint when faced with such an episode.  The EEOC will continue to fight for discrimination victims such as this lady."

According to company information, Dollar General is the nation's largest small-box discount retailer. It is a convenience store offering major brands with many of their products costing a dollar or less. The company with corporate headquarters in Goodlettsville, Tenn., operates 11,000 stores nationwide.

The Memphis District Office of the EEOC oversees Tennessee, Arkansas and parts of Mississippi. The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. 

Further information about the EEOC is available on the website at www.eeoc.gov.

http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/9-24-14.cfm

Tourette Syndrome Gala Event 'Movement of Imperfection!' Fundraiser - Elmhurst, IL. Nov 22nd

as shared by...

When & Where:
Wilder Mansion

211 Prospect Avenue Elmhurst, IL

Sat Nov 22, 2014 7PM - Sat Nov 22, 2014 11PM CST

SARAH GRACE BORN WITH DOWN SYNDROME STARS IN BROTHER'S ANTI-BULLYING RAP VIDEO

Set to Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors," the video shows Sarah Grace's peers treating her differently because of her Down syndrome, while her 11-year-old brother "MattyB" raps about acceptance. By the end of the video, the other girls have taken the song's lesson to heart.

YouTube Published on Sep 2, 2014 by MattyBRaps Channel 

Thanks for watching the brand new cover of one of MattyB's all time favorites #TrueColors! This has been one of the special projects that MattyB has had the privilege to work on so far and he hopes you enjoy it as much as he enjoyed creating it. 

We live in a world where differences are all around us. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in these differences, especially when we see them in the people that surround us everyday. MattyB believes that everyone deserves the same thing: love. It's not always popular to love someone and embrace their differences, especially when others make fun of them. But being a leader means standing up for what you believe in and choosing to do the right thing... even when it's not always popular. 

OFFICIAL MATTYB LINKS

• MattyB Gear Store http://MattyB.Spreadshirt.com
• Main Channel http://www.MattyBRaps.com
• Vlog Channel http://www.YouTube.com/MattyBVlogs

Special Thanks to Olivia Kay for helping out with this project! 

written & performed by:

• • Cyndi Lauper

• Category

  • Music

• License

  • Standard YouTube License

How to Talk to Kids and Teens About Mental Illness

Do it the right way, and you'll help dispel misconceptions and stigma

By Kirstin Fawcett | U.S. News | Sept 23, 2014

Ask a group of 13-year-olds if they know what cancer is, and they’ll most likely provide you with a resounding “yes.” Ask them to explain bipolar disorder, however, and you’ll probably receive a jumbled answer – or a puzzled stare. 

Around 42.5 million American adults suffer from some mental illness each year, according to data compiled by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. But despite the prevalence of conditions such as depression, bipolar and schizophrenia, many children and teenagers know little about these real – and treatable – diseases. 

It’s important to correctly educate children and teenagers about mental illness, health professionals say. It helps dispel misconceptions and stigma, and it provides them with the understanding and resources they need if they – or someone they know – struggles with a psychiatric disorder. 

Curious how to tackle the topic with your own kids? Here are some tips:

Know Your Facts 

To successfully teach a kid or teenager about mental illness, you first have to teach yourself, says Judy Davis, author of “Those People,” a book inspired by the years she spent as a chaplain in a psychiatric ward, helping families and patients deal with mental illness. 

Don’t know the symptoms of depression? Find a book written by an authoritative mental health professional and learn them. Stymied by the difference between schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia? Speak with a physician who can explain the distinction. “You can't just make a blanket statement and say that [all mental illnesses] are the same and they should all be treated the same. They differ a lot, and [diseases like] schizophrenia and depression are pretty far apart,” Davis says. “Parents should read up on them so they'll understand what they're talking about.” 

It’s also important for parents to understand that they don't need to have all the answers right away. “It's OK to say [to your child], ‘I'm not sure, but I can try to figure it out,” says Cathryn Galanter, director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program at SUNY Downstate/Kings County Hospital Center. 

Dispel Common Myths

Most kids cobble together a working knowledge of mental health topics through bits and pieces gleaned from their peers, parents and the media, says Kenya Sesay​ of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a nationwide grassroots nonprofit that provides treatment, support and advocacy for the mentally ill. However, Sesay says, this body of information is often inaccurate. 

Kids “know more about the stereotypes [for mental illness] than what it actually is,” says Sesay, who serves as the youth program director of NAMI’s Montgomery County, Maryland, chapter. “They don't really know the symptoms. They don't really know what the person goes through.”

There are many misconceptions about mental illness: that all people with mental illness are violent; that psychiatric diseases are moral or character flaws; and that those who have them can’t live normal lives. In reality, the majority are nonviolent, and coping methods ranging from medication and therapy to exercise can help individuals stay healthy and productive. The main point that Sesay and NAMI try to make to kids? Mental illness “has nothing to do with you. It doesn't make you any less of a person.” 

Find a Teaching Opportunity 

“It can be helpful to bring [mental illness] up in context – for example, if your child knows that someone is having difficulties with their mood or behavior and has questions about it,” Galanter says. “As mental illness becomes less stigmatized, we are also hearing more about people in the news with mental illness. This can be a good opportunity to start a discussion. As with any more serious discussion, choosing a time when you and your child can focus is helpful, such as over a meal, in a long car ride or during a quiet time at home.” 

But you don’t necessarily need to use a news peg or a media moment as an excuse to raise the subject, Sesay says. A discussion about mental illness, she emphasizes, is “a conversation that anyone can have. It shouldn’t be like a ‘birds and the bees’ type of talk.” 

Tailor Your Language to Different Age Groups 

“When speaking to your child or adolescent about mental illness, it's important to keep in mind their age and developmental level,” Galanter says. “For preschool children, keep it simple. With this age, you may only need to have these discussions if someone they know is affected. School-aged children may have more questions. With this age, it's helpful to be clear, simple and direct, and to follow their lead in terms of how much information you give them.” 

With teenagers, Sesay says, you can be more specific – especially because their age group faces a high risk of depression and suicide. Teaching them the names and traits of various illnesses gives them the knowledge and coping skills they need if they, or someone they know, experiences a psychiatric disorder firsthand. That way, they can seek support from a teacher, a parent or a counselor. 

Tell Them They Have a Safety Net 

Since mental illness is fairly common – with as many as 61 percent of people experiencing a well-specified psychiatric disorder by age 21​, according to Galanter – children may first learn about it through personal experience. In this case, they’re usually advised to confide in a trusted adult. But a fear of stigma often keeps them from coming forward. “A lot of the time, [kids] believe if they have a mental illness, nobody should know,” Sesay says. “They think people will look at them differently.” 

Let them know that’s not the case. Mental illnesses are “like other medical illnesses. It's not your fault,” Galanter stresses. “They are diagnosable and treatable. Help is available.”

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2014/09/23/how-to-talk-to-kids-and-teens-about-mental-illness

Depression Isn't Just 'All In Your Head'

article by Lindsay Holmes | HuffPost | Sept 24, 2014

Depression touches people differently, making dealing with the condition more of a personal experience than a universal one. Some describe the illness as a dark cloud, while others liken it to being trapped in an empty space.

Regardless of how it personally feels, what many people don't know is that the illness can also take a physical toll on the body. Those symptoms, combined with the emotional side effects, have the potential to be draining.

Infographic by Alissa Scheller for The Huffington Post.

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

Headaches. These pains can be one of the hallmark physical signs of depression, particularly in adolescents, says John F. Greden, M.D., executive director of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Depression Center. While most people report that their depression headaches are dull, sometimes the illness can cause tension headaches, Everyday Health reported. Depression can also put people at greater risk for developing migraines.

Indigestion. People with depression may experience stomach problems as well, Greden says. Additionally, digestive issues such as colitis or stomach ulcers may be worsened by extreme stress or depression, Everyday Health reported.

Lack of energy. "So many people with varying types of depressions complain of fatigue, making it one of the more common symptoms," Greden explains. Studies have also shown that depression can lead to decreased motivation and poor job performance. Without being diagnosed with the depression, many people tend to think this lack of energy is a result of other physical illnesses, like hypoglycemia or other thyroid issues, Greden adds.

Appetite and weight changes. Depression has the potential to significantly alter eating habits. This could mean eating too much or too little, and as a result, weight gain or weight loss.

Joint and muscle pain. "Depression makes pains that people have worse and it may even be associated with the onset of certain pains," Greden says. "There's an intensification of joint and muscle pains." Research suggests that there is even a strong association betweenfibromyalgia and depression.

Sleep loss. A change in sleep patterns is one of the most common warning signs of depression ("there's this certain restlessness that occurs," Greden says). Depression also has been linked to insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea.

Nausea. As part of the stomach problems caused by depression, people may experience queasiness and nausea, as well as diarrhea, which is also a resulting symptom of anxiety.

EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS

Anxiety. Even though they're different disorders, depression and anxiety can commonly occur together, according to the Mayo Clinic. This has the potential to yield other physical symptoms like a racing heartbeat, sweaty palms and even panic attacks, Greden says.

Brooding and obsessive rumination. "The worst part of depression is that it narrows the field of vision into a very small tube so they can't see the options," Adam Kaplin, M.D., an associate professor in the departments of psychiatry and neurology at Johns Hopkins University, previously told HuffPost Healthy Living. This includes obsessive focus on the bad and ignoring the good. Research has shown that relentless focus on the negative and moody reflection over what has gone wrong may have a strong link to depression.

Excess worry over physical health. With everything going on in the body, it's easy to dismiss depression as an option when everything feels so physically painful. "It's difficult to go to work, to concentrate, to laugh or focus on your assignments when you're hurting in this way," Greden says.

Tearfulness. The illness can result in tearfulness and feelings of sadness during a depressive episode. While many people associate depression with this specific emotion, it's important to note that depression and sadness are not the same thing. "Depression is a clinical term -- and a lot of times when people say they're depressed, they really mean sad. The words that we use are very powerful and it's important to make that distinction," David Kaplan, Ph.D., chief professional officer of the American Counseling Association, previously told HuffPost Healthy Living.

COMBINATION OF SYMPTOMS

"If people have a lot of physical symptoms, and they have associated mood changes, the clinician ought to be considering that they're linked to underlying depression," Greden says. The simultaneous occurrence of the two types of symptoms can have a life-altering effect, from feelings of anger and guilt to dangerous thoughts about suicide. It's important to pay attention to the prevalence of both the physical and the emotional signs in order to address those potential hazards, Greden adds.

"Unfortunately, in health care, we tend to split the mind and body sometimes," he says. "So if someone complains of their physical symptoms ... that's what clinicians tend to target. So, that preponderance of physical symptoms for people who also have the mood symptoms sometimes tends to overwhelm the underlying cause. But [the symptoms] go together. They hold hands. They're all part of the same syndrome."

Have a story about depression that you'd like to share? Email strongertogether@huffingtonpost.com, or give us a call at (860) 348-3376, and you can record your story in your own words. Please be sure to include your name and phone number.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/24/depression-symptoms_n_5868190.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living

Artist Paul Smith, born with Severe Cerebral Palsy Created Mind-Blowing Drawings Using Just A Typewriter

You don't have to be able to hold a pencil or a paintbrush to be a brilliant artist

The Huffington Post | By Alena Hall | Sept 23, 2014

And Paul Smith, a man born with severe spastic cerebral palsy, proves just that. He couldn't dress, feed or bathe himself, but he discovered a way to express his passion for art through rather unconventional means: the typewriter located in his childhood bedroom. He taught himself how to use 10 symbol keys at the top as his tools for creating hundreds of portraits and landscapes that are nothing shy of incredible.

Last year, 22-time Emmy award-winning reporter John Stofflet posted this news video he created for KING-TV in 2004, featuring Smith and his artistic talents.

"Paul's movements are severely limited, his determination, endless," Stofflet says in the video.

Smith moved to the Rose Haven Nursing Center in Oregon in 1967 and spent the following 40 years there creating his masterpieces, reported TechTimes.com. He died in 2007 at the age of 85, but his work remains posted in the hallways of his old home with the people he considered his family for the latter half of his life.

Watch the video below to see Smith's incredible typewriter creations.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/23/paul-smith-typewriter-artist_n_5864730.html

Steve Terpak is Headed for World Disabled Golf Championship, swinging back at adversity

Steve Terpak, working on his putting at Berkshire Hills Country Club on Monday, is heading to Japan this weekend as a member of the United States team in the World Disabled Championship. (Richard Lord / Berkshire Eagle Staff)

article by Richard Lord | The Berkshire Eagle | Sept 23, 2014

Overcome adversity and prevail.

Pittsfield's Steve Terpak preaches "OAP" to those -- especially his two children and other young people -- who will listen.

"Everyone gets knocked down at some point in their life -- what defines you is how you get up," Terpak said.

What knocked Terpak down was a horrific accident -- a mini-van versus his motorcycle -- in 2005.

He was comatose at times. There were skull fractures. Two bed-ridden years. Multiple surgeries.

Eventually, it meant the amputation of his left leg, from the knee down.

But Terpak got back up.

On Saturday, the 55-year-old golfer leaves for Japan as a member of the four-man United States team that will compete in the World Disabled Championship that tees off next Wednesday, just five years after playing in his initial amputee event on Cape Cod.

"I played in my first [disabled] tournament the day after I got my [prosthetic leg]," said Terpak. "I fell down on my first swing."

But, as he did during his recovery and has ever since, Terpak lived up to "OAP" by getting up and revamping a swing that had made him good enough to play on some pro mini-tours before the accident.

"I don't have a natural swing now," said Terpak, who says he still hits it about 250 yards off the tee (down from about 270 before the accident). "I can't transfer my weight to the front. I play a different kind of game. It's about hitting it straight and accuracy. It took me some time to learn what would work."

It didn't take all that long -- Terpak, who plays to a 5 handicap, has been the Eastern Amputee Golf Association player of the year twice in the last four years.

The Berkshire Hills Country Club member finished second this year in the Eastern Regional and National Amputee Golf Association championships, leading to his receiving the invitation from the national association to take part in the first official World Disabled Championship next week.

------

Getting to this point has been a remarkable comeback story.

Terpak was on his motorcycle on Merrill Road headed toward Allendale in Pittsfield in 2005, when a minivan heading in the opposite direction wandered into the wrong lane and met Terpak head-on, with both traveling at about 40 mph.

"The police said the driver claimed the sun got in her eyes," said Terpak, who has no recollection of the incident, but said there were witnesses. "I flew into the windshield and it deflected me over the roof and I tumbled. A good friend of mine was there. My face was a mess and he couldn't recognize me, but he knew it was me because he recognized the motorcycle. He stayed with me until help arrived."

Among the injuries, according to Terpak, were 11 skull fractures, left shoulder and right hip injuries and serious injuries to both legs.

"I was taken to BMC where they stabilized me," Terpak said. "Then I was taken to UMass [Medical Center in] Worcester. I was out [in a coma] for months. I had 15 surgeries and was there for about a year."

Terpak was then moved back to Pittsfield, spending the next six months in a rehabilitation center before going home where a hospital room was set up and where he was visited by nurses on a daily basis.

Several avenues were pursued in an effort to save his left leg, but in 2009 it was amputated and eventually he received his prosthetic leg.

The surgeries included two right knee replacements.

"Everyone thinks my left leg is the problem, but the right knee is really the bad leg," Terpak said.

He also lost a piece of his skull and suffered brain damage.

"I have some short-term and long-term memory loss," Terpak said. "I have no memory of the six months before the accident."

------

Needless to say, there were some difficult times. Terpak said his children, ages 4 and 5 at the time, played a huge role in his determination to recover and start anew.

"After seeing the dark side of life, I have found a new balance. I spend as much time as I can with my kids" -- daughter Kaitlin, 13, and son Patrick, 14 -- "and spend time working on my passion, which is my golf game. And, I had to find new ways to earn income."

Terpak points to Skyline Country Club head professional Jim Mitus for turning his head in the right direction.

"When I first became ambulatory, Jim told me to come up to Skyline and that I had a job behind the counter," Terpak said. "That was the best thing that could ever have happened to me. It made me feel like I was part of life again."

"He was a little down and it gave him something to do," Mitus said. "Golf is what he loved and I needed help at the time."

Being at Skyline reintroduced him to the club's members, and to the golf community at large.

"It's a close group at Skyline. They all supported me and I want to know everyone to know how grateful I am to all of them," said Terpak, pointing to Jack Bartow, Dick Rivers and Chip Wilson as among the many who provided support.

"Without my friends, I don't think I would have made it. The golf community in Berkshire County is a tight-knit group and they all had my back. If I had lived in a big city like Boston or New York, I don't think that would have happened."

Terpak's background in sports now has him working three jobs. He teaches golf at Berkshire Community College, is the head coach for the Taconic High School co-op hockey team (Taconic, St. Joseph, and Pittsfield students), and the golf coach at MCLA.

"After that accident, most people would have folded up their tent," said Pete Terpak, Steve's cousin and the golf coach at Wahconah Regional High School. "But he had the fortitude to fight back. He has a positive personality all the time. He's poured himself into youth sports."

Steve Terpak hopes his story of perseverance resonates with the young people he is working with.

"After where I have been and what I have been through, I want to serve as a role model," he said. "I try to use my past as a teaching tool for my students."

Terpak was an outstanding hockey player at Lenox High School, playing on a Western Mass. championship team, before skating at Nichols College and also playing some in Europe.

"I love it," he said of coaching hockey. "We've been a little under .500 the past few years, but we're looking forward to an excellent season. We have some great players, and I think for the next two or three years, we should be contenders."

In his second year at MCLA, Terpak says the program is in a rebuilding mode. He's having to use a couple of very inexperienced players just to round out the roster, but hopes he can lure some top county high school players into the program going forward. Still, despite the current struggles, there are apparently lessons being learned.

"I'll give the kids credit -- they don't quit."

Overcome adversity and prevail.

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/sports/ci_26593844/headed-world-disabled-golf-championship-steve-terpak-swings

'National MS Society' Dinner of Champions Honors Patricia Woertz, Chairman and CEO of Archer Daniels Midland Company

as shared by National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Illinois Chapter

Patricia A. Woertz

Chicago, Sept. 23, 2014 — Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Patricia A. Woertz is being honored at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Illinois Chapter’s 2014 Dinner of Champions today at the Four Seasons Chicago, 120 East Delaware Place, starting at 6 p.m.

Dinner of Champions, now in its 35th year, is the Society’s highest honor and pays tribute to the vast network of generous corporations, organizations and volunteers who are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people living with MS. The evening will encompass a reception, dinner and informative programming honoring Woertz and ADM. More than 400 people will be in attendance at this year's gala, which is expected to raise over $600,000 to support research, programs and services for the 20,000 families in Illinois affected by MS.

Woertz joined ADM as CEO and president in April 2006 and was named chairman of the board in February 2007. Since joining ADM, Woertz has driven efforts to improve shareholder returns and has led the company to record financial results while growing the business through acquisitions, capital investments and partnerships.

MS Dinner of Champions was created in 1979 by Frank Gifford and Howard Cosell as an annual fundraising gala to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Illinois Chapter. Past honorees include Madison Dearborn Partners Chairman John Canning Jr.; Northern Trust Chairman Rick Waddell; McDonald’s Chief Executive Officer Jim Skinner; former McDonald’s Chairman and CEO James Cantalupo; Northern Trust Chairman and CEO William A. Osborn; former Sears Roebuck & Co. Chairman and CEO Arthur A. Martinez; and athletes including Mike Singletary, Ernie Banks, Stan Mikita, Gale Sayers, Norm Van Lier, Billy Williams and Mike Ditka.

For more information about this year’s event, visit www.DinnerofChampionsChicago.org or call Jill Robisch at 312.423.1174.

Multiple Sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease that interrupts the flow of information in the central nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve. The Greater Illinois Chapter mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of more than 20,000 individuals in Illinois and 2.3 million worldwide affected by MS.

For more information, visit MSillinois.org.

###

The Topic of Mental illness remains a taboo topic for Pastors

article by Bob Smietana | Baptist Press News | Sept 22, 2014

NASHVILLE (BP) -- One in four Americans has suffered from some kind of mental illness. Many look to their church for spiritual guidance in times of distress. But a new LifeWay study shows they are unlikely to find much help on Sunday mornings.

Most Protestant senior pastors (66 percent) seldom speak to their congregation about mental illness.

That includes nearly half (49 percent) who rarely (39 percent) or never (10 percent), speak about mental illness. About 1 in 6 pastors (16 percent) speak about mental illness once a year. And about a quarter of pastors (22 percent) are reluctant to help those who suffer from acute mental illness because it takes too much time.

Those are among the findings of a recent study of faith and mental illness by Nashville-based LifeWay Research. The study, co-sponsored by Focus on the Family, was designed to help churches better assist those affected by mental illness.

Researchers looked at three groups for the study.

They surveyed 1,000 senior Protestant pastors about how their churches approach mental illness. Researchers then surveyed 355 Protestant Americans diagnosed with an acute mental illness -- either moderate or severe depression, bipolar, or schizophrenia. Among them were 200 church-goers.

A third survey polled 207 Protestant family members of people with acute mental illness. Researchers also conducted in-depth interviews with 15 experts on spirituality and mental illness.

The study found pastors and churches want to help those who experience mental illness. But those good intentions don't always lead to action.

"Our research found people who suffer from mental illness often turn to pastors for help," Ed Stetzer, executive director of LifeWay Research, said. "But pastors need more guidance and preparation for dealing with mental health crises. They often don't have a plan to help individuals or families affected by mental illness, and miss opportunities to be the church."

A summary of findings includes a number of what researchers call "key disconnects" including:

-- Only a quarter of churches (27 percent) have a plan to assist families affected by mental illness according to pastors. And only 21 percent of family members are aware of a plan in their church.

-- Few churches (14 percent) have a counselor skilled in mental illness on staff, or train leaders how to recognize mental illness (13 percent) according to pastors.

-- Two-thirds of pastors (68 percent) say their church maintains a list of local mental health resources for church members. But few families (28 percent) are aware those resources exist.

-- Family members (65 percent) and those with mental illness (59 percent) want their church to talk openly about mental illness, so the topic will not be a taboo. But 66 percent of pastors speak to their church once a year or less on the subject.

That silence can leave people feeling ashamed about mental illness, said Jared Pingleton, director of counseling services at Focus on the Family. Those with mental illness can feel left out, as if the church doesn't care. Or worse, they can feel mental illness is a sign of spiritual failure.

"We can talk about diabetes and Aunt Mable's lumbago in church -- those are seen as medical conditions," he said. "But mental illness -- that's somehow seen as a lack of faith."

Most pastors say they know people who have been diagnosed with mental illness. Nearly 6 in 10 (59 percent) have counseled people who were later diagnosed.

And pastors themselves aren't immune from mental illness. About a quarter of pastors (23 percent), say they've experienced some kind of mental illness, while 12 percent say they received a diagnosis for a mental health condition.

But those pastors are often reluctant to share their struggles, said Chuck Hannaford, a clinical psychologist and president of HeartLife Professional Soul-Care in Germantown, Tenn. He was one of the experts interviewed for the project.

Hannaford counsels pastors in his practice and said many -- if they have a mental illness like depression or anxiety -- won't share that information with the congregation.

He doesn't think pastors should share all the details of their diagnosis. But they could acknowledge they struggle with mental illness.

"You know it's a shame that we can't be more open about it," he told researchers. "But what I'm talking about is just an openness from the pulpit that people struggle with these issues and it's not an easy answer."

Michael Lyles, an Atlanta-based psychiatrist, says more than half his patients come from an evangelical Christian background. He found that most of them were hesitant to share their diagnosis at church.

"The vast majority of them have not told anybody in their church what they were going through, including their pastors, including small group leaders, everybody," Lyles said.

Stetzer said what appears to be missing in most church responses is "an open forum for discussion and intervention that could help remove the stigma associated with mental illness."

"Churches talk openly about cancer, diabetes, heart attacks and other health conditions -- they should do the same for mental illness, in order to reduce the sense of stigma," Stetzer said.

Researchers asked those with mental illness about their experience in church.

-- A few (10 percent) say they've changed churches because of how a particular church responded to their mental illness. Another 13 percent either stopped attending church (8 percent) or could not find a church (5 percent). More than a third (37 percent) answered, "don't know," when asked how their church's reaction to their illness affected them.

-- Among regular churchgoers with mental illness, about half (52 percent) say they have stayed at the same church. Fifteen percent changed churches, while 8 percent stopped going to church, and 26 percent said, "Don't know."

-- More than half (53 percent) say their church has been supportive. About 13 percent say their church was not supportive. A third (33 percent) answered, "don't know" when asked if their church was supportive.

LifeWay Research also asked open-ended questions about how mental illness has affected people's faith. Those without support from the church said they struggled.

-- "My faith has gone to pot and I have so little trust in others," one respondent told researchers.

-- "I have no help from anyone," another respondent said.

But others found support when they told their church about their mental illness.

--"Several people at my church (including my pastor) have confided that they too suffer from mental illness," one respondent said.

-- "Reminding me that God will get me through and to take my meds," another said.

Mental illness, like other chronic conditions, can feel overwhelming at times, Pingleton said. Patients can feel as if their diagnosis defines their life. But that's not how the Bible sees those with mental illness, he said.

Pingleton pointed out that many biblical characters suffered from emotional struggles. And some, were they alive today, would likely be diagnosed with mental illness.

"The Bible is filled with people who struggled with suicide, or were majorly depressed or bi-polar, he said. "David was totally bi-polar. Elijah probably was as well. They are not remembered for those things. They are remembered for their faith."

LifeWay Research's study was featured in a two-day radio broadcast from Focus on the Family on September 18 and 19. The study, along with a guide for pastors on how to assist those with mental illness and other downloadable resources, will be posted at Family.org.

LifeWay Research also looked at how churches view the use of medication to treat mental illness, about mental and spiritual formation, among other topics. Those findings will be released later this fall.

Methodology: LifeWay Research conducted 1,000 telephone surveys of Protestant pastors May 7-31, 2014. Responses were weighted to reflect the size and geographic distribution of Protestant churches. The sample provides 95 percent confidence that the sampling error does not exceed plus 3.1 percent. Margins of error are higher in sub-groups.

LifeWay Research conducted 355 online surveys July 4-24, 2014 among Protestant adults who suffer from moderate depression, severe depression, bipolar, or schizophrenia. The completed sample includes 200 who have attended worship services at a Christian church once a month or more as an adult.

LifeWay Research conducted 207 online surveys July 4-20, 2014 among Protestant adults who attend religious services at a Christian church on religious holidays or more often and have immediate family members in their household suffering from moderate depression, severe depression, bipolar, or schizophrenia.

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