Mental Health 101: Mental Health Ministry Pathways to Promise A National Mental Health Ministry Resource Developing the capacity of congregations to support recovery and wellness

Five Areas of Concern Children’s mental health Trauma Serious mental illness Substance use Issues of aging

Our Life Journey

Signs of Brain-related Suffering Extraordinary changes in mood Unusual sensations Irrational or nonsensical thoughts and ideas Bizarre behavior Impaired intellectual abilities Withdrawal, loneliness, isolation

Companionship A one to one ministry of presence A relationship responsive to suffering A relationship supportive of recovery and wellness A public relationship

Five Practices of Companionship Hospitality Neighboring Sharing the journey side by side Listening Accompaniment

The Whole Person PSYCHOLOGICAL a BIOLOGICAL SOCIAL approach SPIRITUAL

Community Care Providers Pastoral Counselors Chaplains Therapists, Chemical Dependency Counselors and Psychologists Nurses and Psychiatrists Peer Specialists Social Workers Primary Care Providers School Systems Youth and Family Services Community Mental Health Centers, Clinics Hospitals and ERs Social Service Agencies Housing Groups

The Healing Process The Healthy Self The Illness Self

Treatment healthy self illness self

Wholeness healthy self Illness self

An Understanding of Spirituality The core of a person An aspect or dimension of our life Our relationship to the whole - to all, to creation, to God, to the infinite and ultimate Canda and Furman 1999

Spiritual Care Tasks Assisting a person to assess their suffering Exploring possible explanations for suffering Introducing appropriate spiritual and mental health care resources Opening the door to the support of the congregation and wider community

Key Spiritual Care Questions What are the scriptural, spiritual, theological resources you use to respond faithfully to behavioral health issues? How do we restore relationship, covenant, connection?

Caring Congregations Call for aid in an emergency or crisis Refer for appropriate care and treatment Organize an ongoing Mental Health Ministry Do education; build commitment to recovery and wellness; welcome individuals and families facing mental health issues; provide spiritual support and practical service; advocate for effective community mental health care

PASTORAL SUPPORT

A LOCAL CONGREGATION MENTAL HEALTH TEAM

Organizing a Mental Health Ministry Team A children’s mental health guide A guide experienced with trauma, PTSD A guide knowledgeable about mental illness A guide familiar with drug and alcohol recovery A guide who understands the mental health issues of seniors

The Role of a Guide

A Mental Health Ministry Toolkit A guidebook for mental health ministry is available from Pathways to Promise Monthly mental health ministry activities Suggestions for doing education, building a commitment to recovery and wellness, ways to welcome individuals and families, models of support and service, and becoming advocates

“When I was a Stranger” “You made a place for me. You treated me as a human being. You sat beside me. You listened. You shared the journey.”

Companionship Care Teams A group of several companions Companioning one or more individuals Accountable to the Congregational Mental Health Team or other leadership Meeting regularly for prayer, study, sharing and spiritual discernment Providing each other mutual support

Clergy Support Groups Clergy interested in developing mental health ministry in their congregations are invited to form a neighborhood level support group

Neighborhood Clusters Mental Health Teams from neighboring congregations are encouraged to learn and serve together Congregations in a neighborhood or community are encouraged to share in supporting a local mental health ministry coordinator Congregations are invited to celebrate their mental ministry together with the community each year.

An Invitation View the other two presentations in this series: Organizing a Mental Health Team, and Companionship Share these presentations with colleagues and laity Collaborate with neighboring congregations to develop mental health ministry and companionship teams in your community

May All Have a Home Rest Safely, And Be Well