Mental Health 101 Mental Health Ministry Pathways to

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