Wellness Wednesdays - Simple Ways to Begin Educating your Church Members about Mental Health

Simple Starting Points for Educating Your Congregation

January 22, 2020

A Beginning Place

Please join us in a morning devotional, using the PCUSA on-line lectionary , and Prayer for the Day. May grace, mercy, and peace be with you. Amen (Let it be so).

Going a Little Deeper

My goal is to work with you in BEING THE CHURCH when it comes to Mental Health and Mental Illness. Part of my ministry this year is as your mental health “Coach/Facilitator” with the presbytery. You can email us about conducting Celebrations of Mental Health in your congregation and/or we can come lead an introductory event with your church.

Susan Lee, LCSW

Comfort My People

Coach / Consultant

Chris Lieberman, Relationship Coordination Director

myCMPcoach@gmail.com

A simple place to start — Bring it into worship

Have a 3-5 minute “Moment for Mental Health” in worship (perhaps each month).
Always in a manner that protects confidentiality, pray for those living with mental illness and their families in the pastoral prayer on a regular basis.
In preaching, look for opportunities to discover how the scripture speaks to the lives of those living with mental illness and those who care for them.

Or — Use the church newsletter

Include articles each month to promote the mental health ministry and provide education on some form of mental illness or aspect of recovery.
Articles from the ministry team and reflections on mental illness from the pastor on the front-page article can help raise awareness and dispel stigma.

Some Mental Health Information Material :

One in five Americans has experienced some form of mental illness. Our aim to destigmatize this condition by encouraging open conversations as well as implementing effective methods for treatment.
More than 65% of people with a mental illness still lead a normal, productive life.
People with a mental health issue are generally nonviolent. In fact, only 3-5% of violent acts can be attributed to people with a serious mental illness.
Many factors can lead to mental illness, including genetics, physical illness or injury, and traumatic life experiences. (The rate of mental health disorders doubles for those who have been to war or lived through a major disaster).
Treatment for mental health problems doesn’t only consist of prescribed or OTC medication. Therapy, church activities, yoga, meditation and holistic treatments can all help to assuage symptoms.

Thank you for helping break the silence for people seeking mental health in our communities.

Don’t forget to end your day with the evening verse from today’s lectionary.

Best wishes

Susan Lee, LCSW,

Your Comfort My People Coach

Email MyCMPCoach@gmail.com

Facilitator of Presbytery of St. Augustine's

Comfort My People: Mental Health in Healthy Congregations

Comfort My People Webpage

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