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A Supplement to Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General

Can churches help? Centuries of systemic racism and everyday discrimination in the U.S. have left a major mental health burden on African American communities, and the past few years have dealt especially heavy blows.

How the church can help people with mental illness by Tricia Brown

One in four families sitting in the pews has a member dealing with mental illness. Yet our religious communities are often silent when it comes to understanding mental disorders as treatable illnesses.

My usual practice is to use the sermon to tell some of my own story as a person living with a mental illness and to give a hopeful message to the congregants. I have learned that such self-disclosure can help make it safe for others to acknowledge mental illness of their own or in their families.

The following resources can help faith communities promote mental health and wellness, as well as reduce the risk of suicide among their members and in their greater communities. The Faith Communities Task Force encourages you to become familiar with these resources and use them in any way possible.

Craft of Preaching: Theology and Interpretation. Working with texts and placing them within a theological framework.

Faith and spirituality may play a major role in coping with cancer, blood disorders and other serious illnesses. Chaplains are trained to help patients and families of all beliefs.

We evaluated associations between religious service attendance and suicide from 1996 through June 2010 in a large, long-term prospective cohort, the Nurses’ Health Study, in an analysis that included 89,708 women. Religious service attendance was self-reported in 1992 and 1996. Data analysis was conducted from 1996 through 2010.

A short video with Dr. George Williams, that discusses Schizophrenia Awareness

of Toolkits and Content Suggestions for Faith and Cultural Leaders, Faith and Family Friendly Media, and Entertainment Creators. Encouraging Conversations about Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

Flyers, Bulletin inserts, Posters, and other Graphical Art about the Faith.Hope.Life. campaign to use in churches, mosques, and synagogues.

These general descriptions arose during the course of the discussions with mental health experts and are shared because they are likely significant to the specifics described about the interaction of these illnesses and faith.

The 2009 NAMI Annual Convention in San Diego provided workshops on faith and mental illness hosted by the FaithNet Advisory Council to share innovative ideas and projects underway in the grassroots communities.

Places of worship can be havens for people with mental health issues

Highlighted here is the story of how a minister constructed a sermon series on mental illness based on his own struggles around mental health.

As Miss International 2015 and a national ambassador for NAMI, I have spent the last year with a specific focus on breaking the stigma associated with mental health.

A short video with Dr. George Williams, that discusses self-care

However, we don’t know what we don’t know. After my breakdown, I began to understand more about depression.

When a debilitating substance habit consumes someone’s life, they often look to a higher power to help give them the strength to get better. Although it’s not for everyone, a spiritually-inclined treatment process helps thousands of addicts each year find the motivation necessary for recovery.

Let us pray to the Father of Mercies: Father, we pray for the unity and mission of the holy Church of God; that it may welcome and serve those who live with a mental illness. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Mental illness networks and faith leaders are urged to work together so that they may recognize and prepare for this day in a way that works best for each faith community.

Common Prayer for Those Affected by Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

Regardless of the nature of their mental illness, people should feel welcomed and valued in their parish.