reaching out to faith communities part ii opening the door to understanding & dialogue about...
TRANSCRIPT
Reaching out to Faith Communities
Part IIOpening the Door
To Understanding & Dialogue about Mental Illness
NAMI Beginnings
Faith Communities Provide a Home and Hope
Illness Raises Spiritual Questions and Concerns
• Where is God in this?• Why do bad things happen to good
people?• How can my faith help me heal?• What now? Is there meaning and purpose
for my life? Where do I belong?
Social Isolation
Illness and Recovery
• Spiritual estrangement can also be part of the illness experience
• Spiritual support can play a significant role in the recovery process¹
Responding to IllnessWhen Ellyn had cancer,
she received:
• Visits in the hospital• Notes and cards• Meals that were made for
her family• Prayers • Support for her treatment• A ‘welcome back’
When Ellyn had mental illness, she received:
• Visits in the hospital• Notes and cards• Meals that were made for
her family• Prayers • Support for her treatment• A ‘welcome back’
Spiritual Connection
Basic Care-giving:
• Learn to recognize and accept.• Assist in finding the help needed.• Support treatment and recovery.
• Attend to the person’s basic needs.
Spiritual Support
• Create a safe place • Offer the gift of presence• Listen and share the journey• Hold them in thought and prayer
Providing Care to the Family
Reach out – be a friend.Learn about the unique impact on each one.Create a supportive network or group.Learn what is helpful and hurtful to do or say.Provide community resource referrals.
Giving Support
Other Family Ministry Ideas
• Create a respite care team• Send cards or meals to a family member• Offer to mow the lawn or trim the bushes for
a military wife• Offer to baby sit for a working mother• Invite the family to sit with you at church
services and events
Preparing for Dialogue
Create a Lead-in Statement• When introducing yourself: “I’m a volunteer for
NAMI, a local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Have you heard of it?”
• “Did you know that one in four adults experiences a mental illness during their lifetime, but that stigma and misinformation are still major barriers to treatment?”
• “Our family has been touched by mental illness, but we found help and hope through NAMI’s education and support programs. May I tell you about it?”
Encouraging the Conversation
• How can NAMI help this faith community open its doors to individuals and families who face mental illness?
• How can this faith community increase its capacity to support healing and recovery?
• What resources are available to develop a mental health ministry or support effort?
Faith and Mental Illness• NAMI has members from many different
faith backgrounds• NAMI welcomes individuals and families
from all walks of life and spiritual traditions• A person’s faith can be an important part of
their healing and recovery• I can say a word or two about my experience
with mental illness and spirituality
Opportunities for Awareness Events
• May - Mental Health Month• July – Minority Mental Health Month• September - Recovery Month• First week of October - Mental Illness
Awareness Week
IDEAS FOR OBSERVING AWARENESS MONTHS
• Write an article• Compose a poem or prayer to be used in a
service• Schedule a mental health speaker• Form a team for a local NAMI WALK• Create a bulletin board
Become a Stigma Buster
Advocacy Opportunities
Resource Notebook
• Local NAMI Affiliate Brochure• NAMI FaithNet Brochure• Brief Referral List• Fact Sheet or Illness Brochure(s)• Multi-Faith Mental Health Ministry Links
A Sample Contact Report
• Faith Group: (name, address, phone, e-mail/website)
• Conversation Partner(s): (name, address, phone, e-mail)
• Interests Observed: (specific topics, suggested ways to follow-up)
• Follow up: (documents sent, e-mail, calls, plans, visits)
No one wants to listen?
Connect Clergy
• Encourage faith leaders to talk with other clergy
• Invite clergy and congregational leaders to participate in a NAMI event or WALK
• Sponsor a Clergy Luncheon• Speak to a Ministerial Association
Who Wants to Speak Up?
Questions or Comments?
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