Caring for the needs of others and ourselves takes many forms in the communities we build as congregations. In our expressions of ministry, we encourage you to consider how your communities are aware of the impacts of mental and brain health and wellness in the lives of people in our bible studies, worship services, and wider communities. Mental and brain health are important dimensions of overall human wellness. For our faith to flourish, it is important to understand the impact and supports that are available to care for one another. We implore you to check out the resources below about how faith and mental health can and should be in conversation with one another.
The first two resources (“Mental Health Tool Guide for Faith Leaders” and “For Faith Leaders: Helpful Resources”) are from the American Psychiatric Association.
This 26 page booklet is divided into 2 sections. Part one “Mental Health Overview” includes the following:
- What Is Mental Illness?
- Common Mental Illnesses
- Suicide
- Diagnosis
- Mental Health Treatment
- The Connection Between Mental and Physical Conditions
- Recovery, Wellness, and Building Resilience
Part two “Faith Leader Support for People With Mental Illness” includes the following:
- How Congregations Can Be More Inclusive/Welcoming
- When to Make a Referral to a Mental Health Professional
- How to Make a Referral for Mental Health Treatment
- Dealing With Resistance to Accepting Mental Health Treatment
- Distinguishing Religious or Spiritual Problems From Mental Illness
- Approaching a Person With an Urgent Mental Health Concern
This is a one page downloadable PDF list (including links) to a variety of Mental Health resources that would be valuable to Faith Leaders.
This resource is from the Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. It is a 44 page guide covering the following principles of mental health care as it relates to faith:
- The Inherent Dignity Principle
- The Illness Principle
- The Caregiver Principle
- The Professional Assistance Principle
- The Treatment and Medication Principle
- The Complexities Principle
- The Hope Principle
This resource is from Partners in Health and Wholeness. It provides advocacy resources including:
- Mental Health Inclusion Plan
- Sacred Series Toolkit: Becoming a Trauma-Informed Faith Community
- Partners in Health and Wholeness Mental Health Survey
- Mental Health and Race
- Mental Health Month resources
