Mental Health Ministry

A Healthy Church in Action offering radical hospitality to individuals with mental illness and their families.

Reflect upon this

"Our reaction to those who have dropped exhausted on the road of life is the ultimate test of our personal understanding of God's grace." Malcolm Smith.

A. The Basics

1. Appropriate Language in Discussing Mental Illness

2. Books and links for Churches, Families, Siblings, Parents, and parents with a mental illness. by John M. Crowe

3. Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissism, Bipolar, and Schizophrenia by John M. Crowe

4. Various Books on Boundaries by John M. Crowe

5. Coping with a loved one's depression

6. Differentiating schizophrenia from demon influence

7. Disability Facts and Mental Illness by John M. Crowe

8. Interdenominational and Interfaith Mental Health Ministries and Resources. by John M. Crowe

9. John Wesley and Psychology

As a significant figure in Christian history, John Wesley has import for modern Christian psychology in at least four ways: (1) his contention that the findings of science could be used by Christians for the glory of God and the alleviation of human suffering; (2) his personal example of how difficult it is to put faith into practice in daily living; (3) his teachings about the grace of God and the possibility of Christian perfection; and (4) his concern for social justice and the welfare of the poor. This essay discusses these issues and demonstrates how a study of Wesley can influence modern Christian psychology.

10. Luther and Depression by Tony Headley

This article is about someone who has been there, done that, and has the t-shirt. The Protestant Reformation Leader and writer of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”, Martin Luther felt free to share his own struggles with mental illness, i.e. depression. Research of Luther's sermons, teaching material for young pastors display a very compassionate person of pastoral care with insightful and detailed observations, and a proclamation of real grace for real life. Both his compassion for Christians with mental illnesses and his keen observation of them were way ahead of his time.

11. Mental Health, Churches, and Other Faith Communities by John M. Crowe

12. Ministry, Mental Illness, and Communities of Faith

Religious communities are in a unique position to combat stigma and provide a message of acceptance and hope

13. Ministry needed for those impacted by mental illness. by John M. Crowe

14. Model examples of churches offering radical hospitality to individuals with mental illness and their families.

15. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and Faith Based Ministries. by John M. Crowe

16. NAMI FaithNet

This is a network composed of members and friends of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). It was established for the purposes of

(1) facilitating the development within the Faith Community of a non-threatening supportive environment for those with serious mental illness and their families, (2) pointing out the value of one’s spirituality in the recovery process from mental illness and the need for spiritual strength for those who are caretakers, (3) educating clergy and congregations concerning the biologic basis and characteristics of mental illness, and (4) encouraging advocacy of the Faith Community to bring about hope and help for all who are affected by mental illness.

17. Helpful links for focusing worship on Mental Illness in May, July, October, and December. by John M. Crowe

18. Resources for Children of All Ages of Parents with a Mental Illness by John M. Crowe

19. Spirituality. by John M. Crowe

20. Wesley and Depression by Tony Headley

This article is about a person whom the denominational family tree of Methodists and holiness churches view as the herald of sanctification--holiness of heart and life. For century after century the idea prevailed among Christians that filthiness was akin to holiness. This only helped the spread of diseases like the "Black Plague." On one occasion Mr. Wesley said "Cleanliness is next to godliness." His concern for personal hygiene rose out of his understanding of sanctification, his view of pastoral care, and his concern for people's mental and physical health.

Wesley was as concerned for the health of people’s bodies and minds as he was for their souls. He read medicine with the same avidity he showed for theology. He also found health education lacking and supplied it. Early in his ministry Wesley established a visitation program for the sick and dispensed medicine to the poor in London and Bristol. Also, he advocated for better health care.

21. What faith based communities are doing in Mental Health Ministries. by John M. Crowe

1. 1 in 4 Households in Your Church is Afraid to Tell You This Secret by Carlene Hill Byron - first published by Vision New England's Ministries with the Disabled, Acton, Massachusetts

2. Church’s Ministry to returning veterans and their families. by John M. Crowe

3. Churches offering Radical Hospitality for Individuals with Mental Illness and Their Families. by John M. Crowe

NAMI-NC Annual Conference on March 9, 2007 Presentation--John M. Crowe

Building upon one of Jesus' parables in Matthew, this workshop will focus on the practical aspects of churches offering radical hospitality for individuals with mental illness and their families. We heard about 4 churches for helpful models. Participants received and used a copy of “How to Rate Your Faith Community”. Various steps about getting started as well as additional resources were covered also. A useful handout was given to participants.

Several free and helpful gifts to give to strengthen the clergy's ministry in equipping the congregation to offering radical hospitality to individuals with mental illness and their families. These are great gift ideas for October which has both mental health week and is clergy appreciation month.

From his personal experience of advocating for persons with mental illness and their families within his denomination, our presenter shared how individuals can advocate within their own faith community.

4. F aith Group Statements on Mental Illness

5. Helpful links for focusing worship on Mental Illness in May, July, October, and December.

6. How to Rate Your Faith Community

(Adapted from criteria established by the Presbyterian Serious Mental Illness Network)

7. Ministry with a mental health consumer and family. by John M. Crowe

8. Stephen Ministry Responds to Serious Mental Illness.

9. Suggestions for a clergy mental health packet. by John M. Crowe

10. The Church’s Ministry to Families of the Mentally Ill. by John M. Crowe

11. "The Overlooked and the Forgotten” by John M. Crowe

In The Message Bible, Matthew 25:40 & 45 Peterson paraphrases “the least of these— to the “overlooked and ignored” Who are the overlooked of our day? Who are the ignored of our day? The mentally ill and their families.

12. The stigma churches sometimes have to bear, overcome, and why. by John M. Crowe

C. What individual members can do to advocate within their own faith based communities.

1. Church Based Advocacy by John M. Crowe

In 2002, a mental health consumer’s husband becomes an advocate in his church after graduating from a Family-to-Family Course.

2. Fighting the Stigma of Mental Illness by John M. Crowe

a) A Resolution on the Church's ministry to the mentally ill and their families. June 2002 by John M. Crowe

b) Mental Illness Awareness Resolution June 2004 by John M. Crowe

c) Resolution for a Conference Coordinator of Mental Health Ministries June 2004 by John M. Crowe

d) Motion for A Task Force on Churches and Mental Health . June 2005 by John M. Crowe

e) A Call to the Laity and Clergy about N.C. Mental Health Reform June 2007 by John M. Crowe

D. Mental Health and Clergy

1. A collaboration for clergy health and wellness The physical and mental health of Clergy in North America has reached a crisis point.

2. Disabilities and Clergy by John M. Crowe

Mental Illness is the leading cause of clergy going on disability.

3. Mental Health Needs of Clergy by John M. Crowe

4. “The Face of Depression” by Rev. Susan Gregg-Schroeder

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