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news
New SAMHSA app will help people who have serious mental illness to develop a crisis plan
Wed, October 14, 2020
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a new mobile app, My Mental Health Crisis Pl...
The Lutheran Foundation and FWPD programs work together to reduce drug impact in Fort Wayne
Fri, March 27, 2020
The partnership with The Lutheran Foundation is focused on addressing the opioid crisis that is negatively impacting Fort Wa...
HART program gives hope for opioid recovery
Fri, March 27, 2020
The Lutheran Foundation rolls out the Hope and Recovery Team (HART) Program
topics
Alcohol Addiction
This article includes an overview of alcohol addiction including symptoms, health concerns, and treatment options.
Vaping
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RX Drugs
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Marijuana
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Schools and Mental Health
3 people in the average classroom will experience a mental health problem. We spoke to teachers about the importance of talking about mental health at school. As Lucy says, it's not about having all the answers, but about having a culture of listening and caring for one another. While you don’t need to make yourself available for every student, you can contribute towards reducing the stigma around mental health by creating the right environment to facilitate important conversations
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Videos Articles Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences: Building Self-Healing Communities There’s no such th...
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
Videos Articles 9 Constructive Fidgets That Promote Focus Setting Students With ADHD Up for Success...
Brain-Aligned Strategies
VideosArticlesGood kind of challengeThe Pathway to Resilience: My Rights My Responsibilities Strategy12 Ways to Use "Inside ...
Bullying Prevention
VideosArticlesBullying Prevention: Students Share Dos and Don’tsShort Term and Long Term Effects of BullyingControlling the ...
Educational Neuroscience
VideosArticlesNine Things Educators Need to Know About the BrainThe Neuroscience Behind Stress & Learning20 Principles of Ed...
Resiliency
VideosArticlesHow Kids Learn ResilienceBuilding Resilience in Children – 20 Practical, Powerful Strategies (Backed by Scienc...
School Health Assessment & Performance Evaluation System (SHAPE)
VideosArticleSchool Health Assessment and Performance Evaluation System (SHAPE): About USStudent & Learning Supports: Moving...
School Safety & Crisis Response
VideoArticlesMental Health as Part of a Comprehensive School Safety FrameworkSchool Shootings and Other Traumatic Events: Ho...
Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
VideoArticlesHow to Integrate Social Emotional Learning Into Common CoreCASEL Presents Q&A With Rob JagersHow To Get Student...
Suicide Awareness and Prevention in Schools
VideoArticlesSuicide Prevention Can Start in School5 Ways K-12 Schools Can Support Youth Suicide PreventionWhy Aren’t School...
Teaching Students About Their Brains
VideoArticlesHow to Teach Students About Their BrainsEngaging Brains: How to Enhance Learning by Teaching Kids About Neuropl...
Trauma, Stress, and Learning
VideoArticleHow Trauma is Changing Children’s BrainsThe Brain Science Behind Student Trauma...
resources
Mental Health Toolkit
May is mental health awareness month. Download this Mental Health Toolkit as a resource for your church this month.
Mental Health Toolkit 2021
May is mental health awareness month. Download this Mental Health Toolkit as a resource for your church this month.
Parent Guides
Talk to your teens about drugs and alcohol Download our parent guides for ideas on how to talk to your teen about drug...
The Church and Mental Health Workshop Audio Presentations
5 audio presentations provide information and resources for congregations and church workers to help families navigate mental health issues.
Seven Ways to Implement a Mental Health Ministry Plan in Your Church
In this article, Dr. Stephen Grcevich explains seven practical ways churches can begin to implement mental health ministry initiatives which can help break down the stigma of mental illness in congregations and lead to help, hope, and healing.
Mental Health and the Church: Seeking the Whole Story
This article, written by Casey Pruet from Mental Health Grace Alliance, covers three important questions regarding the current state of mental health in our country: 1) What story do current statistics on mental health tell us? 2) How has COVID-19 affected our mental health? 3) Where does the Church come into the story? Click here to learn more about the unique opportunity the Church has to walk alongside people through not just spiritual struggles, but also mental and emotional struggles.
5 Ways To Actually Create A Healing Space For Mental Health In The Church
At the heart of the Church lies the commission to share one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), care for the interests of others (Philippians 2:4), encourage the disheartened and gently help restore those who are weak (1 Thessalonians 5:14, Isaiah 35:3, Romans 15:1). Most of all, we have a hope that supersedes our earthly circumstances. We have the hope of Christ, whose eternal promises outweigh the sufferings of this world. For these reasons, the Church is not only on the front lines of the mental health crisis but is in the perfect position to foster hope and healing. This article explores 5 practical ways the Church can be a better place of support for those living with the experience of a mental diagnosis.
5 Steps to Create a Mental Health Ministry
Talking about mental illness can be a taboo subject in the church, because people often shy away from what they don’t understand or deny that it even exists. However, it is imperative that the church becomes prepared to care for and love those in our community with mental health challenges. Individuals often turn to leaders and members of the church first for assistance and we must be ready to meet their needs.
Fresh Hope for Mental Health Webinars
3 free webinars related to mental health ministry: "What I Wish My Pastor Knew About Mental Health," "How Churches Can Facilitate Access to Mental Health Care," and "How to Preach About Mental Illness."
Families impacted by depression…How can the church help?
Specific strategies for churches seeking to serve and welcome kids (and adults) with depression and their families.
How the church can be a community to those with depression
Church pastors and staffers, be courageous enough to talk about depression, and assure those in your congregations and communities that this Jesus we preach and teach about has real hope to offer, hope that is often found within the skill sets of counselors, doctors, and psychiatrists who have spent a lifetime preparing to help people. It is also found in the friendship and nurture of the church family.
How Pastors Can Love Their Church Through Mental Health Difficulties
This article from Grace Alliance gives 5 ways churches can support individuals recently diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or other mental health condition.
Giving Mental Health Awareness the Right Place in the Church
On the average Sunday morning a congregant may hear a sermon on being kind to strangers or a story about Jesus from the gospels, but how many sermons have you heard on mental health or suicide? Most likely none. And yet, the national suicide rate has increased 33 percent between 1999 and 2017. This is a public health crisis.
Being A Christian Does Not Make You Immune to Depression, Hopelessness, and Suicide
In this article from Church Leaders, the author shares his personal experience as a Christian living with depression and discusses the necessity of the Church addressing mental health issues from the pulpit.
Some Things You Should Know about Christians with Anxiety
Speaking from personal experience, the author of this article from Church Leaders covers 4 things you should know about your friends and family who are Christians with anxiety, including hoe the Gospel helps sustain hope in times of struggle.
Why churches matter in the fight against addiction
The church has been stepping in at this time of crisis, and we need even more of that as we battle a national illness that has no simple remedy. This article discusses how church planting is one key to attacking the problem of addiction. Click here to read article.
4 ways my pastor counseled me through drug addiction
I was addicted to drugs at 18 years old. I started developing an addiction at 14 and had a daily habit by 15. When I was 18, I began working for a guy at a mall kiosk who was a Christian. Through many conversations, he would seek to convince me why Christianity was true. For a year, I was very hostile to the conversations. At a time when I was very depressed and wanted some kind of relief, I finally, readily agreed to read the Bible. He suggested that I read Matthew because it was the first book of the New Testament. So I read it, God opened my eyes to his saving grace, and I became a Christian.
Preventing and Addressing Alcohol and Drug Problems
A handbook created by NACoA’s Clergy Education and Training Project® for SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention providing basic information on alcoholism and addiction, the impact of parental addiction on children, facts about adolescent alcohol and drug use, and prevention strategies.
Suicide Prevention: Three Approaches for Engaging Faith Communities
In this article from The Christian Post, a former ER doctor describes three practical approaches the Church can take to help prevent suicides: Top Down, Bottom Up, and Peer to Peer.
Responding to a Member Who May Be at Risk for Suicide
Key steps to take to help someone who may be at risk for suicide.
After a Suicide: Recommendations for Religious Services and Other Public Memorial Observances
A brief guide for faith community leaders and other community leaders that provides background information, suggests ways to care for and support survivors, and offers recommendations for planning a memorial observance.
Upstream Suicide Prevention: Stress & Resilience
This video from the VA Mental Health and Chaplaincy Program addresses various causes of stress, distress, and emotional suffering, as well as ways clergy can help people cope in the face of such challenges.
Suicide Prevention Competencies for Faith Leaders: Supporting Life Before, During, and After a Suicidal Crisis
This new resource, informed by faith community leaders and suicide prevention experts, aims to help equip faith leaders with the capabilities needed to prevent suicide and provide care and comfort for those affected by suicide.
Clergy and Mental Health Care: Abiding With Those Who Suffer
This video from the VA Mental Health Chaplaincy Program helps clergy consider how their faith communities minister to the needs of persons with mental health challenges, including Veterans.
Spiritual Care in Disaster Response
Basic trauma Information for congregations from the UMC.
Trauma Awareness for Ministry Leaders
This webinar by Key Ministry addresses what ministry leaders can do to raise awareness of trauma in their communities, and encourage people to reach out for help.
Sacred Series: Becoming a Trauma Informed Faith Community
This resource contains liturgy examples, steps and ideas, tips for practical ways of doing trauma informed care, a glossary, and 2 videos.
Becoming a Trauma-Informed Faith Community
Insights and resources to help churches and other faith communities do ministry with people affected by adverse childhood experiences or other trauma.
A Guide for Organizational Response to Collective Trauma
A handy booklet from the Institute for Collective Trauma and Growth
List of Mental Health Ministry Organizations
A compilation of local and national mental health ministry organizations
List of Mental Health Toolkits/Guidebooks/Manuals
Discover a compilation of handy free toolkits and other resources
3 Powerful Reasons Why I Led Our Youth Group Through a Mental Health Equipping Series
Learn how one youth group leader helped kids better understand their identity in Christ, develop supportive relationships with one another, and practice healthy habits towards better overall health.
Words from a Youth Pastor for Students on their Mental Health Journey
This article from Grace Alliance stresses the importance of helping youth develop a strong identity in Christ, especially as it relates to helping foster resiliency during a mental health struggle.
Youth Mental Health Disorders
There are many types of mental health disorders that affect youth. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) from the American Psychiatric Association provides a standardized classification of mental disorders used by mental health professionals across the United States in both clinical settings and with community populations. Additional information about specific mental health disorders and conditions that affect youth can be found on the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) website.
How Can I Help? Encouraging Youth to Support Loved Ones Struggling with Mental Health
It is essential that we equip students with the tools and guidance necessary to aid them in supporting loved ones in the grip of mental illness. This article helps us in encouraging youth and adults to support those around them struggling with mental health.
7 Reasons Young People with Depression and Anxiety Don't Go to Church
In this article, Dr. Stephen Grcevich of Key Ministry discusses seven potential barriers to church involvement we might consider for teens with common mental health conditions and their families.
Anxiety and Spiritual Development
Click here to learn signs of anxiety in children and how to address it
Q&A with a Therapist about Teen Depression
In this article, mental health counselor Kathy Wyant provides information for parents, youth workers, and others who work with teenagers, about teens and depression.
Youth Bible Study: Light in the Darkness
Depression, like other illnesses, was not part of God’s original plan. Instead it is the result of sin entering the world through the Fall. Sin affects Christians and non-Christians alike on a daily basis. No part of our life is immune.
Unstuck: A Teen Guide to Living in Uncertain Times
UNSTUCK helps teens cope during times of uncertainty, especially after a disaster such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The materials are written for teens to go through on their own and at their own pace. Topics include: naming your feelings, grieving and creating a lament, taking care of yourself, and setting goals. A Biblical passage related to each key concept is highlighted which point to Jesus Christ as the source of our comfort and hope. Teens could also benefit by working through the resource with experienced youth ministry workers in small groups over four weeks.
What’s a Person to Do? Helping Youth with Drug/Alcohol Addictions
It's your worst nightmare as a church youth professional - students using substances at a church event. Many of us have found ourselves in similar situations that required some type of immediate action. Not all substance abuse situations are overt, and many times even the obvious situations require not just immediate action but multiple follow-up steps. All too often, our young people suffer in silence as they watch friends and family members get subtly sucked into the vortex created by substance abuse and addiction. This article gives great insight and practical advice on the subject of substance use.
4 ways my pastor counseled me through drug addiction
I was addicted to drugs at 18 years old. I started developing an addiction at 14 and had a daily habit by 15. When I was 18, I began working for a guy at a mall kiosk who was a Christian. Through many conversations, he would seek to convince me why Christianity was true. For a year, I was very hostile to the conversations. At a time when I was very depressed and wanted some kind of relief, I finally, readily agreed to read the Bible. He suggested that I read Matthew because it was the first book of the New Testament. So I read it, God opened my eyes to his saving grace, and I became a Christian.
Let’s Talk: Alcohol Use & Abuse Youth Study
Are your youth involved with alcohol? It is quite likely! The issue of alcohol use and abuse is one which touches every person in your group in some way—whether it is a parent, a brother a sister, a friend or that person who has the problem. In this piece, you will explore the problem of alcohol abuse among teenagers. Youth will gain understanding for the reasons that people may begin to use or abuse alcohol and will seek alternative sources of support. Youth will be encouraged to help those around them who are troubled by alcohol or other chemical abuse. Finally, youth will discuss ways to have fun in life without alcohol.
What to Do When Your Child Has Thoughts of Suicide
Suicide is not something anyone wants to think about, let alone talk about. I have spoken often with despondent parents whose worst nightmare has become reality—their child has expressed thoughts of suicide.
Suicide Prevention Competencies for Faith Leaders: Supporting Life Before, During, and After a Suicidal Crisis
This new resource, informed by faith community leaders and suicide prevention experts, aims to help equip faith leaders with the capabilities needed to prevent suicide and provide care and comfort for those affected by suicide.
Responding to a Member Who May Be at Risk for Suicide
Key steps to take to help someone who may be at risk for suicide.
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Steps for Youth Ministry
Ideas for youth ministries to prevents ACES
The Youth Worker's Guide to Helping Teenagers in Crisis
A synopsis and review of the book by the same title.
Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences Videos
This resource contains an article, some statistics, and videos on the topic of ACES.
1-2-3 Care: A Trauma Sensitive Toolkit for Caregivers of Children
The 1-2-3 Care Toolkit is intended to support caregivers on their journey towards trauma sensitivity. It is organized by topic, each offering a brief overview, specific tools that can be used with children, and where to find more information. Also included are handouts that can be used as teaching aids.
A Guide for Organizational Response to Collective Trauma
A handy booklet from the Institute for Collective Trauma and Growth
After a Suicide: Toolkit for Schools
Assists schools in implementing a coordinated response to the suicide death of a student. Includes information and tools that middle and high schools can use to help the school community cope and reduce suicide risk. The toolkit was developed in collaboration with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and in consultation with national experts, including school-based administrators and staff, clinicians, researchers, and crisis response professionals. It is designed primarily for administrators and staff but can also be useful for parents and communities.
Supporting Grieving Students: A Handbook for Teachers and Administrators
A helpful guide for understanding how grief manifests itself in youth and how teachers and administrators can help.
Quick Reference on Mental Health for Faith Leaders
A handy reference and tip sheet for church workers and teachers.
Protecting Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory
Dr. Vivek Murthy calls for a whole-of-society effort to mitigate the mental health impacts of the pandemic, to address longstanding challenges, and to prevent future mental health challenges. There is a section "What Educators, School Staff, and School District Can Do" on p. 16.
Faith Leaders’ Guide to Self-Care After a Suicide
When someone dies by suicide, faith leaders are often called upon to provide care and support to the individual’s family members, friends, and others in the community. As faith leaders help others navigate a healthy grief journey after a suicide, they may experience unique stressors and challenges that affect their own well-being. This video highlights the importance of self-care among faith leaders and shares guidance on what faith leaders can do to care for themselves after a suicide.
Caring for Pastors
Chaplain (Army Lt. Col.) Steven C. Hokana, assistant director of LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces, shares a word of encouragement for pastors who are struggling through the current coronavirus pandemic. Although there is a period of trial now (which Luther called "Anfechtung"), there is hope through the Gospel.
Threats to Churchworker Wellbeing 1
Pastor Richard Koehneke discussing the first two threats to church worker wellbeing.
Threats to Church Worker Wellbeing 2
Part 2 of Pastor Richard Koehneke's video on church worker wellbeing.
Preventing COVID-19 Compassion Fatigue & Burnout
FREE COURSE: Faith-Based and Research-Based Approaches to Building Resilience. This course will help you build resilience by helping you understand your risks for compassion fatigue, recognize burnout, and use practical and proven self-care strategies for cultivating resilience.
Mental Health Monday: Making a Plan for Self-Care
Dr. Beverly Yahnke, Executive Director for Spiritual Counsel with DOXOLOGY talks about developing a plan for self-care, including what we mean by self-care, why we need a plan, how we begin developing this plan, things that are important to consider, and how we ensure we make use of this plan.
Self-Care for Ministry Leaders
On this edition of the Fresh Hope for Mental Health podcast, Pastor Brad Hoefs pours his heart out about his own struggles and personal journey with mental health and ministry, speaking directly to those who are ministry leaders in the Christian church and who are suffering publicly, or quietly.
PODCAST: The Anxiety That Is Unique to Church Leaders
Steven Cuss is the lead pastor of Discovery Christian Church just outside of Denver, Colorado. He has a heart for ministry leaders and understands the pressures they experience when it comes to dealing with anxiety. Steve has spent many years helping leaders and their teams find freedom from unhealthy patterns. He is the author of the book, Managing Leadership Anxiety, in addition to hosting a podcast of the same name.
Compassion Fatigue: Serving Our Lord Faithfully Without Burning Out
This Bible study written by The Rev. Dr. Rick Marrs, an ordained LCMS pastor and licensed psychologist, discusses the psychological ideas of "compassion fatigue" and "burnout" that often afflict church workers in light of the comfort and wisdom of Scripture. This can be used as a personal Bible study or as a pastoral staff Bible study during staff meeting.
Care for the Caregiver: A Guide During the COVID-19 Pandemic
This engaging resource for caregivers from The Trauma Healing Institute includes a self-assessment tool to gauge your current stress level, examines common sources of stress, and offers practical tips for how to care for yourself when you are feeling overwhelmed in your care for others. This document was created for use during the COVID-19 pandemic, but can be useful during any time of stress.
The Model for Healthy Living for Clergy: Self-Assessment, Reflection, and Goals
This self-care tool from Church Health Reader gives clergy the opportunity to pause and assess wellness against the backdrop of their professional ministry context and reflect on ways to support a healthy life to continue answering God’s call to a healthy ministry. Church Health Reader is licensed under Creative Commons license.
Recognizing and Preventing Burnout in Yourself
This tip sheet provides guidance on recognizing when you are at risk of burning out, or starting to burnout, including what to do when you see the key signs of burnout.
Grace Place Wellness
Grace Place Wellness Ministries teaches professional church workers the attitudes, skills, and practices that enable them to experience a long, joyful, and flourishing career through in-person and virtual retreats, guest speaking appearances, and a continual flow of fresh resources that teach the basic principles of The Wellness Wheel. Grace Place helps church workers find relief from the pressures they face while avoiding the traps that lead to burnout, sin, and despair.
Fresh Hope for Pastors
Equips church leaders with the necessary tools and support for a lifetime of fruitfulness even as they experience the professional and personal challenges of pastoral ministry. They are committed to nurturing the spiritual, relational, emotional, and mental well-being of church leaders and their loved ones in order to enrich the vitality of their churches and ministries.
Full Strength Network
Full Strength Network is a non-profit ministry created to strengthen Christian pastors and their families for their overall well-being. They are a growing national network of caregivers and service providers passionate about helping pastors and their families thrive in ministry life.
Run Hard. Rest Well
Run Hard. Rest Well. introduces restorative wellness to organizations and individuals through transformative seminars and half-day retreats. They help people rediscover simple and strategic commitments that reduce cortisol overload, feed the soul, and fuel joy and vibrancy through preventative care practices, crisis, and recovery.
Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat
Shepherd's Canyon Retreat Ministry offers week-long counseling retreats for men and women in ministry who are in the midst of various stages of burnout, stress, depression, and conflicts of all kinds.
Doxology
Doxology provides a safe environment for clergy to reflect on their own spiritual and emotional health and assists them to review and enhance their professional competencies and skills as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s sacred mysteries.
Mental health and pastoral ministry
Dr. Beverly Yahnke discusses common threats to church worker wellness, the high cost of burnout, and some organizations and agencies which specifically help pastor and other church workers in this area.
From Depression to Appreciation: Helping Pastors Thrive
Did you know that approximately 50% of pastors have struggled with depression themselves at some point? This article from The Christian Post offers practical suggestions for pastors to best care for themselves and discusses ways congregation members can encourage and support their pastors in order to prevent depression and burnout.
Twelve Ways Pastors Went from Burnout to Vision
12 practical tips for pastors and other church workers to help prevent burnout.
Self-Compassion Will Make You a Better Leader
When times are tough and you’re faced with hard decisions, it’s easy to get paralyzed by self-doubt and fear. To move to clarity and action, leaders need self-compassion. Research shows that it increases your levels of emotional intelligence, resilience, integrity, and makes you more compassionate toward others, all of which improves your effectiveness as a leader. The authors offer several exercises for cultivating this skill, from short daily practices to tactics that help you shift your mindset.
For Pastors Struggling with a Mental Health Issue
In ministry, our jobs are typically designed to help others. We are outwardly focused, pouring into others for the benefit of Christ. But what happens when the person in need of help is in our own family? What if the person struggling is actually our own self? This article from The Christian Post identifies some common barriers to church workers receiving help for their own mental health issues and ways to overcome them.
Mental Illness and Families of Faith: How Congregations Can Respond
This tool is designed to be used with clergy, members of congregations, family members and anyone desiring to learn more about mental illness and how to respond with compassion and care. It can be used as a small group study or as a resource to quickly find information on a specific topic when the need arises.
Mental Health Toolkit from The Lutheran Foundation
Find a variety of resources - including litanies, hymns and praise songs, prayers, camera-ready graphics and sermons - to support your church's mental health ministry.
Mental Health Sermon #3: Depression and the Brain
Addresses the topic of how to help a friend who has depression, and what it means to bear one another's burdens.
Where Does Hope Begin: Message 1
Hear a personal testimony of a congregation member at Hope Community Church in Shawano, Wisconsin who lives with mental illness, learn how her church is responding, and listen to a sermon by the pastor on the topic of mental health and the Church (his sermon begins around minute 5:26 of the video recording after the personal testimony piece).
Mental Health Sermon Sermon #1: Suicide and the Brain
Addresses mental illness as a disease of the brain that sometimes leads to suicide and how churches can respond in light of this perspective.
Preaching Hope in the Darkness: Help for Pastors in Addressing Suicide from the Pulpit
How can a preacher best address suicide from the pulpit? This book provides wise advice on a range of topics, including suicide prevention, funeral sermon preparation, and post-crisis care.
Sermon Starters Shared by Christians and Jews
Scripture ideas with short commentaries about Biblical characters in their most discouraging times and how they eventually found a path toward a fruitful and productive life with God.
A Mental Health Sermon, by Rev. Gabe Kasper
Being vulnerable to admit you have depression is difficult enough, but it is often more difficult when you are a pastor. Rev. Gabe Kasper, LCMS pastor in Ann Arbor, MI, shares his personal story of depression and offers a sermon on mental illness pointing us to the hope we have in Christ.
Litanies and Prayers Relating to Suicide
Litanies, blessings and prayers for those contemplating suicide.
Christian Litanies Addressing the Issue of Suicide
Christian litanies addressing suicide, from Action Alliance.
How to Lament
Easy-to-use resource that helps you cry out to God when you are in pain. Also available in Spanish.
Bulletin Inserts from Mental Health Ministries
The Mental Health Ministries website has several bulletin inserts related to a variety of mental health topics.
Widen the Welcome Bulletin Insert
5 simple things your congregation can do to make people with mental illness feel welcome in your church. From the UCC.
Free Mental Health Bulletin Inserts
This webpage from The Center for Faith and Community Health Transformation, Advocate Aurora Health, contains a variety of bulletin inserts on mental wellness related topics that can be added to your congregation’s bulletins and newsletters.
Suicide Prevention Communication Aids
These resources will help you communicate with your members about the Faith.Hope.Life.campaign. They may be used without permission, either in their current form, or as you choose to modify them to suit the culture, language, and customs of your particular faith community. These materials conform to Faith.Hope.Life. editorial guidelines; however, the theological or spiritual perspective of each is that of the contributor or the author and not necessarily that of the Action Alliance or the Faith Communities Task Force.
Gospel Relief for the Despairing: Speaking Christian Comfort to the Depressed and Suicidal
This downloadable resource contains practical advice in sections 1 and 2 for pastors and other church workers who counsel congregation members experiencing despair. Section 3 contains a Bible study that can be used in one-on-one counseling with individuals. The Bible study could also be adapted for use in a small group Bible study setting.
Grace for the Afflicted Discussion Guide
This discussion guide can be used as a Bible study that will help individuals and churches not just broaden their perspective about mental health, but USE their perspective to help themselves and others. It is intended to be used alongside the book Grace for the Afflicted.
Let’s Talk! Breaking the Silence around Mental Illness in Our Communities of Faith
Let this study be the beginning of opening up to one another in a safe environment about mental health issues.
Healing Community
This 12-week curriculum for small groups on the topic of mental health is based on the core concept that healing and wellness for those struggling with mental health concerns happens in community. It specifically explores how God is at work bringing healing into our lives through the Gospel and participation in community within the Church. The curriculum helps guide small groups into meaningful conversations as it explores six practices of healing community as outlined in Scripture. Originally designed by leaders at Broadway Christian Church in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, this small group curriculum can easily be adapted for an engaging Bible study at any church.
Preaching on Mental Health
Read about Rev. Shane Moore's experience introducing mental health to his congregation.
I’m a Pastor With Depression
It is can be difficult to admit you have depression when you are a pastor. Here is one pastor's story.
Finding Freedom from Addiction, Part 2
Dr. Gregory Jantz talks about some of the dynamics of addiction in the Christian community, such as shame, accountability and the importance of receiving God’s love and forgiveness. He also tackles the tough questions about intervention for family members who refuse to seek help. (Part 2 of 2)
Finding Freedom from Addiction, Part 1
Dr. Gregory Jantz discusses various forms of common addictions, such as opioids, eating disorders, sexual or relationship addictions, and technology.
Addiction and Depression
This video shares how addiction to alcohol and/or drugs often masks an underlying depression.
Celebrate Recovery is for All of Us
Learn how Celebrate Recovery can help people living with a variety of mental health and addiction issues in this brief video message from Pastor Johnny Baker at Saddleback Church.
DON'T HIDE FROM ADDICTION
A brief message of encouragement for those struggling with addiction from Pastor Johnny Baker, Pastor at Celebrate Recovery, Saddleback Church.
Spiritual and Emotional Roots and Treatment of Addiction
Addiction is increasing in severity in the world and the church. The Bible and current research agree on the solution. Dr. John Townsend provides you with the principles and skills to be free of addiction, or help someone you love.
Celebrate Recovery
Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind. Celebrate Recovery is a safe place to find community and freedom from the issues that are controlling our life.
A Story of Hope: Overcoming Bipolar Disorder, Alcoholism and a Drug Addiction
If you are a parent who is hoping and praying for your young adult to come to a point of wellness in spite of a mental health issue and various addictions, then this podcast is for you. And if you are someone who is struggling with a co-occuring diagnosis, this podcast is filled with hope just for you.
Battles with the Bottle
As you read in the title, this is a resource about battles. It’s actually about two battles. First is the battle with the bottle—active alcoholism. Second is the victory battle—the one called recovery, the battle beyond the bottle.
4 ways my pastor counseled me through drug addiction
I was addicted to drugs at 18 years old. I started developing an addiction at 14 and had a daily habit by 15. When I was 18, I began working for a guy at a mall kiosk who was a Christian. Through many conversations, he would seek to convince me why Christianity was true. For a year, I was very hostile to the conversations. At a time when I was very depressed and wanted some kind of relief, I finally, readily agreed to read the Bible. He suggested that I read Matthew because it was the first book of the New Testament. So I read it, God opened my eyes to his saving grace, and I became a Christian.
10 ways to help an addicted friend
Millions of people tell of the total loss of control of their lives they experienced through substance abuse. Around 20 percent of the U.S. population has abused prescription drugs. The sense many have that these are safe because they are legal has led millions to ruin. Prescription drug abuse has become the nation’s fastest growing drug abuse problem, killing more people annually than cocaine and heroin combined. Illicit drug abuse destroys users even more quickly.
5 ways to help our loved ones with addiction and mental illness
This article discusses five ways we can try to wrap our arms around those who struggle with addiction and point them to the Savior who is acquainted with and can shoulder their sorrow.
How to help the addict
If you have a family or are engaged in a community of people, it doesn’t take long to find someone dealing with addiction. Whether it is a member of your family, small group participant or a member of a congregation, there is someone near you who is struggling. So what do you do when someone you love has an addiction?
4 Things Christians Get Wrong About Addiction
Christians can be on the front line of reducing the stigma and shame around addiction. Learn four myths about what addiction is and how the Church can learn to change how we talk about addiction and treat those who are struggling with it.
You Are Not Your Disorder
Speaking from lived experience, author Andrew Voigt encourages those with mental health struggles to find their worth, hope and healing in their God-given identity.
What to Do When You’re Not Okay, Part 1
The first in a two-part video from Focus on the Family; licensed counselor Debra Fileta helps you better understand your emotions, assess your mental, physical, and spiritual health, and intentionally pursue a path to wellbeing.
What To Do When You’re Not Okay, Part 2
The second in a two-part video from Focus on the Family; licensed counselor Debra Fileta helps you better understand your emotions, assess your mental, physical, and spiritual health, and intentionally pursue a path to wellbeing.
Mental Health Ministries video - Anxiety Disorders: Overcoming the Fear
For some 23 million Americans, anxiety is more than a simple case of the nerves. Instead, it manifests in severe panic attacks that lead to fearful avoidance of certain places or situations. These fears can be as crippling as any serious physical illness. Help and hope are available.
The Role of Faith in Mental Health Recovery
News radio WWJ 950 interview / world mental health day with Grace Alliance co-founder and CEO Joe Padilla on the role of faith in mental health recovery.
Developing a Theology of Anxiety
The foundations we recognize in our life impact our mental health and overall wellbeing. In this podcast, Deaconess Heidi Goehmann focuses on what God values based on His Word rather than what the world around us values, and how this Biblical perspective affects anxiety and the care we offer for anxiety, as well as mental health stigma in general. A discussion guide with questions related to the podcast is included.
Helping Teens with Anxiety
Learn how to help teens change their anxious thinking habits and lead them torward a healthier mindset.
Help! My Teen Is Struggling With Anxiety
This article focuses on a God-centered approach for long-term recovery for teens dealing with anxiety issues, focusing on three truths that are helpful to parents and their kids.
Anxiety and Spiritual Development
Learn signs of anxiety in children and how to address it
You Are Not Your Disorder
Speaking from lived experience, author Andrew Voigt encourages those with mental health struggles to find their worth, hope and healing in their God-given identity.
7 Ways to Deal with Stress and Anxiety as a Christian
This article from Church Leaders describes the author’s personal experience with anxiety and seven practical ways he was able to get through it. It includes Scriptural references which undergird some of the practical principles mentioned.
Walking Through Depression from Focus on the Family
This broadcast from Focus on the Family offering hope to those struggling with depression. Plugged In's Paul Asay discusses his own battle with this affliction, including how medication, counseling, the support of family, and faith helped on his wellness journey.
What to Do When You’re Not Okay, Part 1
The first in a two-part video from Focus on the Family; licensed counselor Debra Fileta helps you better understand your emotions, assess your mental, physical, and spiritual health, and intentionally pursue a path to wellbeing.
What To Do When You’re Not Okay, Part 2
The second in a two-part video from Focus on the Family; licensed counselor Debra Fileta helps you better understand your emotions, assess your mental, physical, and spiritual health, and intentionally pursue a path to wellbeing.
Understanding Depression
Over 20 million adults in the U.S., many of them persons of faith, suffer from depression. The video's true stories about the hope of recovery counter stigma induced shame, myth and misinformation that keep up to one-half of depressed people from seeking treatment. It also highlights the role people of faith can play in ministering to the needs of depressed people. The complete show is available on the DVD set, Mental Illness and Families of Faith.
Teenage Depression and Suicide
Families and professionals review symptoms and recommend appropriate actions to take when it is suspected that a child or adolescent is at risk.
Shining a Light on Depression
Receive information from experts in this podcast from Focus on the Family that helps clear up misconceptions about depression as they highlight some circumstances that can lead to depression, the symptoms of depression, and how it can be treated.
I Trust When Dark My Road: A Lutheran View of Depression
This free downloadable book offers a rare glimpse into one LCMS pastor's personal journey through depression while remaining reliant on God's grace.
Youth Bible Study: Light in the Darkness
Depression, like other illnesses, was not part of God’s original plan. Instead it is the result of sin entering the world through the Fall. Sin affects Christians and non-Christians alike on a daily basis. No part of our life is immune.
4 Things That Relieved My Depression and Restored My Faith in God
If you have mental illness, you don't get a casserole. What's the equivalent of a casserole for people with mental illness?
Helping a Friend through the Darkness of Depression
Your friend is in the emotional crisis of depression. This is their darkest moment. What do you do? How can you help?
Tools for the Struggle Days
Everyone experiences time in life when they struggle to feel seen, known, and loved. We live in a world where we're told we have to be the best or do it all — and it can very easily wear on our souls. It's an exhausting and lonely world sometimes. These are some ideas and suggestions to combat these exhausting feelings and the circumstances that surround them.
An Open Letter to the Depressed Christian
Licensed counselor Debra Fileta explores three common false ideas about depression and mental illness that are frequently perpetuated among believers and encourages people to find hope and healing through a multi-faceted approach which includes holding to Biblical truths.
You Are Not Your Disorder
Speaking from lived experience, author Andrew Voigt encourages those with mental health struggles to find their worth, hope and healing in their God-given identity.
How To Care For A Depressed Loved One
This article examines the caregiving approaches given to some major historical figures in the Church, including Martin Luther and Charles Spurgeon, and offers three key pieces of advice based on the care they received that we can apply today when depression affects those we love.
4 Myths Christians Should Stop Believing About Depression
This article explores four common myths about depression that Christians often believe and perpetuate which stem from the myth that “true believers don’t suffer from depression.”
Parenting a Child Who Has Been Through Trauma
Parenting any child is challenging, but parenting a child who has been through trauma adds complexity and difficulty that few are prepared to handle. Colleen Swindoll Thompson, Vice President of Insight for Living’s Reframing Ministries, will share some trauma-related parenting challenges from her family, and provide insights and helpful resources to help other parents of traumatized children.
Healing from Trauma
Healing from trauma is always possible — but how does it really happen? This one-minute video explains how someone might begin the healing journey.
Responding to Child-Sized Trauma
This essay by Dr. Beverly Yahnke provides an overview of some of the wisdom available regarding a child’s
1-2-3 Care: A Trauma Sensitive Toolkit for Caregivers of Children
The 1-2-3 Care Toolkit is intended to support caregivers on their journey towards trauma sensitivity. It is organized by topic, each offering a brief overview, specific tools that can be used with children, and where to find more information. Also included are handouts that can be used as teaching aids.
Trauma Healing Basics Discussion Guide
An easy-to-use resource that helps you move toward healing through safe discussion in small groups.
Trauma Caregivers Cards
Providing care for people living with trauma can be draining. These print-at-home cards can help you care for yourself and experience God’s love when the burden of caregiving feels overwhelming.
Recognizing Trauma: Things to Know and Ways to Help
This resource walks you through the three most common ways trauma presents itself in people’s lives. Within each of the three items, you will find important information about trauma, what the Bible has to say about it, and one action step that may help.
Beyond Disaster: A Survivor's Guide
This free booklet can help you with practical ways to care for yourself and your loved ones. It also can help you recover emotionally and spiritually from the trauma you experienced.
Helping Children Cope with Trauma: 8 Important Steps
This article provides 8 practical pointers for helping children cope with trauma and grief.
6 Things to Consider When Facing Traumatic Impact
A professional counslor offers 6 points to consider if you’re dealing with your own mental and emotional pain as a result of trauma.
What Would Jesus Say to Someone Struggling with PTSD?
If He walked the earth today, how would Jesus reach out and respond to those who suffer from the aftereffects of trauma?
Caring for Kids in a Household with PTSD
Learn six practical ways that you can give care to children who are living with someone suffering from PTSD.
Suicide & Grief Q&A with Kay Warren
You are not alone. Other individuals and families are experiencing the pain of suicide. Kay knows how lonely and confusing mental illness and suicide loss can feel. In this video Kay answers questions from individuals who are struggling with suicidal thoughts, the people who are trying to support them, and survivors of suicide loss.
Suicide: Healing After the Death of a Loved One
Hear the story of an inspirational couple who lost their son to suicide. They share the story of how their faith community supported them and how they have used their painful experience to reach out to others.
Teenage Depression and Suicide
Families and professionals review symptoms and recommend appropriate actions to take when it is suspected that a child or adolescent is at risk.
Suicide Prevention with Dan Adams
Dan Adams shares how a positive, proactive, and upstream approach to care using social networks can ultimately prevent bullying, substance misuse and suicide. Dan is the Director of Training from Sources of Strength, a globally recognized suicide prevention programming Colorado.
Help and Hope: For Survivors of Suicide Loss
STOP Suicide Northeast Indiana has created this toolkit with practical advice for how to help someone grieving the loss of a loved one due to suicide.
Finding Hope: A Toolkit for Suicide Prevention
STOP Suicide Northeast Indiana has created this toolkit to help people quickly access information to help someone with thoughts of suicide and tips for how to help after a suicide attempt.
When Someone Dies by Suicide
This trifold brochure, written by Emily Boller after the death of her son by suicide, provides tips for clergy, congregation members, extended family members and friends for how to best care for and comfort a grieving family after the death of a loved one by suicide. Emily Boller’s wisdom and insights are a must-read for those wanting practical advice for what to say and do (and what not to say or do) after a suicide.
I Will Grieve for the Suicide: Gospel Comfort for Loved Ones Left Behind
This new free downloadable book from LCMS Life Ministry helps people walk through the grief associated with a death by suicide and includes appendices with discussion questions, prayers for the grieving, Scripture passages of comfort, and resource suggestions.
A grief like no other
If you are reading this, you are probably a survivor of suicide. Someone you care about has died, and you are grieving. We are so very sorry.
What to Do When Your Child Has Thoughts of Suicide
Suicide is not something anyone wants to think about, let alone talk about. I have spoken often with despondent parents whose worst nightmare has become reality—their child has expressed thoughts of suicide.
What if someone I know is contemplating suicide?
The suicide rate in the U.S. has gone up again. The increase has now raised the nation’s suicide rate to 13 per 100,000 people, the highest since 1986. So how should the church respond?
Suicide and hope
The Gospel brings hope that changes hearts and saves lives. Lutherans For Life’s Word of Hope Director, Deaconess Chrissie Gillet, PsyD, outlines for us the strategy of HOPE you can apply when someone you know has suicidal thoughts.
Surviving a Child's Suicide
How does a parent recover and move on from the tragedy of their child committing suicide? Even though six years have passed, I can still clearly picture the tragic evening. My fingers clicked on the laptop keyboard as my 14-year-old daughter walked into the room.
The Truth about Acceptance after a Suicide
This article from Grace Alliance discusses how acceptance of a loved one’s death by suicide is an integral part of a journey toward healing from the loss and for overall mental well-being. Learn five truths about acceptance which can help move you forward.
Supporting Grieving Students: A Handbook for Teachers and Administrators
A helpful guide for understanding how grief manifests itself in youth and how teachers and administrators can help.
Help for the Journey: A Six-Week Personal Study for Your Journey from Mourning to Joy
This free study from GriefShare guides participants through sections of the Bible that are relevant to the emotions, worries, and questions people often face after the death of a loved one to contribute toward the healing process.
To Acknowledge Our Grief is to Acknowledge Our Love
In this episode of the Wellness Compass Podcast, Scott Stoner reminds us that whenever we acknowledge our grief, we also acknowledge that we have loved and been loved. He discusses how repressing or hiding our grief is detrimental to our mental health and offers some practical advice for how to embrace loss in order to move through grief in a healthy manner. Reflection questions are also provided for personal application of the information presented.
Letting Grief Come to Church
In this episode of Christianity Today's "Suprised by Grief" podcast series, Daniel Harrell and author Clarissa Moll discuss how the diversity of the church’s gifts can provide vital support for grieving people after a loss. They talk about the challenges of pastoring through personal grief, how Jesus meets us uniquely in suffering, and how congregations can grow in their empathetic care for hurting people in their midst.
How to Lament
Easy-to-use resource that helps you cry out to God when you are in pain. Also available in Spanish.
Study Guide: Grief with No Warning
This free downloadable study guide and corresponding aricle from Living Lutheran magazine helps people reflect on how they can better love and support their Christian sisters and brothers in their grief. It also includes a section for congregations to develop a plan for walking alongside those who are grieving.
Living with Healthy Grief
Learn how to deal with the grief that comes from the death of a loved one or from divorce. It includes the stages of grief and provides teens with ideas on how to walk through the process of grief after a loss.
3 Ways to Help Your Kids Through Grief
One family’s story of helping their children through the loss of siblings.
How to Deal with Grief Using Two Helpful Guidelines
Learning how to deal with grief means that you don’t let it overwhelm you, but also that you don’t shove it away. This article shares how to create a safe space where your pain can be heard, honored, and understood so that you can heal.
7 Reactions to Grief Which May Surprise You
This article discusses 7 parts of grief we don't always expect and the importance of turning to God for ultimate comfort and peace.
5 Ways to Help People Through Grief
This article shares some best practices for walking alongside the grieving, especially youth.
GriefShare Holiday Help Center: Articles and Videos to Help You Plan for the Holidays
Practical wisdom for how to get through the holiday season condensed into 3 brief videos and 3 articles.
Caring for Yourself as a Caregiver
In this article from the WELS website, Alexis Adams, a professional counselor, shares a practical list of things you can do or keep in mind in order to prevent burnout as well as ways to incorporate more self-care into your everyday life in order to avoid reaching that point.
Helping Children Cope with Traumatic Events
This resource from the Humanitarian Disaster Institute can help parents, family members, teachers, clergy, and volunteers learn how to recognize stress reactions, listen, and help support children after acts of violence and other traumatic events.
Lifting the Lid
Lifting the Lid is a six-week Bible study course focused on faith and mental health. Created with small groups in mind, drawing on well-known Bible stories, it’s a free study resource to help churches explore the topics of emotional and mental wellbeing, using the Bible as a guide.
The Sanctuary Course
How can a church become a sanctuary—a place where individuals living with mental health challenges feel safe, supported, and a sense of belonging? The Sanctuary Course was created to inspire and equip communities of faith that are asking this important question. Developed in consultation with mental health professionals, theologians, and people with lived experience, this eight-session study guide explores key mental health topics and examines meaningful ways to offer companionship, support recovery, and promote wellbeing.
Navigating a Mental Health Crisis
"Navigating a Mental Health Crisis: A NAMI Resource Guide for Those Experiencing a Mental Health Emergency" (Crisis Guide) provides important, potentially life-saving information for people experiencing mental health crises and their loved ones. This guide outlines what can contribute to a crisis, warning signs that a crisis is emerging, strategies to help de-escalate a crisis, available resources and so much more.
Mental Health Gateway’s Empower Training
Empower yourself by learning how to create a safe environment for those struggling with mental illness in the FREE 2- hour online video training with Dr. Matthew Stanford. This free course will equip you with the techniques for identifying mental illness, developing safe and effective situational responses, building a network to quickly connect those in distress with professional care, and starting the conversation about mental health in your faith community.
Travelling Together: Dementia Inclusive Church Guide
This comprehensive guidebook can help caregivers of those experiencing dementia and other forms of memory loss through explanation of the symptoms of different types of dementia, the theology of dementia, what happens if dementia means a person no longer remembers their faith, and self-care tips for caregivers to prevent burnout.
Mental and Emotional Health Ministry Insights and Resource Guide
This free guidebook from Mental Health Grace Alliance helps ministry leaders (1) discover the need for mental health ministry in the Church, (2) learn how the Church can help reduce stigma related to mental illness, and (3) build a more caring culture to open the door for conversations in the Church about mental wellness. Free samples of Grace Alliance’s mental health workbooks are included in this guidebook.
2022 Back-to-School Toolkit
Mental Health America’s 2022 Back-to-School Toolkit is full of helpful information for students, teachers, school administrators, and parents on how to find ways to interrupt negative thoughts and behaviors and promote positive life skills for youth mental health.
5 Tips to Help Someone Feeling Overwhelmed and Discouraged
In this article Joe Padilla, the founder and CEO of Mental Health Grace Alliance, shares practical wisdom for how to offer a ministry of presence for someone who is struggling with their mental health. The suggestions offered are based on Scripture and best practices from neuroscience.
7 Things I Wish Christian Leaders Understood about Mental Illness
The struggles with mental illness are deep and complex. Here are seven things Christian leaders need to understand about mental illness to best support their church members and their families.
"There's this kid... Anxiety" tip sheet for church workers
Key Ministry has created a fantastic tip sheet to help parents, teachers, pastors, and Sunday School teachers better understand childhood anxiety in kids up to 12 years of age. It explains what is happening in the child’s brain, how to spot the condition, suggestions for classrooms, Sunday School planning recommendations, helping these kids grow in their faith, and other best practices. There is also a tip sheet on ADHD.
Mental Health Awareness podcast
In this podcast, part of Higher Things’ “Drive to School Podcast” series, Ashleigh Sheldon, a licensed mental health professional, and Pastor Harrison Goodman discuss the importance of having conversations around mental health and provide tips for how to maintain good mental wellness in the midst of life’s struggles.
A Christian teen's response to mental illness
This article describes what mental illness is like for three teens, some different treatment options, and how to best support someone living with mental illness.
Anxiety
In this podcast, part of Higher Things’ “Drive to School Podcast” series, licensed mental health counselor Ashleigh Sheldon and Pastor Harrison Goodman discuss different kinds of anxiety, some of the root causes of anxiety, what Jesus says about anxiety, and how to address anxiety clinically and spiritually toward better wellness.
101 ways to overcome burnout
Helping others is a good thing, but it can lead to burnout if we don’t take the time to care for ourselves. This practical, free, downloadable e-book by Spiritual First Aid explores the various factors that can lead to burnout, the physical, emotional, behavioral, spiritual, and cognitive signs of burnout, and helpful tips to prevent burnout. The content is interspersed with expert insights, helpful Scripture, words of encouragement, and comforting prayers.
How to heal PTSD with EMDR
In this short video, Dr. Randy Schroeder describes the remarkable healing power God provides through EMDR for people living with PTSD. Individuals counseled using EMDR have experienced diminished symptoms with their PTSD ranging from 25% to almost 100%.