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Mental Health Inclusion Ministry Any Church Can Do
The document discusses a framework for mental health inclusion in church settings, highlighting the need for intentional strategies to address barriers faced by individuals and families affected by mental illness. It identifies obstacles to church attendance and participation, such as stigma and sensory processing issues, while providing a model for creating welcoming environments. Key strategies are proposed for fostering inclusion, empowering community support, and ensuring meaningful connections within the church for those with mental health challenges.
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Mental Health Inclusion Ministry Any Church Can Do
- 1. Mental Health InclusionMinistry Any Church Can Do Stephen Grcevich, MD President and Founder, Key Ministry Wonderfully Made Conference Overland Park, KS October 25, 2019
- 2. Our objectives today… •Review research demonstrating the need for an intentional approach to mental health inclusion at church. • Identify obstacles to church attendance/participation for children, adults and families affected by mental illness • Introduce a model to guide the development of a mental health inclusion strategy • Share examples of how churches of different sizes are doing mental health inclusion well.
- 3. How having achild with a chronic health condition impacts attendance at religious services? Whitehead AL. J ScientificStudy Religion 2018;57(2)377-395. • Data analyzed from three waves of the National Survey of Children’s Health • Three samples (2003, 2007, 2011- 12) of approximately 100,000 families of children ages 0-17 • Examined the relationship between specific disabilities and families who identify as “never” attending a religious service
- 4. Whitehead AL. JScientificStudy Religion 2018;57(2)377-395.
- 5. Conditions NOT associated withlower church attendance • Asthma • Diabetes • Tourette’s Disorder • Epilepsy • Hearing problems • Vision problems • Intellectual disability (in most recent cycle) • Cerebral palsy Whitehead AL. J Scientific Study Religion 2018;57(2)377-395.
- 6. Why is churchparticipation so difficult? • Traits associated with common mental health conditions often clash with “church culture” –our expectations for how people should act when we come together
- 7. Why special needs ministrymodels don’t work with this population • Reluctance to self- disclose because of stigma, confidentiality • Kids, teens will FLEE activities that draw attention to their differences • They want to be included in what everyone else is doing!
- 8. A population toobig to ignore? Prevalence of common mental health conditions in TEENS 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Anxiety Social Anxiety Depression ADHD PTSD Prevalence Severe Impairment Source: National Institute of Mental Health
- 9. A population toobig to ignore? Prevalence of common mental health conditions in ADULTS 0 5 10 15 20 25 Any Mental Illness Anxiety Social Anxiety Depression ADHD PTSD Prevalence Severe Impairment Source: National Institute of Mental Health
- 10. What’s been missingis a widely accepted mental health inclusion strategy
- 11. The foundation ofKey Ministry’s mental health inclusion ministry model • Recognize non-essential features of ministry activities, environments, that make church attendance more difficult. • Implementation of strategies across all areas of ministry to welcome children, adults and their families.
- 12. Mental health inclusionas the third wave of the disability ministry movement? Second wave: autism, special needsFirst wave: physical disabilities
- 13. Can someone be“disabled” at church and function well in other life activities?
- 14. What are some potentialbarriers to church attendance?
- 15. Seven barriers toincluding families impacted by mental illness at church • Stigma • Anxiety • Capacity for self-control • Sensory processing • Social communication • Social isolation • Past experiences of church
- 16. Stigma WHAT THEN ISWRONG WITH THE “MENTALLY ILL?” THEIR PROBLEM IS AUTOGENIC; IT IS WITHIN THEMSELVES. Jay Adams • Mental illness defined as sin, parenting problem • If it’s not a disability, why would disability ministry serve them? • Widespread perception they’re not welcome at church
- 17. A widespread perception among adults outsideof the church that persons with mental illness aren’t welcome…
- 18. Anxiety People with anxiety overestimatethreat, risk when entering unfamiliar situations • Social anxiety • Separation anxiety • Agoraphobia • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- 19. What church activitiesare challenging for children and teens with anxiety? • Separating from parents at worship • Unfamiliar situations… retreats/mission trips • Self-disclosure in small groups • Large group social situations • Transitions between age- group ministries
- 20. Challenges at churchfor adults with anxiety • Visiting a new church for the first time • Fear of becoming focus of attention • Lack of available seating near an exit (agoraphobia) • Meeting new people • Joining a small group/self- disclosure • Using the phone
- 21. Self-control Executive functioning refersto cognitive abilities involved with modulating other abilities and behaviors. • Behavioral inhibition • Verbal working memory • Non-verbal working memory • Emotional self-regulation • Reconstitution
- 22. One parent’s lament… “Peoplein the church believe they can tell when a disability ends and bad parenting begins.”
- 23. Who said this? “A respectfuland mannerly 5-year-old unbeliever is better for the world than a more authentic defiant, disrespectful, ill-mannered, unbelieving bully. The family, the friendships, the church, and the world in general will be thankful for parents that restrain the egocentric impulses of their children and confirm in them every impulse toward courtesy and kindness and respect.”
- 24. The more kidshave to process, the less capacity they have for self-control
- 25. Sensory Processing NOISE, LIGHT,TOUCH, SMELLS AND TASTE THAT OTHERS FIND ENGAGING ARE AVERSIVE Challenges for kids: Pick up and drop-off times High energy worship Vulnerability to aggressive behavior Challenges for adults: Greeting times (hugging, handshakes) High-energy worship Multiple conversations in close proximity
- 26. Social Communication DIFFICULTIES ATCHURCH FOR PERSONS WHO STRUGGLE TO PROCESS SOCIAL CUES Church-specific challenges: • Small talk • Small groups • Bullies • Unfamiliar situations
- 27. Social Isolation HOW DOPEOPLE FIND YOUR CHURCH IF THEY DON’T KNOW SOMEONE ATTENDING YOUR CHURCH? • Parents less likely to connect with neighbors through children’s activities, friendships • Isolation as a symptom of depression, anxiety
- 28. Past Experiences ofChurch THE APPLE OFTEN DOESN’T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE! • Lack of support from church in a time of need • No one noticed when they were missing • No help offered when a child experienced struggles • Adults with mental health concerns as children never got in habit of attending
- 29. Welcoming the Phillips family The Phillipsfamily lives down the street from your church. Becky (a single parent) is raising Josh (age 9) and Jennifer (age 7). Josh was invited toVBS by a friend from school, had a great time and wants to come to church every Sunday. and to Awana on Wednesday night. Josh is on medication for ADHD and receives special education services for dyslexia. Jennifer has separation anxiety disorder Becky has social anxiety disorder and agoraphobia What might go wrong in the first month of her trying to attend your church
- 30. Key considerations foran effective mental health inclusion strategy… • Inclusion is a mindset – not a program • A good strategy benefits everyone and doesn’t require anyone to self-identify • Ministry is owned by the people and supported by staff • No church will be able to include everyone with mental illness, but every church can do more than they’re currently doing!
- 31. Defining the “win” •Your ministry achieves a win when any family member of someone with mental illness has a meaningful encounter with your church. • Persons with mental illness have spouses, parents, sons, daughters, siblings who need churches too! • Mental health ministry and foster care/adoption ministry go hand in hand.
- 32. Mental health ministryis family ministry!
- 33. Seven strategies forpromoting mental health inclusion (TEACHER) • Assemble your inclusion team • Create welcoming ministry environments. • Focus on ministry activities most essential to spiritual growth • Communicate effectively • Help families with their most heartfelt needs • Offer education and support • Empower the people of your church to assume responsibility for ministry
- 34. Who needs a seatat the table? Building your inclusion team • Senior leadership • Ministry directors on church-wide implementation team • Ministry departments may have their own team • Consider gifts, talents, passions of church members, attendees
- 35. What might ourmental health inclusion planning process look like? • Leaders in each ministry area might identify potential barriers, useful strategies within their area of responsibility. • An alternate approach might be to focus on a strategy (or several strategies) and implement the strategy across your ministry departments or environments. • Assigning responsibility for the plan (or components of the plan) with deadlines for implementation important.
- 36. Using the ministryplanning tool…
- 37. Predominant strategy: Asensory- friendly ministry environment • Sound (volume, simultaneous conversations) • Lighting • Flooring • Window treatments • Wall color • “Fragrance-free” zones • Seating • Dress code
- 38. Elements of sensory-friendly ministryenvironments • Sound (volume, simultaneous conversations) • Lighting • Flooring • Window treatments • Wall color • “Fragrance-free” zones • Seating • Dress code
- 39. A process forbecoming more sensory-friendly? • Consider starting with… • Entrances • Worship spaces • Children’s/student ministry spaces • Vacation Bible School • Sensory-friendly movies • Role for Online church
- 40. Welcoming ministry environments… • Promotefocus, attention • Help attendees prioritize most important takeaways • Support those with difficulty processing directions. • Sensory stimulation engaging, not overwhelming • Supports kids in maintaining self-control • Seating in worship services, large group events for persons with panic disorder, agoraphobia
- 41.
- 42. Inclusion in high-impact ministry activities Prioritize whatyou MOST want people to do to grow in faith • Weekend worship? • Small groups? • Missions/serving? • Prayer, family devotions?
- 43. Develop a mentalhealth communication strategy • Preach it from the pulpit! • What NOT to say • Use of pictures, video on church website • Bulletins, printed materials • E-communication • Social media • Online church inclusion
- 45. What churches aredoing to communicate more effectively • Praying for persons with mental illness during worship services • Interviewing respected members of congregation impacted by mental illness during worship services! • Saddleback’s Hope for Mental Health Community
- 46. Mental Health AwarenessSunday • Strategy for announcing mental health inclusion strategy, welcoming friends, neighbors • Teaching in worship on mental health-related topic • Great event for small-medium size churches • Church “conversation” can be very powerful!
- 47. Mental health awarenesscards • Crossroads Mansfield developed mental health education brochures for churches • A resource for church members to share with friends and neighbors • Available through the Church and Mental Health blog
- 48. A place for“one-point” messages?
- 49. Helping families with theirmost heartfelt needs… • Casseroles • Respite care • Current mental health referral list • Counseling
- 50. “Next Steps” • Anarea to help persons with mental health concerns enter into the church community • Facilitates entry into groups • Services provided by local counseling center in the church • Mental health crisis response team for attendees
- 51.
- 52. Mental Health Education and Support • Trainingfor pastors, church staff, volunteers • Seminaries • Mental Health First Aid • Trauma-informed care • Christian-based mental health education, support • Fresh Hope • Grace Alliance • Celebrate Recovery • My Quiet Cave • Mental health support • NAMI
- 53. Fresh Hope vs.Grace Alliance Fresh Hope • Long-term groups • Based upon six tenets grounded in Scripture • Adults attend with their loved ones, then go to breakout groups • Models for teens, prison ministry Grace Alliance • Time-limited education & support groups • 16-week groups for adults (separate group for loved ones) • 10-week model for college students • Online training, education for church leaders
- 54. Empowering your peopleto assume responsibility for ministry • Organic models of support- “Grabbing a mop” • Relational respite • Use of Stephen’s ministers • Mental health liaison
- 55. The best strategy? Having atrusted friend to come alongside new visitors at church
- 56. The Role ofMental Health Liaison • Primary mental health contact, advocate at church • Meets with new visitors with mental health needs • Maintains current mental health referral list • Contact for professionals seeking supportive churches • Coordinates training for church, lay leadership • Obtains additional resources and support from organizations like Key Ministry
- 57. Other roles forthe mental health liaison • Interfaces with Care/Prayer team, small group leaders, communication team • Take care of prayer and tangible needs first • Makes sure people with mental health needs are not forgotten and are included in the church community
- 58.
- 59. Five characteristics ofthe “mental health literate” church • Demonstrates an intentional inclusion planning process • Educates church staff, volunteers on mental illness • Implements a mental health communication strategy • Provides practical help to individuals, families affected • Offers mental health-specific education/support groups
- 60. The first stepto beginning a mental health inclusion strategy • Senior pastors • Pray for discernment • Pursue buy-in from staff, board • Church staff, volunteers • Approach senior leadership for support, guidance • Developing a personal ministry • Respect church leaders • “Be the church” where you’ve been planted
- 61. Taking the NextStep…Together
- 62. Key Ministry promotesmeaningful connection between churches and families of kids with disabilities for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ. Free training, consultation, support and resources What Does Key Ministry Do?
- 63. Help from Key Ministry Training •Conferences • Video training • Roundtables Consultation to church teams Resources • Networking with other ministries • Social media, sermon videos, research to support your ministry Someone to come alongside your ministry!
- 64. Connect with KeyMinistry Catherine Boyle –Director of Mental Health Ministry • www.keyministry.org • Twitter: @KeyMinistry • www.facebook.com/keyministry • www.keyministry.org/contact/ • steve@keyministry.org • catherine@keyministry.org
Editor's Notes
- #50 How will you promote the development of relationships with families outside the church and help support connectedness of families that have a relationship with your church? Links: https://drgrcevich.wordpress.com/2015/06/23/mental-health-inclusion-responding-to-practical-needs/
- #55 How can your people be engaged in the work of your ministry and empowered to “be the church” for families wherever they’re placed? Links:https://drgrcevich.wordpress.com/2015/06/08/churches-mental-health-inclusion-and-respite-care/ https://drgrcevich.wordpress.com/2015/06/28/mobilize-the-people/
- #63 Reinforce Key Ministry’s Mission… Free Consultation service Training Front Door…online church Inclusion Fusion