Mental Health Ministries: To Erase the Stigma of Mental Illness

#100 - Creating Caring Congregations

Creating Caring Congregations VHS A closed-captioned video produced by Mental Health Ministries. This program is also available on DVD, check our Programs on DVD section.

This program is a project of Mental Health Ministries, an ecumenical program through the California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. The mission of Mental Health Ministries is to educate clergy and lay persons for the purpose of decreasing the stigma associated with mental illnesses in our faith communities. Providing resources to churches to develop a mental health program in the local church is the important first step in the inclusion and support of persons with mental illnesses and their families into the life of the church community. The sharing of personal stories and experiences provides a way to give voice to those who have suffered in silence, and allows churches to begin the process of reaching out and providing compassionate care to those affected by disorders of the brain.

This video is divided into four sections. With a total running time of under 30 minutes, it can be viewed in one sitting. Another option is to view the various sections separately to provide education and encourage discussion among specific groups in the church. A Discussion Guide is included that provides a brief overview of each segment and some questions to help generate discussion among group members.

Individuals share their personal experiences with various mental illnesses in the first three sections. Shawn's Story tells of an adolescent's experience with bi-polar depression, addiction and suicidal ideations. Carol's Story is about the most common illness of the brain, clinical depression, with accompanying anxiety issues. Jan's Story highlights how the normal life changes associated with the aging process can lead to depression in older adults. The final segment, How Congregations Can Respond, provides a five-step program of education, covenant, welcome support and advocacy, to help churches begin to address mental health issues in the local church

Creating Caring Congregations has been awarded in the 24th Annual Telly Awards for its high standard of excellence in the Religious program category. The Telly Awards annually showcases the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators and corporate video departments in the world.

Run time of resource: 29:15 minutes
~~This VHS resource sells for $20.00.~~
We're liquidating our stock. This resource is now available for $10.00, while supplies last.

	To buy this VHS with a credit card (Visa, MC, AMEX, Discover), click on the "Buy Now" button below to purchase through PayPal (you do not need to be a PayPal member to send payment through this service).
	To pay by check or money order, download the MHM Video Form here (PDF Format). Please check the number of tapes you want to purchase and send check/money order (payable to "Mental Health Ministries") to: Mental Health Ministries c/o Rev. Susan Gregg-Schroeder 6707 Monte Verde Drive San Diego, CA 92119
	Click on the image to the left to download the Creating Caring Congregations Flyer to inform others about this helpful video. (PDF format)
	Click on the image to the left to download the Creating Caring Congregations Brochure outlining the subjects discussed in the video while giving helpful tips and resource information. (PDF Format)