Mental Health Ministries e-Spotlight - August 2009
Many of us espouse an integrative approach to mental illness…a philosophy of treatment that
acknowledges the physical, emotional and spiritual components of these illnesses. But our current
mental health delivery system works on a medical model that puts the emphasis on the illness and not
on the many other needs of the individual.
The medical model looks for a cure. The emphasis is on finding answers and the relief of symptoms. As
we know, many times there is not a cure. But healing is the peace that comes from knowing that
God is working in our lives to bring about the best possible outcome, which is healing of mind, body
and spirit. This sense of peace and wholeness are gifts from a loving and compassionate God even as
we learn to live with mental illness.
The challenge we face today is not the choice between faith and science. We need both. We
need to find ways to build bridges of understanding between the faith communities and the mental health
providers.
SPIRITUAL ASSESSMENT TOOLS
Some spiritual assessment tools have been added to our website to help mental health
professionals find ways to include a person’s faith and spirituality in the treatment and recovery process. Included
on the Home page and under Resources and Links you can download the following tools for spiritual assessment.
MILSTEIN MODEL FOR CLERGY AND PSYCHOLOGISTS
WORKING TOGETHER
When clergy refer members of their congregations to social workers and psychologists,
they typically turn to people who share their religious values, but this approach may not provide
people with the care they need according to Glen Milstein, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the
City College of New York (CCNY). According to Dr. Milstein, “Most Americans are religious, but most mental
health professions are unaffiliated with religious congregations. Therefore, seeking help only
from professionals with shared religious values may exclude congregants from needed professional expertise.”
For the past decade, Dr. Milstein has led a multidisciplinary team of researchers in developing a
new multidisciplinary, multifaith, and research-focused model for relationships between clergy and
clinicians that is religion-inclusive rather than faith based. Known as C.O.P.E. (Clergy Outreach
and Professional Engagement), the approach is designed to reduce burdens on both professions.
The key to the C.O.P.E. model is the recognition that mental illness is a chronic disease; sometimes
one can function and other times not. Milstein says, “Clinicians and clergy perform distinct,
complementary functions in treating these syndromes. While clinicians provide professional treatment
to relieve individuals of their pain and suffering and move them from dysfunction to their highest
level of function, clergy and religious communities provide a sense of context, support, and community
before, during, and after treatment.”
The program aims to improve care of individuals by facilitating reciprocal collaboration between clinicians
and members of the clergy, regardless of either’s religious affiliation. Working from the
National Institute of Mental Health’s four prevention categories, Dr. Milstein and his team developed
two handouts, one for mental health professionals and the other for clergy, available at:
http://www1.ccny.cuny.edu/prospective/socialsci/psychology/gmilstein.cfm
MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRIES DVD SET
 We
have put the best of our educational videos on our two DVD set to help educate faith communities about
various mental health issues. The shows on the set, Mental
Illness and Families of Faith: How Congregations Can Respond, are “user-friendly” and
short enough to be used in a variety of settings including classes and small groups. Each segment
has a discussion guide with background information, questions for discussion and where to find additional
resources.
These eight shows cover a variety of mental health issues. Professionals provide important information
about each illness. But mostly you will hear from real people who live with these brain disorders. Each
segment presents an issue related to the experience of mental illness, puts a face to the issue and
offers a message of hope.
LIST OF SHOWS
Disc 1
Coming Out of the Dark (Interfaith Introduction, (Length: 53 seconds)
Mental Illness in Different Age Groups (Length: 17:39 minutes)
Mental Illness and Families of Faith (Length: 20:50 minutes)
Understanding Depression (Length: 16:31 minutes)
Overcoming Stigma: Finding Hope (Length: 13:13 minutes)
Disc 2
Addiction and Depression (Length: 16:42 minutes)
Anxiety: Overcoming the Fear (Length: 18:49 minutes)
Teenage Depression and Suicide (Length: 14:39 minutes)
Eating Disorders: Wasting Away (Length: 12:58 minutes)
Creating Caring Congregations (Length: 10:39 minutes)
This 2 DVD set is closed captioned.
The price is $49.95 with $6.00 shipping. It can be ordered
on our website or you can write a check to Mental Health Ministries and send it to the address
below.
Short clips from many of our shows can be viewed on our website by going to the VHS Resource section
and clicking on the various topics offered.
NAMI NATIONAL CONVENTION
The NAMI national convention in San Francisco provided a wonderful opportunity for networking
with others working in the area of spirituality and mental illness. Some exciting models of ministry
were shared at the NAMI FaithNet Special Interest Workshop. Those of us on the national advisory
committee and NAMI national staff are committed to finding ways to easily access information and resources. You
can subscribe to the NAMI FaithNet e-newsletter at http://www.nami.org/faithnet. I
encourage you to visit the NAMI website often as it is continually updated with articles, news and resources. NAMI
FaithNet brochures are available in the NAMI store. 50 brochures cost $6.
SNIPPETS FROM SUSAN
 The
Soloist
One of the highlights of the recent NAMI national convention in San Francisco was the appearance
of Nathaniel Ayers, the man behind the story of in the movie, “The Soloist.” Nathaniel’s
moving story helps all of us understand the relationship of mental illness and homelessness. Once
more we are reminded that in sharing one’s story, the ignorance, stereotypes, fear and stigma
surrounding mental illness begin to break
We were not sure that Nathaniel would actually come to receive his award in front of hundreds of persons
who have been affected by mental illness. But he blessed us with sharing his music, his smile,
his courage and his presence with us. Journalist Steve Lopez and Nathaniel’s sister were
also present to share how their lives have been profoundly changed through sharing Nathaniel’s
difficult journey of living with mental illness.
I sat at a table with two women who worked with the homeless in downtown Los Angeles. They related
to me how many of the other homeless persons who appeared in the movie also experienced a profound
change when they saw themselves on the screen in this movie. When one of the women was able to
look at what her life had become, she said that the person on the screen is not who she is. It
is not who God intended for her to be. She transformed her life by getting off drugs and off
the street. She continues to move towards recovery.
Other persons filmed in the story had a similar experience because they too experienced the power
of connecting with persons who treat them with respect and dignity. The barriers between “us” and “them” were
broken down. And the persons involved in the production of the crew and those of us who watched
the movie have all been transformed and challenged to erase the stigma surrounding mental illness and
to work to bring systemic change to the mental health care delivery system in our country.
Michael Fitzpatrick, the Executive Director of NAMI, wrote, “The Soloist is a symphony, providing
an honest look at mental illness, human dignity and the need for social connection.” Medications
may cure the symptoms but it is relationship and love that heal the soul.
May we all experience the redemptive power of relationships.
Rev. Susan Gregg-Schroeder
Coordinator of Mental Health Ministries
6707 Monte Verde Dr.
San Diego, CA 92119
www.MentalHealthMinistries.net |
