Mental Health Ministry
The Mental Health Ministry was derived as a separate ministry arising out of the relevant concerns of several members of the Justice & Peace Ministry. Our purpose is to alleviate the suffering and painful stigmas commonly borne by those beset with mental illness, as well as those who love and care for them. We do this in a number of ways that involve Education, Information and Support.
Education: Our Ministry hosts the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Family-to-Family Education Program (the next beginning March 5, 2012), a twelve week course facilitated by volunteers who are trained in the Program and readily understand the experiences of caring for a loved one who suffers with mental illness. Some facilitators are members of our own parish community.The professionally developed NAMI course is geared toward those who care for someone with a mental illness; it is not intended for the loved one with the illness. The Program covers all the major mental illnesses, the basics of the way the brain functions, a medication review and other topics that relate directly to understanding and managing the disorders. Course participants find empathetic understanding as well as education. They connect with others who may be walking a similar path. We have offered this well-attended course several times since fall of 2008 and find a continuing need for it. The course is free but space is limited and registration is required.
For More Information &/or to Register, contact:
Peggy Whelahan: 201-785-9076
Pat Swanton: 201-825-2633
Information: We stock our parish library with a wide variety of materials dealing with mental illness, including informative booklets on various diagnoses; timely announcements of upcoming events and presentations, as well as pamphlets and brochures on resources and other programs available in Bergen County.
Support: As participants complete the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program, we invite them to join us periodically during the year to get to know each other better and to offer support to one another.
|
Did You Know?
One in Four Families is affected by Mental Illness.
The National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery is October 5.
Twice as many people live with schizophrenia than with HIV/AIDS.
About 20% of U.S. women will have a major depressive episode in their lifetime.
About 13% of U.S. men will have a depressive episode in their lifetime. The number may be higher because it is masked as substance abuse or irritability.
The patroness of those afflicted with mental and nervous disorders is St. Dymphna.
People who suffer from mental illness also suffer stigma, and stigma is a justice issue.
Presentation offers a mental health education course for caretakers twice each year.
|
