On March 10, I stood in a classroom teaching Mental Health First Aid. I was three hours away from the closest confirmed COVID-19 case. Nothing had been cancelled, life in my small rural county hadn’t been altered in any way, and people didn’t seem scared. We live in a very remote area, tucked in the … Read more
Faith Communities
“Hello, I am the protective factor,” was the unorthodox greeting I recently received following congregational prayer in my local mosque. The elderly gentleman who approached me was a participant in a Mental Health First Aid class a few weeks prior. He went on to explain that in the class he learned that youth need to … Read more
Many faith communities are at the front lines of the fight for better mental health. A faith community – whether a mosque, church, synagogue or temple – provides a space for people to connect with others and to find and give support in trying times. More and more, faith communities are bringing Mental Health First … Read more
For more than a decade, I was a global advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS. Sadly, I grew accustomed to people whispering in my ear, “I’m HIV positive.” They didn’t say it aloud because the stigma was deep and profound. Unfortunately, shame and stigma are just as real in the world of mental illness. When … Read more
I immediately saw the need when I heard about Mental Health First Aid from a church member. As a pastor, I encounter various individuals who are touched by mental health crises, directly or indirectly. I’ve now taken both regular first aid and Mental Health First Aid. I’ve used both, but certainly see the opportunity to … Read more
Faith-based groups across the nation are reacting to acts of violence and vandalism, like the recent defacing of a synagogue and shooting in a South Carolina church by partnering with mental health organizations (“Local religious organizations recognize need for violence prevention with training,” The News & Advance, April 26, 2017). Religious organizations are no longer … Read more
