On March 15th we hosted a webinar that generated significant traffic on Mental health and ministry.
If you haven’t yet taken in this webinar, here is a link that will take you to the recorded version.
As a team of bloggers for the Youth Ministry section of the Network, we reflected on “what can we add” which might aid this conversation further. What would be helpful for churches and ministry leaders on this topic?
A couple things came to mind.
- Are there stories in our churches that we can share with you containing some learnings for congregations when it comes to walking with those who struggle with mental health issues? One such story will be coming soon so stay close to this site.
- What resources have some of us used that we can share with churches? Today we want to share some of these resources with you.
We will start with our local connection
- The Network has lots of resources on a variety of mental health topics. Check out these mental health resources.
A few books that have been helpful.
- Dr. Les Parrot has a wonderful book called Helping the Struggling Adolescent which covers a variety of topics
- Marv Penner has written a book called Hope and Healing for Kids Who Cut.
- Dr. Archibald Hart has a book called The Anxiety Cure
- Rich Van Pelt and Jim Hancock have written two books that are helpful, A Parent’s Guide to Helping Teenagers in Crisis and The Youth Worker’s Guide to Helping Teenagers in Crisis
For churches in Southern Ontario, Canada, here is a resource that you can tap into.
- Shalem Mental Health Network at shalemnetwork.org/
And lastly, I will again post Brett Ullmans website where he shares some of his resources in this area brettullman.com/tag/mental-health/
This topic touched a nerve for many of us. Personally, professionally and certainly emotionally, we don’t have to look too far and find that we are connected to someone who is struggling.
If there is something you have found that has been helpful, maybe even given you strength during a specific time, a scripture text, a workshop, a particular book, any resources that you can share with us, I encourage you to do so, here in to comments section, or in an email to me.
- What has helped you walk with someone who is dealing with mental health?
- Perhaps you are someone who is going through some tough times? What has been helpful to you?
Let’s keep the conversation going…
