1. California Mental Health and Spirituality Initative Gigi, L.E. FaithNet Chair NAMI Contra Costa County NAMI Multi-Cultural Symposium 8/25/2016 “Building M ental H ealth F riendly C ommunities”

2. The Faith Center: A Caring Community Alameda and Contra Costa County Champions for Mental Health and Faith

3. Interfaith Learning Agreement  Respect: Respect for others’ beliefs.  Engage respectfully: Each of us agrees to fully listen to the other for the entire content and will receive the same acknowledgement from others.  Enjoy: Enjoy the gifts of our religious and spiritual diversity.  Share Equal Participation :This means checking in with others who are more silent; more importantly, to check in with ourselves.  Strive to be “PC” : Rather than remain safe and “politically correct” it is okay to stretch oneself and engage in a more meaningful understanding of what it means to be PC: Personally Compassionate (Mock, 2005)  Participate with Mindfulness Being deeply aware of what is going on within us and around us through our hearts, minds, bodies, spirits and souls. We shall each strive to be genuine and authentic during our time together. We will strive to be aware of “intention” and resulting “consequences.  ”Provide amnesty and forgiveness : In order to repair or correct misinformation there must be opportunities to acknowledge mistakes, faulty assumptions and actions which may be unintentionally painful to other.  Engage in dialogue Versus debate : We shall each work to listen to and encourage all perspectives and ideas. We will work in partnership without having to determine who is right or wrong, the winner or loser and without proselytizing.  Confidentiality: Information shared in the room stays within the room and learning session. We can share general learning with others but not specific comments that will violate the privacy of others.  Transformation: We will allow ourselves to be transformed by our interactions and the sharing of our stories.

4. The Faith Community: Catalyst For Change  The Faith Community has a long standing history of being the catalyst for social change  Faith and Spiritual Leaders have an incredible power to deliver messages of hope to the marginalized and disenfranchised  Consumers of mental health services and their family members often first look to the faith and spiritual community and its leadership in times of distress for support

5. California Mental Health and Spirituality Survey Results -2010  California Behavioral Health Directors  More than 90% of the County Behavioral Health Directors responded “strongly agree” or “agree” that:  “Spirituality is an important recovery resource in mental health treatment.” (92%)  “Spirituality is an important wellness resource in mental health prevention.” (94%)  “Spirituality is an important element of multicultural competency for mental health providers.” (98%)  88% of the African American consumers and family members embrace their faith as an essential wellness tool.  (California Mental Health and Spirituality Initative) currently housed at CIBHS – www.mhspirit.org

6. Consumers and Family Member Survey  Over 2600 respondents  77% of mental health consumers and family members across California report that spirituality is important to them.  72% report that they believe it is appropriate for the public mental health system to address spirituality as a part of mental health care.  89% reported that they regularly used prayer as a wellness tool

7. Building Mental Health Friendly Communities in Partnership with NAMI Affiliates  MHFC is a culturally responsive community defined strategy designed to:  Address health disparities associated with mental illness and reduce mental health stigma and discrimination  Replace misinformation about mental health  Reduce stigmatizing messages that create barriers to wellness  Support wellness for individuals and families living with mental health concerns  Help faith communities become resources for the community

8. Faith Communities and Mental Health  Faith Leaders need to be trained and equipped with tools to recognize how to effectively support people and families living with mental health concerns.  The birth of Mental Health Friendly Communities for African American community for the Each Mind Matters SDR Campaign  Alameda County African American Utilization Study Report  MH101, S101, ABOTW, Keepers of the Flock and “I’m A Winner,”

9. Goals and Recommendations Winter 2011 African American Utilization Report

10. Becoming a Mental Health Friendly Community  To become a “Mental-Health Friendly Community,” participating county must collaborate with diverse faith and spiritual communities and complete distinct training modules  Nurture and cultivate a relationship with the local NAMI Affiliate  Commit to following the Ten Commitments to being a Mental Health Friendly Faith Community

11. MHFC TEN COMMITMENTS  The Faith/Spiritual Leaders, and members of  (Name of Faith Community Here)  Commit to our members and community to…  Commit To Eliminating Mental Health Stigma, Discrimination And Improving Outcomes For Consumers And Family Members Of Our Community  Develop A Mental Health Ministry  Host Regular Mental Wellness Fireside Chats For Our Members And Community  Host An Annual Mental Wellness Training Event  Will Recognize And Promote The National Week of Prayer For Mental Wellness The First Full Week Of October and the Day of Prayer that Tuesday  Will Recognize And Promote Mental Wellness Awareness Month (May)  Utilize Mental Wellness Friendly, (People First) Language In Our Teaching, Preaching And Ministries,  Will Dedicate At Least Two Messages Annually To Mental Wellness  Foster, Cultivate And Develop Collaborative Relationships With Local Like Minded Organizations Committed To Promoting Mental Wellness  Will Incorporate Mental Wellness Training In Church Wide Events, Health Fairs, Retreats And Workshops etc.

12. TrainingAudienceTraining Description Mental Health 101Pastors/ Clergy/Imams/Rabbi s/ Ministers/Faith Leadership and staff Broadens the competency of faith leaders as first responders to mental health crises, and inspires leaders to create welcoming communities for individuals and families living with mental health challenges. Corrects misinformation and educates faith/spiritual leaders to recognize signs and symptoms and provide better support for those with mental health concerns. Spirituality 101Mental Health Service Providers Builds understanding among mental health and allied health professionals of the important role of faith in mental health care for consumers and families. Focuses on how and why to include faith as a resource for wellness, recovery and multicultural competency. Also facilitates development of a provider network to partner with the faith community/church in addressing specific needs of diverse ethnic and cultural communities. Keepers of the Flock Pastors/clergy, mental health service providers consumers, family members, community stakeholders Incorporates appropriate elements of all trainings to provide a rationale for the need to support and respect the individual choice to include faith/spirituality/mindfulness in wellness and recovery planning. This training serves to provide context for any community caregiver committed to effectively supporting the wellness recovery journey of those living with mental health issues. A Bridge Over Troubled Waters (can be adapted for all faith and cultural communities) CBOs/ Providers/ Faith/Spiritual Centers/ Wellness Centers Provides a historical perspective of the role that faith fulfills within the experience of targeted communities. This training provides perspective as to why the roots of faith/spirituality and mindfulness practices run so deep within specific communities and has been identified as a source of healing; instrumental in maintaining personal and community mental wellness.

13. Becoming a Mental Health Friendly Faith Community  Create a committed team of Faith Leaders and members including consumers, family members and church identified mental wellness allies to oversee program implementation and ongoing practices to improve outcomes for consumers and family members

14. In closing; I believe… "The most important evidence based practice is "LOVE" the most often successful is “PRAYER!" Gigi R. Crowder (2013)