1. Reaching out to Faith Communities
Part II: Opening the Door

2. NAMI Beginnings

3. Faith Communities Give Hope

4. Spiritual Questions & Concerns
Where is God in this?
Why do bad things happen to good people?
How can my faith help me heal?
What now? Is there meaning and purpose for my life? Where do I belong?

5. Social Isolation 5

6. Finding Recovery
Spiritual estrangement can also be part of the experience
Spiritual support can play a significant role in the recovery process¹

7. Responding to a Hospitalization
When someone in your community is in the hospital due to their mental health condition , here are some things you can do to support them:
Visits in the hospital
Notes and cards
Bringing a meal
Prayers
Support for their treatment
A ‘welcome back’

8. Spiritual Connection

9. Caregiving Learn to recognize and accept
Assist in finding the help needed
Support treatment and recovery
Attend to the person’s basic needs 9

10. Spiritual Support Create a safe place Offer the gift of presence
Listen and share the journey
Hold them in thought and prayer

11. Providing Care to the Family
Reach out and be a friend
Learn about the unique impact on each family
Create a supportive network or group
Learn what is helpful and hurtful to do or say
Provide community resource referrals 11

12. Giving Support

13. Other Family Ministry Ideas
Create a care team
Send cards or meals to a family member
Offer to mow the lawn or trim the bushes
Offer to baby sit
Invite the family to sit with you at church services and events

14. Preparing for Dialogue

15. Create a Lead-in Statement
When introducing yourself: “I’m a volunteer for NAMI, a local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Have you heard of it?”
“Did you know that one in five adults experiences a mental illness during their lifetime, but that stigma and misinformation are still major barriers to treatment?”
“Our family has been touched by mental illness, but we found help and hope through NAMI’s education and support programs. May I tell you about it?”

16. Encouraging the Conversation
How can NAMI help this faith community open its doors to individuals and families who face mental health challenges?
How can this faith community increase its capacity to support healing and recovery?
What resources are available to develop a mental health ministry or support effort?

17. Faith and Mental Illness
NAMI has members from many different faith backgrounds
NAMI welcomes individuals and families from all walks of life and spiritual traditions
A person’s faith can be an important part of their healing and recovery
I can say a word or two about my experience with mental illness and spirituality

18. Awareness Events May: Mental Health Month
July: Minority Mental Health Month
September: Suicide Prevention Month
First week of October: Mental Illness Awareness Week

19. Awareness Events Ideas
Write an article
Compose a poem or prayer to be used in a service
Schedule a mental health speaker
Form a team for a local NAMI Walk
Download our Say It Out Loud toolkit for young adults
Pledge to be Stigmafree

20. Advocacy Opportunities

21. Resource Notebook Local NAMI Affiliate Brochure NAMI FaithNet Brochure
Brief Referral List
Fact Sheet or Illness Brochure(s)
Multi-Faith Mental Health Ministry Links

22. Sample Contact Report
Faith Group: (name, address, phone, /website)
Conversation Partner(s): (name, address, phone, )
Interests Observed: (specific topics, suggested ways to follow-up)
Follow up: (documents sent, , calls, plans, visits)

23. What to do when no one will listen?

24. Connect Clergy Encourage faith leaders to talk with other clergy
Invite clergy and congregational leaders to participate in a NAMI event or Walk
Sponsor a Clergy Luncheon
Speak to a Ministerial Association
Ask your congregational leader to attend a NAMI education or support program

25. Who Wants to Speak Up?

26. Questions or Comments? Thank you for taking the three minute survey
and register your feedback. 26