Creating space in which to break the stigma of mental illness, this webinar series with special guests emphasizes the intersectionalities of mental health, faith, and social action.

September 12, 2023

Background

According to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness):

• 22.8% (57.8 million people) or 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness in the U.S.
• 8.4% (21 million people) of adults had at least one major depressive episode in 2020 in the U.S.
• 16.5% (7.7 million people) or 1 in 6 youth (aged 6-17) experience a mental illness in the U.S.

Despite advances made in medication, therapy, and psychosocial support, depression and other mental illnesses remain stigmatized by much of society. And our churches and faith communities are no exception. Sadly, they are oftentimes the places where stigma towards mental health is most apparent. Conversations about fellow congregants struggling with mental health are whispered and just as quickly hushed away. Rarely do we hear about mental health from the pulpit or in bible studies. There is a pervasive misunderstanding that faith and mental health exist in separate silos–even though mental health is a critical part of holistic health.

The United Methodist Social Principles, paragraph 162 states, “No person deserves to be stigmatized because of mental illness…When stigma happens within the church, mentally ill persons and their families are further victimized. Persons with mental illness and their families have a right to be treated with respect on the basis of common humanity and accurate information. They also have a right and responsibility to obtain care appropriate to their condition. The United Methodist Church pledges to foster policies that promote compassion, advocate for access to care, and eradicate stigma within the Church and in communities.”

Overview

Church and Society invites you to participate in its 2023 Webinar Series, “Holding Sacred Space: Mental Health & Faith.”

The series is comprised of six webinars taking place throughout the month of October 2023 – to create space in which to break the stigma of mental illness by:

1. Learning about different intersectionalities of mental health
2. Acquiring tools to raise awareness in our local church settings
3. Growing our advocacy for mental health.

Registration

Registration is required for each webinar in the series.

For questions, please contact Aimee Hong (ahong@umcjustice.org), Senior Executive Director of Education and Engagement.

Mental Health & Faith

• Date & Time: October 11, 2023 (Wednesday) at 10:00AM-11:15AM Pacific | 7:00AM-8:15AM Hawai`i
• Speaker: Rev. Dr. Monica Coleman, John and Patricia Cochran – Scholar for Inclusive Excellence and Professor of Africana Studies and Director of Graduate Studies, University of Delaware
• Registration: Click / Tap Here

Mental Health & BIPOC communities

• Date & Time: October 12, 2023 (Thursday) at 10:00AM-11:15AM Pacific | 7:00AM-8:15AM Hawai`i
• Speaker: Dr. Sarah Y. Vinson, Triple Board-Certified Child & Adolescent, Adult and Forensic Psychiatrist, Founder of Lorio Psych Group and Lorio Forensics, co-editor of “Social (In)Justice and Mental Health”
• Registration: Click / Tap Here

Mental Health & Climate Change

• Date & Time: October 18, 2023 (Wednesday) at 10:00AM-11:15AM Pacific | 7:00AM-8:15AM Hawai`i
• Speakers: Janet Lewis, co-founder, Climate Psychiatry Alliance, Co-Chair, Climate Committee, Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry, and Sherwin Shabdar, medical student in psychiatry, and member of Climate Psychiatry Alliance
• Registration: Click / Tap Here

Mental Health & Gun Violence

• Date & Time: October 19, 2023 (Thursday) at 10:00AM-11:15AM Pacific | 7:00AM-8:15AM Hawai`i
• Speaker: Dr. Jeffrey W. Swanson, Professor in Psychiatry and Behavior Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine. Faculty affiliate of the Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law School, the Center for Firearms Law at Duke Law School, and the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke Sanford School of Public Policy.
• Registration: Click / Tap Here

Mental Health & Young People

• Date & Time: October 25, 2023 (Wednesday) at 10:00AM-11:15AM Pacific | 7:00AM-8:15AM Hawai`i
• Speaker: Caren Howard, Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy for Mental Health America
• Registration: Click / Tap Here

Mental Health & Tools for a Faithful Community

• Date & Time: October 26, 2023 (Thursday) at 10:00AM-11:15AM Pacific | 7:00AM-8:15AM Hawai`i
• Speaker: Dawn L. Brown, Director, Cross-Cultural Innovation & Engagement Task Force, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
• Registration: Click / Tap Here