Mental Health Ministry
In a Mental Health Crisis? Speak with someone now. Call or text 988 to access the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Available 24 hours in English and Spanish.
MENTAL HEALTH affects thought processes, relationships, productivity and the ability to adapt to changes in circumstances or cope with adversity. So does MENTAL ILLNESS.
Email mentalhealth@fpcsat.org or call 210-271-2708 for information regarding mental health resources and/or support groups. Volunteers are available to walk through this complex journey with you. There is help. There is hope.
Featured Partner: NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
Across the country, thousands of trained NAMI volunteers bring peer-led programs to a wide variety of community settings, from churches to schools to NAMI Affiliates. With the unique understanding of people with lived experience, these programs and support groups provide outstanding free education, skills training and support.
First Presbyterian has been one of those churches to partner with NAMI by way of hosting support groups for those suffering from the effects of mental illness. Our next series of classes at FPC will be late spring or during the summer.
Nami-sat.org has a comprehensive list of support groups and classes offered in our community.
The Mental Health Ministry at FPC is fortunate to have these options available in San Antonio to refer those suffering from mental illness to resources that provide help and hope.
DEFINITION OF MENTAL ILLNESS
Mental illness can be defined as a disorder of the brain resulting in the disruption of a person’s thoughts, feelings, moods, and ability to relate to others that is severe enough to require treatment or intervention.
FACTS
• One in four families has at least one member with a mental health disorder.
• One half of all chronic mental illness begins by age 14; three quarters by age 24.
• Approximately 60 % of adults and almost one-half of youth ages 8-15 with a mental illness received no mental health services in the previous year. Long delays—sometimes decades long—often occur between the time symptoms first appear and when people get help.
• Stigma is the number one reason people living with a mental illness do not seek help.
• Individuals experiencing psychological distress are more likely to seek help from clergy before any other professional group.
• Individuals with significant psychological distress often seek assistance from the church or from a friend for issues that are the result of their disorder unaware that they even have a disorder (e.g., relationship problems, parenting issues and financial troubles).
• Approximately 80 % of people suffering from a mental illness can experience recovery and lead productive lives with some combination of treatment, therapy and support.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
• Educate ourselves about mental illness and eliminate the stigma.
• When someone shares they are struggling with mental health issues, either for themselves or for a family member, listen with compassion and without judgement.
• Refer families and individuals dealing with mental health issues to available resources listed on the other side of this insert.
• Pray for families and individuals who deal with mental illness. Extend ourselves by asking how they are doing, sending a note or making a phone call.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
Call or text 988
• Counseling Assistance Medical Diagnosis/Psychiatry Legal Help
(Contact Rev. Scott Simpson/FPC Pastoral Care at scotts@fpcsat.org)
• NAMI San Antonio:
Improving the quality of life for all people affected by mental illness by providing support, education, referral sources.
(www.nami-sat.org)
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
(www.nami.org)
• Mental Health U App (free):
- Mental Health and You.
- Signs and Symptoms
- Community Resources
• Clarity Child Guidance Center:
Healing Young Minds and Hearts.
(www.claritycgc.org)
- Evaluation and Treatment for children and adolescents
• Mental Health Grace Alliance:
There is Hope.
(www.mentalhealthgracealliance.org)
- Mental Recovery and Mental Wellness
- Community Life and Community Impact
- Restorative Compassion and Restorative Care
• Housing:
- Family Endeavor (www.familyendeavors.org)
- San Antonio Housing Authority (www.saha.org)
• The San Antonio Clubhouse:
Recovering Lives. Living, learning and working in a community of mutual support.
(www.saclubhouse.org)
