Mental Illness and Faith - How Can Clergy and Congregations Help? (Episode 44)

Send a Text to the Moms - please include your contact info if you want a response. thanks!When Mental Illness happens, it happens to the whole family. Do families turn to their houses of faith for help ? And if they do, what happens?We explore this in Episode 44-    with 3 moms, one Rabbi and one Pastor. It doesn’t cover all faiths, of course, but it’s a start.Guests: Rabbi Evan Schultz, Congregation B’Nai Israel, ConnecticutRev. Mariah Furness Tollgaard, PastorQuestions:Are you aware, as a faith leader, about mental health issues (especially SMI) in your congregants?What does your faith say about SMI?How do you, as a faith leader, respond to families dealing with mental illness?Is learning about Mental Illness part of your training?What part does stigma play in talking openly about SMI? - is it taboo to talk about it?How can we as activists/advocates help faith leaders serve their constituents?According to Research (lifeway.inc):Only a quarter of churches (27 percent) have a plan to assist families affected by mental illness according to pastors. And only 21 percent of family members are aware of a plan in their church.Few churches (14 percent) have a counselor skilled in mental illness on staff, or train leaders how to recognize mental illness (13 percent) according to pastors.Two-thirds of pastors (68 percent) say their church maintains a list of local mental health resources for church members. But few families (28 percent) are aware those resources exist.Family members (65 percent) and those with mental illness (59 percent) want their church to talk openly about mental illness, so the topic will not be a taboo. But 66 percent of pastors speak to their church once a year or less on the subject.Links:NAMI FaithNetGuide for Faith Leaders from psychiatry.orgYom Kippur Sermon re mental illnessWant us to cover a topic? comment to share?Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms@SZ3MomsTrenches -  twitterRandye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, “Happier Made Simple”)Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)  Support the showPlease share and support the podcast so we can reach more people who need the info and support.Want to know more?Join our facebook page  Our websites:Randye KayeMindy Greiling Miriam (Mimi) Feldman