Tanya
Forum Replies Created
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Mary, that sounds like a solid plan. It is always best to start closer to home per say and build a network that way. Of course, it is best to have a conversation with those individuals / networks to see if they have the bandwidth to take on new referrals. I would also encourage you to look around the Mischer Behavioral Health Resource Center page and see what other providers and resources are available there as well.
This past May, I hosted Joy Draper on our monthly Mental Health Coach Call. Ms. Draper is the Clinical Director of the Hope and Healing Center & Institute and she oversees The Hope Line. This Coach Call provided a lot of insight in how to best use The Hope Line as a referral source and all of the referrals provided. I think this would be a great webinar for you to watch as you work to build your referral network. I look forward to hearing all of the great things you will accomplish as a Mental Health Coach.
https://learn.gthu.org/courses/mental-health-coach-call-may-coach-call/
learn.gthu.org
Mental Health Coach Call: May Coach Call - GTHU
During this Mental Health Coach Call, we’ll host a live Q&A to walk Mental Health Coaches through the resources available to them via The Hope Line and how to leverage these tools to enhance their coaching journey. What you'll learn: … Continue reading
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Ashley, does your church currently have a Mental Health Ministry? I think leading peer support groups is a great 1st step in raising mental health awareness within your church. The Transformed workbooks provided in the Mental Health Coach training are a great resource with an easy to follow format.
If you would like additional information on support groups, check out this training on how to use the Transformed workbooks in a support group setting.
learn.gthu.org
Introduction to Support Group Training Many people find peer support a helpful tool that can aid in their recovery. Support groups are offered as a safe space where individuals can come together to share their stories, experiences, and lives in … Continue reading
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Jennifer, sharing your story is a powerful way to break stigma but some people may be reluctant to share their story right off the bat. What methods or techniques could you use to encourage individuals to open up and share their stories?
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Norma is this so true. Our job is not to fix people or have all the answers. Our job as a Mental Health Coach is to listen with compassion, provide them with resources and tools to make the best decision for them, and to help them restore their identity in Christ and the community.
I hope that the resources provided in the MHC training allows you to better assist your clients and walk these pregnant women through life’s challenges. I look forward to hearing about all the positive impact your training as a Mental Health Coach will have on the community you serve. Thank you for taking the step to bridging the gap in the mental health community.
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Scott I agree. So often, those struggling with mental health distress are misunderstood or criticized by those closest to them. I think we as a society need to do better and learn how to properly relate to individuals struggling with mental health distress. Jesus taught us in the bible how to treat people with empathy and compassion but it is one of the hardest things to do. Over time, we get better at it but do not be discouraged if in the beginning of your Mental Health Coach journey you don’t always get it right. Take a breath, remember your training, and never be afraid to ask another Mental Health Coach for help in working with an individual that you are struggling to connect with.
I also loved how you said to pray and offer spiritual encouragement without pressuring them. This is key. Even though you may be working with a faith based organization, not every one that walks through those doors may have the same faith, level of faith, or be in a place to accept that type of support. I know that in my time as MHC, I have said, “It’s ok if you don’t want us to pray right now. I will add you to my prayers and we can discuss this at a later date when you are ready to do so.” In my experience, many individuals were accepting of the prayers just not being forced to participate in the moment.
I look forward to hearing about all the positive impact your training as a Mental Health Coach will have on the community you serve. Thank you for taking the step to bridging the gap in the mental health community.
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Good afternoon Karen. Your final project did not come through. Can you please submit your final project as a response below? Thank you.
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Thank you Barbara for the years of service you have dedicated to pregnant women and their struggles. Pregnancy is such a beautiful time in a woman’s life but you are right, it comes with a lot of emotions, pressures, and outside struggles. As a Mental Health Coach, I hope that you are better equipped to assess your one-on-one sessions and compassionately guide the conversations to a place of healing and acceptance. It is vital to understand where our knowledge ends as Mental Health Coach and when a licensed professional is best suited.
In my experience and years as a Mental Health Coach, I believe in transparency. I have told individuals, “I believe the best way that I can help you going forward is to bring in or put you in contact with this individual (referral source) who can help you with this situation going forward. We can continue to meet until you get comfortable with them or if you are comfortable with us ending our coaching here, then we can do that. Whatever works for you.” Taking this approach allows the individual to feel in control of the transition as well as supported in whatever decision they make.
I look forward to hearing about all the positive impact your training as a Mental Health Coach will have on the community you serve. Thank you for taking the step to bridging the gap in the mental health community.
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Ending the stigma is something Jesus himself came to do. If you look at the Transformed workbooks, you will find bible based scenarios in which Jesus helped those afflicted with mental health issues through love and compassion. I think using these bible based scenarios will be a great starting point for you and your church to use, as you build your mental health ministry.
Another great resource is Dr. Matthew Stanford’s book, Madness & Grace. This book talks about the mental health industry, the historical impact the church has had on bridging the gap in the mental health community, and developing a mental health ministry in your organization. There are also some great success stories that may help change the minds of those doubting the need for such a ministry in your church. I look forward to hearing all of the great things your church is going to do in the mental health community.
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JJ, I like this method. I agree that many individuals come to a pastor or organization because they have some level of comfort with them. The initial thought that they would have to be referred to someone else can create some level of anxiety that would make the individual hesitant to accept the referral. Understanding this and having a plan for it can make the process less stressful for both sides.
As we all know, mental health care providers are in short supply with long waitlists. Having a list of community providers that can provide interim care or services is something to consider. The Hope Line makes it a point to provide at least 3 different referral options to help with this issue. The Hope Line itself can be used as a resource to talk it out for 30 minute sessions if needed. The Hope Line is available 365 days a year from 5 pm – 8 pm CST at 832-831-7337.
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Grace, these are some excellent grounding techniques that work quite well. I often tell those that I am mentoring or coaching, not every technique is going to work on every individual. It is important to have a variety of tools and resource available. Don’t get frustrated if you have to try a couple of techniques before you can get the client to re-focus and calmly share their thoughts and emotions. As you begin your MHC journey, these tools are highly effective but I look forward to hearing what new tools and techniques you develop along that way. Sharing our experiences makes us better MHCs. Thank you for taking the 1st step to bridging the gap in the mental health community.
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Stephen, this is a great plan. I think you should consider incorporating use of GTHU’s free Empower training as a tool and resource to those who will be working with you or those who will be part of the individual’s support system. Empower gives a basic understanding of what mental health distress looks like and how to respond compassionately.
In the Transformed materials provided in your training, there are several scenarios for you to use in your mental health campaigns. Creating an atmosphere of compassion and understanding is so important. You are on the right track to making a difference in the mental health community. I look forward to hearing all of the wonderful things your organization will do in bridging the gap in the mental health community.
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Thank you William for your service to your community and your congregation. There are so many times that people just want to be heard and their feelings validated. We live in a world that wants to argue their point that we have failed to validate each other’s thoughts or feelings. This doesn’t mean that we have to agree with them or their beliefs but rather understand that they may have perceived things in that way. Once we do that, we can usually work towards a resolution that helps the individual move forward.
Silence and patiently waiting are hard to do in a world of instant gratification. I agree that we must sit in silence sometimes to hear God, workout our own thoughts, or process the information in front of us. I myself sometimes struggle in sitting still long enough to put this into practice. When I do manage to actively sit in silence, I find that clarity and the next steps seem much more rewarding than rushing to a decision or judgment.
When I host groups or talk one-on-one with individuals, I often go over the rules of the session. One of the rules we use it that we allow time for silence or pauses. I believe that this is an important rule to go over so that individuals who are not used to this method, do not feel neglected or unheard. An explanation that we allow time for silence so that the holy spirit can reveal things that need to be discussed or shared can have the space to do so helps individuals get used to the idea of silence as a positive thing. I have also found that silence allows for those who usually don’t share, will speak up once those more comfortable sharing stop talking.
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Chris, first I must agree with you that God has definitely placed in you in the right place to be an asset to this organization and your community. Thank you for being willing to bridge the mental health gap in your community.
Your outline is very well thought out. It covers both the Mental Health Ministry evaluation process as well as an implementation process. Using Empower Faith Communities is a valuable tool to unite your organization in understanding mental health distress. I believe you will find that the need is great and as your organization begins to open the door to individuals in mental health distress, your 5 Mental Health Coaches will have plenty to do.
Building a referral network can take time. As you begin this process, make sure to check out our Mischer Behavioral Health Resource Center page for additional resources, providers, and local organizations in your area. I think that will be a valuable tool for your organization. https://gthu.org/mischer-behavioral-health/
ReImagine Groups are a needed resource in our community. I look forward to hearing all of the great success stories that will come from your hard work and dedication to the community. If I can be of help in any way, please let me know.
gthu.org
Mischer Behavioral Health Resource Center: Support & Tools
Discover resources to overcome behavioral health challenges and addiction. Chat with Grace, our friendly AI assistant, for personalized support and information.
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Paul,
I absolute love your heart and the mission of your organization. It seems as if your faith community already has some great ministries in place to tend the soul and mental health coaching will be a great asset to your ministry. I love how you said that any one of these ministries can serve as an entry point. That is so true. Many people come to our faith communities through our outreaches and not our Sunday services. May I encourage you and your organization to also take the free Empower Faith Communities training. While not everyone will serve as a mental health coach, having a basic understanding of mental health distress is a great resource for all your staff/team to have. I look forward to hearing all the great testimonials that will come from this addition to your ministry. Have a blessed day and please let me know how I may of service to you if the need arises.
Tanya Melendez
GTHU Community Education Manager
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Thank you for sharing! A simple act of kindness can make all the difference in someone’s day. Let’s encourage each other and those around us to be the difference makers in our communities.
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