Frazer Church will host a mental health summit titled Faith Meets Mental Health on May 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To register for the free event, visit www.frazer.church/mentalhealth. Lunch registrations are open until May 11.
The summit’s keynote speaker is Nate Stewart, founder of the Mental Health Pulpit.
Mental Health Pulpit began in early 2019 in response to what Stewart saw as specific challenges facing the church, including a lack of support and education in response to mental health needs.
“It was, and still is, my belief that the biggest barrier to mental health support within the church comes in the form of stigma,” he said. “For years, there have been common misconceptions about the causes, treatment, or even the existence of mental illness. Because of the stigma surrounding mental health, there are people everywhere suffering in silence, never getting the help they need because they don’t feel safe talking about it. Church should be a safe place where people can talk about anything.
Mental Health Pulpit works to help give a voice to those who are struggling, equips churches with the resources they need, and spreads the message that having a mental health struggle does not absolve someone of God’s love. .
Before Stewart’s keynote address, Alabama Mental Health Commissioner Kim Boswell will speak and Kay Warren of Saddleback Church will deliver a video message.
The afternoon will include five concurrent breakout sessions focusing on teens and parents; women and mental health; addiction and recovery; men and mental health; and a session focused on pastors and church leaders.
Hope City Riverside Counseling will be offering an afternoon presentation on Suicide Awareness.
Stewart and his wife Sherawn will close the summit by talking about the role of a caregiver.
Stewart said that in recent years many churches have begun to see the need to address mental health, but are often stuck at this stage because they don’t know where to start or don’t understand what should be. the role of the church in providing support.
Mental Health Pulpit helped provide a starting point for churches to begin the process.
“One of my favorite parts of this kind of event is community development. Faith leaders coming together to address the mental health crisis we face is incredibly beautiful. As someone who has struggled with my mental health for over 36 years, the hardest part has always been the isolation I have felt,” Stewart said. “Feeling alone is devastating. Churches are coming together to say that I am not alone, they see me and I matter both to God and to them…it is a message of hope.
Frazer’s director of communications, Kym Klass, said Frazer envisions several goals for the summit.
“Our summit will share messages of hope. It will provide us with tools on how to live with mental illness, care for someone with mental illness, and walk alongside those who are suffering,” Klass said.
Klass said teens and parents, pastors and church leaders, and those recovering from drug addiction would benefit from attending.
“We hope to rise from our summit as a community that steps outside our own walls and lives to let those who suffer know that we love without judgement. We believe that people crave community and know they have a place. where to turn and someone to turn to,” she said.