Every day we hear or read about the increase of mental health needs in our nation. Parents have talked openly about the effect that the pandemic and widespread social media uses by their children have impacted their mental well-being. Co-workers have discussed the pressures of returning to the office after months working from their homes.
Last month a word web in my community’s newsletter focused around the word gratitude. Recently, a Philadelphia newspaper article reported that being thankful is important for both our relationships and overall health. Studies are finding that consciously recognizing things that we are grateful for and connecting each of them to something outside ourselves, such as another person or a beloved pet or God increases well-being and decreases loneliness.
From its inception Stephen Ministry has emphasized the importance of recognizing mental health issues in congregations and the community. Stephen Ministry is able to be helpful because it focuses on one trusted lay-minister talking confidentially with one other person. Stephen Ministers are trained to give emotional and spiritual support based upon God’s unconditional love. When a hurting person’s needs extend beyond the boundaries of Stephen Ministry, the Stephen Ministry Team is confident in recommending a trained professional. Sometimes the care receiver needs a level of care and type of skills not in the Stephen Ministry training.
Dr. Kenneth Haugk, founder of Stephen Ministry, a Lutheran minister, and a clinical psychologist, recently up-dated When and How To Use Mental Health Resources as a study guide for the new training materials. He posits that the Stephen Minister’s role fits in well with other kinds of caregivers. He describes how a. Friends and family give informal care, b. Small groups give group support, c. Stephen Ministers give one-on-one, ongoing Christ-centered care and support. They instill a sense of hope in their care receivers and help them recognize that they are not alone. d. Pastors give pastoral care, and e. Mental health professionals give emotional and psychological care.
The Stephen Ministry Team is trained to recognize when a person is experiencing a mental health crisis and is confident in suggesting to the care receiver that a professional’s involvement would be beneficial.
If you or someone you know could be helped by a Stephen Ministry caring relationship, talk to Pastor Trozzo or Sue Kuhn, Referrals Coordinator.
Sue Kuhn, Stephen Leader