She had been incarcerated for 8 years for possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, which she used to self-medicate before being incarcerated. She had been able to function for five years after incarceration because she chose to get appropriate treatment, had a safe and secure environment where people understood her, was able to work and support herself, and had a community that reminded her to take her medication and care for herself.

Things changed when the owner of the restaurant where she worked sold the business and her family quit visiting. After losing her job, she quit taking her medication, in part because she had nobody to reassure her that it was what she needed, it was safe, and it was helping her function. She withdrew from others and isolated herself in her house because it felt safe, but there was nobody there to gently challenge her delusions. She had nobody to check on her or support her.

LET’S TALK: So, what can we learn from her story? How do we as individuals, and as a congregation, walk with people in similar circumstances? Let us consider having conversations about these following three questions:

What is our motivation — to walk lovingly with all people who we encounter or to avoid situations that make us feel uncomfortable? In thinking about our motivation, there are several other questions from which we can benefit by answering honestly:

• Can we be accepting, caring, and supportive of people with mental health challenges?
• Would we have this woman in our homes for dinner?
• What would we talk to her about?
• Do we recognize the deep need for community in all of us and care for each other in all of our struggles?
• Can we offer the such care and understanding to others who are struggling with their mental health the way we hope others would respond to us?
• Can we partner with, rather than preach to, those in need?
• Can we acknowledge that most of us have or will experience some mental health challenge(s) in our lifetimes, either by having them ourselves or by being close to friends or family who are directly impacted?
• Can we recognize that we often need help from both the medical community and a supportive community to recover from or manage our health situations.

Do we have skills that can be used in supporting people with mental health challenges? We can support those who are navigating mental health journeys in many ways. We can befriend them, contribute to organizations that support them, or raise awareness of the needs of people with mental health challenges in our family and or community?

• Do we as individuals and as a congregation have skills in reaching out and inviting others in ways that will help build community for people living with mental challenges in our church?
• If not, are we able and willing to learn?
• Could we offer financial or other beneficial resources?
• Do we have political connections that we can use to advocate for the needs of those navigating mental health challenges?

What is the need and what is our bandwidth? As with other projects to meet community needs, the needs of those struggling with mental health challenges far outstrips resources. It is important for us to decide what we can realistically do for people in need of mental health care and support. The reality is that we need to prioritize based upon our available resources. At the same time, as we learned in a recent Bible study, things as small as a mustard seed can grow into significant shrubs, providing shelter for all. Any sharing: of time; of prayer; of political influence; or
of our personal story is a contribution toward better mental health for all of us.

If you, or someone you know, are interested in getting involved in any way your time and energy allows, contact:

• NAMI at nami.org/Advocacy/Policy | 210-734-3349 EXT 102 OR
• Contact members of the Beautiful Minds Coalition at BeautifulMinds@covenantcares.org

“Blessed are the peacemakers because they shall be called children of God.” — Matthew 5:9

By Beautiful Minds Coalition: A Mental Health Ministry