Ministry and the Mis-Wired Mind
  Mental Illness and Lay Pastoral Care
  June 23 and July 21, 2009

The two sessions of "Ministry and the Mis-Wired Mind" are open to the public. Register for one or both. Each session stands alone.

This is a great networking opportunity for BeFrienders, program leaders, and other pastoral care providers.

A blurb is available for you to announce it in your church bulletin or organization newsletter.

You can register online or print the registration form in PDF format.
  

Serious mental illnesses are diseases of the brain that cause disturbances in a person's thinking, feeling, moods, and ability to relate to others. They can diminish a person's capacity for coping with the regular demands of ordinary life and can place tremendous burdens on family members and loved ones.
 
According to the U.S. Center for Mental Health Services, more than 48 million Americans are suffering from a diagnosable mental illness, and 11 million are suffering from a severe mental illness. Persons with mental illnesses are our neighbors, our coworkers, our siblings, our friends. They are members of our churches and other faith communities.

Faith communities are in a unique position to combat stigma and provide a message of acceptance and hope. Proclaiming the values of respect for all persons and non-discrimination, faith communities can reach out to individuals and families affected by mental illness in many helpful ways. Sharing the message that all persons are worthy in the eyes of God, a faith community may be the only place where a person with a mental illness truly feels accepted, valued, and loved. For people who often find no other welcome in the larger community, being welcomed in a house of prayer can make a critical difference.

NAMI-MN (National Alliance on Mental Illness - Minnesota) is presenting two sessions on mental illness and how faith communities can be of support. 

Session 1: Understanding mental illness
June 23, 2009, 7 - 9 p.m.
  • Mental Illness 101
    • Mental illness and its causes
    • Types of mental illness
    • Symptoms
    • Treatments
    • Functionality
    • Stigma, misconceptions, and assumptions
  • Role of congregations
    • Creating openness and awareness
    • Inviting those with mental illness to be contribute to the life of the church
  • Personal viewpoint (panel)
    • A person with mental illness
    • Family members of a person with mental illness
 

Session 2: Caring ministry and mental illness

July 21, 2009, 7 - 9 p.m.
  • Befriending a person with mental illness
    • When is it appropriate?
    • Criteria for having a lay pastoral care minister
    • What to expect
    • Unique needs
    • Situations that call for atypical responses from a lay pastoral care minister
    • Boundaries
    • When to refer to professionals
  •  Befriending family and friends of someone with mental illness
  • Can people with mental illness serve as lay pastoral care ministers
     
  • Mental illness ministries in churches (panel)
    •

      

  
Location for both sessions
St. Michael Lutheran Church
9201 Normandale Boulevard
Bloomington, MN 55437

     

 
Presenters 
Presenters for "Ministry and the Mis-Wired Mind" are provided by NAMI-MN. Their FaithWays program serves as a resource to faith communities on programming designed to erase the stigma of mental illness.  FaithWays, in collaboration with other mental health organizations, provides technical assistance and customized educational forums and trainings.

 
Register online or print the registration form in PDF format to complete. Full payment is due at the time of registration. Registrations will not be taken by phone.
 
Individual rates  
  • $22 per person for Session 1 for individuals who register by June 15
  • $22 per person for Session 2 for individuals who register by July 13
  • $38 total per person for both sessions for individuals who register by June 15
  • $30 per person per session for registrations after the dates listed above.

Group rates

Group rates apply to a single session. For group rates, all registration forms and full payment must be sent together. Group members cannot be added after a registrant has been submitted. Payment is due at the time of registration.
  • $19 per person for any group of 4 or more for Session 1 if registered by June 15
  • $19 per person for any group of 4 or more for Session 2 if registered by July 13
  • Group rates do not apply after the dates listed above. No additional discounts for groups registering for both sessions.