Creating Community Connections for Mental Health
Faith and spirituality can be a very helpful component of someone’s recovery from mental illness. People experiencing a mental health condition may often turn first to a trusted faith leader for support. There are many ways that faith leaders, just like you, can be welcoming and inclusive to the 1 in 5 people who are impacted by a mental health condition. This online toolkit connects faith leaders to resources that will help you:
- Gain Better Knowledge and Understanding of Mental Health Conditions
- Learn What Actions You Can Take to Create an Informed, Inclusive and Supportive Environment
- Connect Individuals and Families to Help and Support
Gain Better Knowledge and Understanding of Mental Health Conditions
A lack of knowledge and understanding about mental health (i.e., stigma) continues to be a barrier for many people seeking help and support. We encourage faith leaders to learn more about mental health conditions, including their signs and symptoms.
- NAMI’s Fact Sheet Library
Fact sheets and infographics with clear, concise information about the prevalence and impact of mental illness.
- Quick Reference on Mental Health for Faith Leaders
A 2-page reference guide to understand the prevalence and signs and symptoms of behavioral health conditions, in addition to communication tools.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Behavioral Health Barometer
A national report providing a snapshot of behavioral health, including youth behavioral health, and mental health and substance use treatment.
Learn What Actions You Can Take to Create an Informed, Inclusive, and Supportive Environment
People living with mental illness can often feel isolated and alone. Faith communities can provide space that is safe, familiar, and comfortable. Here are three action areas to create a more informed, inclusive and supportive environment in your faith community for people living with mental health conditions and their families.
- Educate Your Leaders and Congregation
- Provide Support to Your Congregation and Community
- Offer shared space that is safe and familiar for people to interact
- Share information about upcoming NAMI education classes and support groups or host a program.
- Incorporate conversations about mental health within your community’s worship service and meetings with members of your faith organization.
- Raise Awareness and Advocate
- Join NAMIWalks Maryland to promote community awareness.
- Host a community health fair or information session.
- Be informed on how legislation impacts services for mental health conditions:
- Participate in NAMI Maryland Advocacy Day.
- Contact Your Legislator: Find your state and national legislative representatives.
- NAMI FaithNet
An interfaith resource network to encourage welcoming, caring, and inclusive faith communities.
- Mental Health: A Guide for Faith Leaders
A guide from the American Psychiatric Association provides an overview of mental health, treatment options, and the role of faith leaders in offering support.
- Becoming a Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged Congregation for Mental Health
A checklist from the Interfaith Network on Mental Illness with steps faith leaders can take to foster healing and recovery in their congregations.
- 10 Things Faith Community Leaders Can Do to Make The World a Better Place for People with Mental Illness
Tips and practical suggestions for providing support to a congregation member living with mental health condition, as well as ways to engage the faith community.
Connect Individuals and Families to Help and Support
As a faith leader, you may need to refer a community member to professional clinical care or other supportive services. Talk with the individual or a family member to understand what would be most helpful.
If the individual is experiencing a crisis or is in immediate danger, call 911 or crisis response.
- NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore HelpLine: (410) 435-2600
Available Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Provides information on NAMI’s education and support programs, as well as referrals to supportive services in Baltimore.
- Baltimore Crisis, Information, and Referral Line: (410) 433-5175
24-hour helpline providing crisis intervention, mental health and substance use treatment referrals, and overdose prevention resources.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-TALK (8255)
24-hour, confidential suicide prevention hotline provides emotional support and referrals to mental health services in your area.
- 2-1-1 Maryland
24-hour, confidential service connecting individuals to essential services, including health, housing and food.
- HealthCare Access Maryland: (877) 223-5201
Navigators help with enrollment in health insurance plans in addition to providing connections to behavioral health and recovery services.
- Called to Care : (410) 550-8018
Education and support services for family caregivers. A program of Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.