A Conversation for Those Standing at the Intersection of Faith and Mental Health |
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It Takes a Village…or at least a Church |
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As a pastor, I am grateful for my seminary education. Among other things, it provided me with a biblical foundation for ministry as well as practical insights into how to offer pastoral care to those within a congregation. I am also grateful for my Social Work education. It has been crucial in helping me walk alongside people who’ve been impacted by trauma and mental health struggles. There are many faith leaders and social workers who would say the same thing about the benefits of formal education for their ministries and careers. There’s only one problem: Pastors and Social Workers aren’t the only ones interacting with people in crisis.
All of us at one time or another will find ourselves relating to someone in a crisis, whether it be in the aftermath of a car accident, overdose, natural disaster or loss of a loved one. And in such moments, those experiencing emotional challenges tend to go to trusted family members and friends for support before clergy or professionals ever get involved. It is not only faith leaders but entire faith communities that need to be equipped to engage the needs all around us. When it comes to responding to the mental health crisis of our time, it takes a village…or at least a church. Given this reality, where are congregants to get equipped to support hurting people? Seminary courses and grad school classes are available and many take advantage of them. But given the high demands of time and money that come with formal education, other options must be made available to meet the need.
Enter Spiritual First Aid. Spiritual First Aid (SFA) is an evidence-informed, trauma-informed, and peer-to-peer (e.g., neighbor-to-neighbor) frontline spiritual and emotional care intervention and training program. Developed by Jamie Aten and Kent Annan of Wheaton College, this resource has served to help people of faith around the world to better support people in times of crisis. Intersect is now an official partner of SFA and is prepared to assist faith communities in receiving both online and in-person versions of this training. You can check out the available options in the Recommended Resources section of this newsletter. In addition to SFA, Intersect offers a variety of other training resources that can be found at www.accessservices.org/intersect.
There are several quality options inside and outside of Intersect for equipping people to love their neighbor well. One thing that isn’t optional, though, is preparing those in your faith community or organization to help those in crisis. The need is too great, and the stakes are too high to rely only on trained clergy and professionals. They certainly each have a role to play, but we must start by helping the very people who are being asked by their loved ones for help. |
Dave Eckert, Senior Director of Intersect |
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| Companions on the Journey: When Pastors and Churches Care for Caregivers Who May Attend? What Can I Expect? - Enjoy a delicious breakfast
- Engage in a thought-provoking presentation
- Gain new insights that will empower you in your role
Is There a Cost? - Free if you pre-register by May 9
- $20 the day of the event
How do I make a reservation? When: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Registration: 8:00AM; Seminar: 8:30AM – 12:00PM Where: Peter Becker Community Maplewood Estates Arbor Conference Center, 2nd Floor 815 Maplewood Drive Harleysville, PA 19438 |
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| Answering the Call: Creating Solutions for Homelessness
As homelessness rises and service coordination gaps persist, faith leaders and community connectors are eager to act but need tools to do so effectively. Through its Housing & Homeless Services and Intersect divisions, Access Services leaders would like to host a conversation with community and faith leaders to help amplify efforts and drive systems-level change for the unhoused. By empowering faith communities as catalysts for change, we hope to strengthen local capacity for coordinated, community-driven action!
Speakers include: Mark Boorse Dave Eckert Others to join
Cost: Free When: Friday, June 6, 2025, 9:00AM -1:00 PM Where:
Community Partners Center for Health and Human Services, Terrence Walton Room
2506 N. Broad Street
Colmar, PA 18915 |
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| Workshop Certificate Course Information:
The Spiritual First Aid Workshop is a one-day training that teaches frontline peer-to-peer spiritual and emotional care and trauma-informed best practices through our proven step-by-step BLESS CPR helping framework. Learn from our team in-person or through livestream. Contact Dave Eckert at deckert@accessservices.org to schedule an on-site or live virtual workshop for your group.
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| On-Demand Certificate Course Information:
The On-Demand Spiritual First Aid Certificate Course teaches frontline peer-to-peer spiritual and emotional care and trauma-informed best practices using our step-by-step BLESS CPR framework. Learn our proven helping approach whenever and wherever works best for you. |
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Looking for a way to help those in your community? |
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| Intersect Care Portal
The Intersect Care Portal recognizes the need that all individuals have to be, and feel, safe and secure. For a hearty quality of life, sometimes it is an item that brings safety or comfort. Over the past year, the Intersect Care Portal has been able to connect those we serve with a wheelchair, mattress, bike, kitchen chairs, loveseat, dresser, hanging rack with hangers for clothes, and a Bible to name a few. Most often, these items are donated by someone who wants their gently-used item to go to good use.
Driver's Needed!
While it is often possible to match the need with an available item, the challenge we often face is transporting the item from the donor to the recipient! If you or someone you know has a truck or a van and a little time, we would love to add you to a list of volunteers willing to help with loading and transporting donations.
Please contact Juli Apple at intersectneeds@accessservices.org if this is a way you would like to support the Intersect Care Portal!
Join the Care Portal to learn more about the needs of the people we serve at Access! |
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| Intersect Donation Page
Intersect now has their own donation page on the Access Services website. Any donations can be designated to specific aspects of Intersect. Funds will be used to: - Offer consultation to ministry leaders and mental health professionals
- Empower faith communities and mental health providers with trainings on faith and mental health
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Provide spiritual support and collaboration between faith communities and human service providers
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- As a faith leader, how are you currently equipping those in your congregation to support people in times of crisis? What additional resources would be helpful moving forward?
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As a parishioner, what do you need to learn more about to feel confident in walking alongside those dealing with a traumatic life situation? What training would be most helpful to where you’re at right now?
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Do you have something to contribute or a question to ask? |
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| Intersect is brought to you by: |
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