A Conversation for Those Standing at the

Intersection of Faith and Mental Health

Partnering Amidst Polarization

Many are writing about the political and cultural polarization existing within our country. While acts of violence have been the most dangerous elements of this reality, it is certainly not the only way this polarization manifests itself. It can be seen through a lack of respectful dialogue or more tellingly, by the sheer absence of dialogue itself. At such a time, initiatives like Intersect are vital because they seek to foster the kind of collaboration that demands bringing people together for the sake of the common good of our communities. It is perhaps now more important than ever that we find ways to partner amidst polarization.

This Fall, Intersect has had several opportunities to emphasize the importance of such partnerships. Each month, we are continuing our Answering the Call Series that is forging partnerships between faith communities and human service providers for the sake of those who are homeless throughout our region. Check out the upcoming events section below for information about future gatherings.

Further, in September, we hosted Ben O’Dell and Tatiana Villa from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for a tour of Intersect and Access Services. O’Dell works as the Senior Advisor/Acting Director for the Center for Faith in Washington D.C.; an entity also referred to as The Partnership Center. He is a 

recognized expert on facilitating partnerships between faith-based, philanthropic, and community organizations and government at all levels. Similarly, Villa, in her role as the HHS Region 3 Director based out of Philadelphia, builds bridges between federal agencies, local governments, and community organizations. Strengthening these kinds of federal and local partnerships allows us to more effectively share information and serve the most vulnerable.

Finally, in October Intersect will be taking part in a retreat hosted by the One America Movement’s Matthew 5:9 Fellowship. The One America Movement partners with faith communities across religious, political, and racial divides to confront toxic polarization in our society. The Matthew 5:9 Fellowship, as a Christian subdivision of this movement, connects leaders grappling with division in the US and supports them to speak and act effectively to build a future in which all human beings are treated as image-bearers of God regardless of earthly divisions – in their churches, their communities, and beyond.

We hope you consider joining us as we move forward in finding ways to partner amidst polarization. Whether hosting a workshop, collaborating around a community level need, or becoming a funding partner, your support is needed now more than ever. By working together, we can make a true difference in our world and perhaps even discover some things we didn’t know about each other along the way.

Dave Eckert, Senior Director of Intersect

Upcoming Events

As homelessness rises and service coordination gaps persist, faith leaders and community connectors are eager to act but need tools to do so effectively. Leaders from our Housing & Homeless Services and Intersect network are hosting conversations 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!

Can't attend this event?

See our future monthly events!

It is common for faith communities to ask what they must do to start a mental health ministry in their congregation. While this desire is good, it can sometimes neglect the more foundational need for a broad-based culture of care. When a culture of respect, vulnerability and welcome permeates a faith community, specific ministry programs can be successful rather than stigmatizing. In this workshop, insight will be given around the tools for building such a culture within your faith community.

Course Objectives

• Discover the importance of crafting a cultural foundation as you build a mental health ministry.
• Gain tools for building a culture of care within your faith community for those with mental illness.
• Identify tools for doing outreach to those with mental illness in your broader community.

Saturday, October 25th, 2025

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Cost: Free

Where: 592 Washington Crossing Road, Newtown, PA US 18940

Recommended Resources

COPE: Community Outreach & Professional Engagement – a framework to bridge public mental health services with religious organizations

Over time, Intersect has developed partnerships with those working in the academy. One of our strongest partners in recent years is Dr. Glen Milstein. Dr. Milstein is an Associate Professor of Psychology at The City College of New York. He studies and implements an integrative lifespan-development and prevention-science based program of Community Outreach & Professional Engagement (COPE), which facilitates the de facto continuum of care between community clergy and mental health clinicians. COPE investigates responses to emotional distress and mental disorders by religious communities, as well as responses to religiosity by clinicians. His community-based participatory research includes people with lived experience and their families. Intersect’s Dave Eckert is one of the contributors to Dr. Milstein’s recently published article on the COPE framework below.

The Center for Faith (The Faith Center)

The Faith Center assists faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship in their efforts to strengthen families and enhance the health and well-being of all Americans.

Looking for a way to help those in your community?

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 message 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.

Supporters can designate their contributions to the following program provisions:

• Consultation to ministry leaders and mental health professionals.
• Community trainings on faith and mental health.
• Spiritual support and collaboration between faith communities and human service providers.

Questions to Ponder

1. What makes it hard for you to be in dialogue with those who see the world differently than you? What skills and support do you need to grow in this area?
   
2. What are issues in your community that you believe require more partnership to address? What would it take for you to partner?

Do you have something to contribute or a question to ask?

Intersect is brought to you by:

Access Services
500 W Office Center Drive, Suite 100 | Fort Washington, Pennsylvania 19034
215-540-2150, x1286    IntersectNetwork@accessservices.org