May 16, 2024 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Discussion Group
Good Afternoon Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I am grateful to Brian for suggesting the topic for our conversation tomorrow. It reminds me of God’s call to St. James’ for the Mental Health Ministry. Since 2018, our mission for the ministry has been to help reduce the silence and stigma that surrounds mental illness and increase compassionate awareness and accurate understanding of it. In the attached short CBS interview, we hear Patrick J. Kennedy who struggles with Bi-polar and his efforts to reduce the persistent stigma leading to silence and shame around mental health problems. Yes, it takes real courage to talk about family and personal problems. As you watch this short interview, please think about what you would like to have done differently as you encountered people with mental illness, including your loved ones.
Please try to watch this video before our meeting, just in case I am not able to to share screen.
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/patrick-j-kennedy-works-to-reduce-stigma-around-mental-health-substance-use-with-new-book/
Our warm-up question for this week:
What is the hardest thing you have ever done? What was the motivation behind that?
See all of you who can make it tomorrow,
Sampson
May 8, 2024 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Discussion Group
Hello everyone.
This Thursday, at Stronger Together, I would like to suggest that we begin with a discussion question: “Describe a time when you remember feeling relaxed or at peace.”
Then for the mental health discussion, I would like to facilitate us talking about “Mental Health Days,” using this brief news article about a school district in central Texas as a starting point.
Remember that you are loved, and we hope to see you on Thursday evening. You are not alone; we are stronger together.
In Christ,
May 1, 2024 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Discussion Group
Hello Stronger Together Group,
I know when things don’t go my way I can start ruminating about them, and it can be challenging get out of that place even if I know I am doing it. The short video below is about all of that. We will have to get past the short advertising by the presenter for her other products and we are not endorsing them here:)
Here is the link to the video: Two Things You Can Do To Stop Ruminating
Idea for a warmup question:Â What is your favorite time of the day, and why?
See you all tomorrow, Thursday, at 7pm. Stay cool!
Dee
Apr 25, 2024 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Discussion Group
Hello good people of God.
Tomorrow evening, we will join together for another session of Stronger Together.
The opening ice-breaker question that we will discuss is, “What is a song that makes you feel like dancing?”
We will then discuss this short article and its implications for our well-being, society’s well-being, and what we are about at church with the Mental Health Ministries:
Prescribing Happiness.
Remember: God loves you and we love you, and we will be delighted to see you tomorrow. You are not alone; we are stronger together.
In Christ,
James
(The Rev. James Isaacs, Assistant Rector)
Apr 16, 2024 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Discussion Group
Good morning Stronger Together Group,
We are starting the new format of rotating leaders for the Thursday evening Stronger Together discussion, and I am the first one! Below is the new link we will be using, and you will need to enter the Passcode 11815 to enter the meeting.
This week we will look at a video about homelessness and mental health and how the two intersect. Here is the video we will discuss if you want to view it before the meeting.
Warmup question: How do we feel about Alex leaving leadership with Stronger Together?
See you Thursday.
Dee
Apr 10, 2024 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Discussion Group
Whether you’re the type of person who considers themselves easily angered, or the type of person who rarely feels angry, as a human being you do experience anger and there are good reasons why. We’re often taught, however, that “being angry” is bad, which can make us feel conflicted or shameful when we inevitably experience these powerful emotions.
This week we’re going to learn some practical strategies and tactics for dealing with anger. Not avoiding it, but dealing with it in a healthy way that allows us to feel validated and to grow. We’ll work from a short but very helpful article from NPR on “4 steps to calm anger and process it.” I look forward to the discussion and what we will learn from each other!
Our warm-up question for this week:
How would you describe joy to someone who has never experienced it?
See you soon,
Alex
