Jun 12, 2024 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
Hello Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I think you will all agree that the topic Brian found for our conversation this week: “Is Watching the new News Bad for Your Mental Health” is very timely. We are inundated with 24-hour news circle so the question is how much news are we consuming and how is it affecting our mental health? The article below discusses how consuming too much news can impact our mental health and then offers some tips on how to manage our news intake.
There is no video this week and so I don’t have to worry about screen sharing, Yay! As you read the article below, take note of the many tips provided and come prepared to share your personal experiences. Let’s learn from each other and stay Stronger Together.
For our warmup question, please come prepared to talk about “The Best Book you have ever read.”
I look forward to seeing most, if not all of you on Thursday.
Sampson
Jun 5, 2024 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
Hi Stronger Together folks,
This week’s video is about a retired military veteran helping other veterans through art therapy. (Thanks, Brian, for the video!)
She talks about the difficulty of leaving military life and adjusting back to civilian life. For many veterans the expression of feelings, pain, and vulnerability has been greatly discouraged, leading to isolation and in some cases substance abuse. By encouraging non-verbal expression through hands-on making (with or without any art skills) she has helped some veterans find the adjustment more tolerable.
She also talks about creating one’s own “Mental Health Care Kit” for coping with stress, change, and loss.
Today’s warmup question: If you could add a room to your home that was for a specific, just-for-you purpose, what would you use it for and what would you put in there?
See you at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 6!
Kirsten
May 30, 2024 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
Hello Stronger Together Group,
I love this video Brian found about mental health month, which includes a happy piece from Sesame Street’s Elmo. Here is the link, and look forward to seeing everyone at 7pm tonight.
Warmup question: What qualities do you look for in a friendship?
Dee
May 23, 2024 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
Hello everyone.
This evening, we will discuss things that we have found that seem to help our mental health, so that we might get some tips from each other. To start our conversation, we will watch a video:
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/boston/news/knitting-third-piece-massachusetts-mental-health/
To start our meeting, we will discuss an ice breaker question: “What type of clothing represents the way you are feeling right now?”
See you all soon!
In Christ,
May 16, 2024 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support 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 Support 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,
