Chief Consultant B Wellness Consulting LLC Dayton, Ohio
As mental health challenges become increasingly prevalent, people of faith often turn to faith leaders for support. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructors have an incredible opportunity to bridge the gap between faith leaders and mental health professionals. This forum will provide talking points and tips for encouraging faith leaders to bring MHFA to their staff and key volunteers. While MHFA doesn't take the place of the pastoral care they offer, learning to identify signs and symptoms and refer to next steps are pivotal to their effectiveness.
Learning Objectives:
Cultivate cultural sensitivity and respect: Establish an understanding of the myths that are believed by some faith leaders between spiritual wellness and mental wellness.
Learn effective engagement skills: Develop techniques for presenting the value of MHFA to church leaders and practice active listening and empathy to address questions from potential partners.
Build partnerships and collaborations: Explore strategies for initiating and nurturing relationships with local churches and identify potential barriers and overcoming challenges in establishing partnerships.
