Go to Where the Hurt Is: Attending the Clergy Summit on Mental Health

I was asked if I could take someone's place today at the Clergy Summit on Mental Health hosted by the NewYork-Presbyterian Ambulatory Care Network.   I'm so glad I went.  I hope I can give you just a small portion of what I learned in less than 4 hours.  

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Before I share what I learned, let me give you some context.  

The Building Bridges, Knowledge and Health Coalition wanted to create an event to let clergymen in Upper Manhattan, Harlem, and the Bronx know what mental health services are available to their congregations.  The LDS Public Affairs learned about this event and invited LDS Bishops and Relief Society presidents in New York City to attend as Clergy.  I was asked to take the Relief Society's President's spot for the Union Square Ward.  Our Bishop and Welfare Specialist also attended.  I saw one other LDS member there from another ward.  Most in attendance were pastors of various churches including Baptist, Episcopal, and Presbyterian.  I also saw some of the Jewish and Muslim faith.  

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SPEAKERS

The honored speaker was New York City's First Lady, Chirlane McCray.  Her platform is known as Thrive NYC and she's trying to change the conversation about mental health.  Here's a link to the website.  

Thrive NYC

An assemblywoman, and a US Congressman for NY also spoke.  They shared some interesting statistics and challenges with mental health.  

We also heard from two doctors, Dr. Yiu Kee Warren Ng and Dr. Sidney Hankerson.  Then we had a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Hankerson.  The panel was a blend of both medical professionals and ecclesiastical leaders.

STATISTICS
As you can imagine many stats surrounding mental health were shared.  Let me share with you what jumped out at me.  

• 1 out of 5 in the U.S. are struggling with some type of mental health issue.  
• Most substance abuse is because of a mental health issue. 
• Overdose is the number one cause of death for those under the age of 50.  
• In the last 30 years, suicide rates for girls ages 10-14 has increased by 200%.
• Suicide is the second highest cause of death in the U.S. for ages 15-29. 
• Suicide rates for all ages are at an all-time high within the last 30 years.  
• Those who are suffering with a mental health issue are more likely to seek their clergy than a doctor or therapist.  
• Depression is the #1 cause of disabilities in the U.S. 
• Pastors and other clergymen are more likely to suffer from depression than the average American.

STUMBLING BLOCKS 

Those who minister to others in a faith-based organization or church have some unique challenges to helping those who struggle with mental health.

1. As stated before, those who are suffering with mental health, are more likely to seek their clergy rather than a professional.  Some may be resistant to seeking professional help because of distrust, lack of access, or their faith traditions.
2. Clergy have a tradition of actually making it difficult for church members to seek professional help.  Sayings like, "Too blessed to be stressed" or "Too anointed to be disappointed" make those struggling feel like they shouldn't be battling grief, depression, or anxiety.  The idea to pray harder is encouraged.
3. Since clergy are not therapists or mental health professionals, they struggle providing adequate support and care.  This not only doesn't help the one in need, but also causes stress and mental health issues to the clergy.

SOLUTIONS

The theme that was repeated throughout the event was understanding the difference between being a first responder and a professional.

Here's one way to look at it.

Let's say you come upon someone who is bleeding.  You have a basic understanding of first aid.  You know that you need to stop the bleeding, clean the wound, call for help, and stay with the patient until help arrives.  You also know that since you aren't a doctor, you can't stitch up the wound, or perform surgery on the one who is suffering.

Let's say you come upon someone who is having a panic attack.  Do you have a basic understanding of mental health first aid?  Do you understand that you are not a therapist and can't "treat" the person?  Do you know what questions to ask?  Do you know how to call for help?

Well, New York City is working to change that.  ThriveNYC offers mental health first aid training classes.  To learn more about the classes offered, click on the link below.
Mental Health First Aid

When assessing a person's physical health, we look at their vital signs.
Heart rate
Blood pressure
Temperature
Respiration
Weight

When a assessing a person's mental health, we can look at other vital signs.
Heart rate:  Listen to their heart.  What is their story?
Blood pressure:  What stresses or pressures are they experiencing?
Temperature:  What heated emotions are they showing?
Respiration: Do they have room to breathe?  Are they practicing self care?
Weight: What anxieties or worries are weighing on their minds.

As those who are leaders in our churches' organizations, we are known as the first responders.  Here's what we can do.

• Assess their risk of harm or suicide.
• Listen to them non-judgmentally - be a careful listener 
• Reassure them and give them information of what they can do next
• Encourage them to seek help
• Encourage them to get support

As first responders there is something else we should also do.  That is to make sure we are practicing self-care so that we can stay mentally healthy.

In our info packet was a worksheet allowing us to inventory how well we perform self-care.  As an aside, I have to say this.  I was humbled by this list.  These are activities encouraged by the LDS Church to all of its members.  I guess I've always seen the counsel from the leaders as ways to live the gospel, I've never seen it as ways to stay mentally healthy too.

I won't type the whole list, but here is a sample of the worksheet.

SPIRITUAL
--Read Bible daily
--Daily time in prayer
--Journal insight from Bible, reflections on the day
--Serve and encourage others
--Start your day with a time of praise and prayer
--End your day with a time of praise and thanskgiving
--Bible study (dig deep)
--Join a small group where you can share, pray, learn

PHYSICAL
--Eat healthy
--Exercise
--Get regular medical care for prevention and when needed
--Get enough sleep every night
--Set boundaries for time away from telephones/email/technology

PSYCHOLOGICAL
--Make time for self-reflection but don't stare at the past- just glance and move forward
--Write in a journal
--Read literature that is unrelated to work
--Do something at which you are not an expert or in charge
--Engage your intelligence in a new area
--Practice receiving from others
--Say "no" to extra responsibilities

I'd like to end with a poignant comment made by one of the panelists.

Compassion is going to where the hurt is.  When someone is suffering, all they know is that they are hurting.  They don't know why or that they need help.  We can't wait for them to come to us, we must go to them.  We must enter their homes and sit with them.  That is how we minister to them.

The LDS Church has a dual-sided program known as visiting teaching (women visiting women) and home teaching (priesthood holders visiting families).  This program is based on the idea of one-on-one ministering.  To learn more about how these programs work within the Church visit the links below:
Visiting Teaching
Home Teaching

NYC has a hotline for those who are struggling with depression, anxiety, suicide, and drug or alcohol abuse.  1-888-NYC-WELL.  To learn more, click on the link below:
NYC WELL