Organizational Resources for Mental Illness
At Here/Hear, we are committed to helping the mentally ill by partnering with community organizations to conduct our seminars, presentations, workshops, and the rest, as well as working with the same or similar organizations to set up our Here/Hear Groups (our peer-to-peer support groups). We want to work with entities like schools, houses of worship, community clubs, other nonprofits, and, really, anyone looking to make a tangible difference in the life of their community and in the lives of individuals.
Below are some examples of the resources we have available for both churches and other community organizations. WE CAN ALWAYS ADAPT OUR CURRICULUM AND TEACHING TO YOUR CONTEXT!
Below are some examples of the resources we have available for both churches and other community organizations. WE CAN ALWAYS ADAPT OUR CURRICULUM AND TEACHING TO YOUR CONTEXT!
RESOURCES FOR CHURCHES
![Church mental illness](/uploads/7/6/5/1/76512269/9380914.jpg?1465227026)
1. Special Speakers on Mental Illness and the Church
We have a lineup of special speakers that can come to your church and give a sermon or presentation on what it is like to live with a mental illness and have faith. We can tailor our presentation to your time commitments and what you are doing in any given service.
2. Gatherings on Mental Illness
We can host a gathering on mental illness at your church. This gathering is led by Here/Hear. We guide a discussion using our insight and expertise. However, we recognize that every church, city, town, county, etc. has a different context; so, it is imperative that the work of Here/Hear fits within your world. Thus, there is a lot of dialogue trying to figure out how to help those with mental illness where you are. |
![church support group](/uploads/7/6/5/1/76512269/6407785.jpeg?1465228024)
3. Peer-to-Peer Support Groups
We can also help you set up peer-to-peer support groups. These groups are meant to be supportive of those with a mental illness by offering a safe space where they can come and share about their struggles. A typical groups would have the following: first, go around and introduce ourselves so if names are forgotten or their are new people, they don't feel odd; second, there is a time of meditation, or mindfulness; third, we will use a bible verse to guide the time of sharing. This leads to the time of sharing, but it does not have to be centered on one idea. It can go wherever, offering people the chance to speak. When the time of sharing is over, ask for prayers. End the prayer time with the Serendipity prayer. And then take a few minutes to have everyone write down an insight or two from the time together.
We can also help you set up peer-to-peer support groups. These groups are meant to be supportive of those with a mental illness by offering a safe space where they can come and share about their struggles. A typical groups would have the following: first, go around and introduce ourselves so if names are forgotten or their are new people, they don't feel odd; second, there is a time of meditation, or mindfulness; third, we will use a bible verse to guide the time of sharing. This leads to the time of sharing, but it does not have to be centered on one idea. It can go wherever, offering people the chance to speak. When the time of sharing is over, ask for prayers. End the prayer time with the Serendipity prayer. And then take a few minutes to have everyone write down an insight or two from the time together.
![QPR Institute](/uploads/7/6/5/1/76512269/unknown_2.jpeg?1469131999)
4. Suicide Awareness and Intervention Training
Our Executive Director, Nate Crawford, is certified by the QPR Institute to be both an interventionist when it comes to people who might be suffering from suicidal thoughts or ideation and trained to teach others in how to be aware of the different signs that are present in regards to a suicidal person. Nate has also developed this curriculum specifically for church pastors and for churches in general, talking about suicide, intervention, and awareness in a way that is faithful to the religious tradition but also aware of and informed by the different understandings of suicide we have today.
Our Executive Director, Nate Crawford, is certified by the QPR Institute to be both an interventionist when it comes to people who might be suffering from suicidal thoughts or ideation and trained to teach others in how to be aware of the different signs that are present in regards to a suicidal person. Nate has also developed this curriculum specifically for church pastors and for churches in general, talking about suicide, intervention, and awareness in a way that is faithful to the religious tradition but also aware of and informed by the different understandings of suicide we have today.
![Assembly on Mental Illness](/uploads/7/6/5/1/76512269/3348370_1.jpg?236)
1. School Assemblies
We offer a number of speakers to come in and share in your school. We will listen to you about your school's needs and tailor our message to what you need. This is a multi-media and interactive experience that accomplishes multiple goals. First, we counter the stigma associated with mental illness. Second, we provide resources for everyone who encounters mental illness in all of its forms. We teach about warning signs, how to help a friend, and answer questions. Third, we point students to a peer-to-peer support group, whether in school or the community.
We offer a number of speakers to come in and share in your school. We will listen to you about your school's needs and tailor our message to what you need. This is a multi-media and interactive experience that accomplishes multiple goals. First, we counter the stigma associated with mental illness. Second, we provide resources for everyone who encounters mental illness in all of its forms. We teach about warning signs, how to help a friend, and answer questions. Third, we point students to a peer-to-peer support group, whether in school or the community.
![Support Group Mental Illness](/uploads/7/6/5/1/76512269/7773381_1_orig.jpg)
2. Here/Hear Groups; or, Peer-to-Peer Support Groups
Here/Hear Groups are our version of peer-to-peer support groups. These groups are meant to be supportive of those with a mental illness by offering a safe space where they can come and share about their struggles. These groups could operate in a number of different ways in a school: they could either be before or after school, or they could take place during the "club" time (when the other clubs meet, like Spanish Club or Honors Society).
A typical group would have the following: first, go around and introduce everyone so if names are forgotten or their are new people, they don't feel odd; second, there is a time of mindfulness; third, there is a time of sharing, but it does not have to be centered on one idea and should go wherever, offering people the chance to speak. When the time of sharing is over take a few minutes to write down any reflections or insights from the time together.
These peer-to-peer support groups can be led either by students or have a faculty leader; however, they must be open and free to allow any and all things to be said (although, there are obligations for talking to someone if a student says she or he will harm themselves or another). Here/Hear will provide all the support we can and work with local counselors to make sure the group is safe, yet open.
Ideally, there would be an assembly to "launch" these peer-to-peer support groups. After the assembly, or while a Here/Hear representative is available, there would be a time of training a few student leaders and an adult on how to conduct and work within a group. This is not intense, but a dialogue.
Here/Hear Groups are our version of peer-to-peer support groups. These groups are meant to be supportive of those with a mental illness by offering a safe space where they can come and share about their struggles. These groups could operate in a number of different ways in a school: they could either be before or after school, or they could take place during the "club" time (when the other clubs meet, like Spanish Club or Honors Society).
A typical group would have the following: first, go around and introduce everyone so if names are forgotten or their are new people, they don't feel odd; second, there is a time of mindfulness; third, there is a time of sharing, but it does not have to be centered on one idea and should go wherever, offering people the chance to speak. When the time of sharing is over take a few minutes to write down any reflections or insights from the time together.
These peer-to-peer support groups can be led either by students or have a faculty leader; however, they must be open and free to allow any and all things to be said (although, there are obligations for talking to someone if a student says she or he will harm themselves or another). Here/Hear will provide all the support we can and work with local counselors to make sure the group is safe, yet open.
Ideally, there would be an assembly to "launch" these peer-to-peer support groups. After the assembly, or while a Here/Hear representative is available, there would be a time of training a few student leaders and an adult on how to conduct and work within a group. This is not intense, but a dialogue.
![Mental Illness Workshop](/uploads/7/6/5/1/76512269/3810783_1_orig.jpg)
3. School/Staff Workshop
One of the most difficult things for staff in schools is to have confidence approaching a student who they feel might be suffering from a mental illness or who is in pain. Our workshops will give school staff the tools to help such students. Often these students do not "reach out" or want to talk, but they do desire help if one knows where to look or listen. These workshops help provide the tools for where to look and where to listen.
If we are honest, school staff is over-worked most of the time. We are trying to make it easier for them by telling stories of mentally ill students, pointing to warning signs, offering insights into the kind of assignments that might help students, and talking about how some students are eligible for disability services. In all, these are comprehensive workshops that empower the entire staff in schools to do what they desire to do: help students.
One of the most difficult things for staff in schools is to have confidence approaching a student who they feel might be suffering from a mental illness or who is in pain. Our workshops will give school staff the tools to help such students. Often these students do not "reach out" or want to talk, but they do desire help if one knows where to look or listen. These workshops help provide the tools for where to look and where to listen.
If we are honest, school staff is over-worked most of the time. We are trying to make it easier for them by telling stories of mentally ill students, pointing to warning signs, offering insights into the kind of assignments that might help students, and talking about how some students are eligible for disability services. In all, these are comprehensive workshops that empower the entire staff in schools to do what they desire to do: help students.
![Parents and Mental Illness](/uploads/7/6/5/1/76512269/5871532-jpg.png?203)
4. Parent/Community Meeting
Here/Hear is committed to making support of the mentally ill a project of the entire community. With that in mind, we also offer to lead a community discussion for parents and community leaders on mental illness in and among young people. While a Here/Hear representative will lead the discussion, this will be more of a gathering. There will be an open floor where people can share their experiences, ask questions, seek out help, and the like. During these meetings, we also will reach out to invite local licensed counselors who can be of assistance. In all, this is an event that benefits the entire community and can be a catalyst for change.
Here/Hear is committed to making support of the mentally ill a project of the entire community. With that in mind, we also offer to lead a community discussion for parents and community leaders on mental illness in and among young people. While a Here/Hear representative will lead the discussion, this will be more of a gathering. There will be an open floor where people can share their experiences, ask questions, seek out help, and the like. During these meetings, we also will reach out to invite local licensed counselors who can be of assistance. In all, this is an event that benefits the entire community and can be a catalyst for change.
![QPR Institute](/uploads/7/6/5/1/76512269/unknown_3_orig.jpeg)
5. Suicide Awareness and Intervention Training
Our Executive Director, Nate Crawford, is certified by the QPR Institute to be both an interventionist when it comes to people who might be suffering from suicidal thoughts or ideation and trained to teach others in how to be aware of the different signs that are present in regards to a suicidal person. Following the lead of QPR, Nate leads his workshops both for those who are in more professional settings, like teachers and school administrators, and for parents, community people, etc. In both instances, the teaching Nate does helps people recognize suicidal triggers in a person, ask the right questions of not only the person but of family and friends, persuade the person to get help, and then refer to a professional counselor or hospital. Nate looks forward to helping anyone explore these issues.
Our Executive Director, Nate Crawford, is certified by the QPR Institute to be both an interventionist when it comes to people who might be suffering from suicidal thoughts or ideation and trained to teach others in how to be aware of the different signs that are present in regards to a suicidal person. Following the lead of QPR, Nate leads his workshops both for those who are in more professional settings, like teachers and school administrators, and for parents, community people, etc. In both instances, the teaching Nate does helps people recognize suicidal triggers in a person, ask the right questions of not only the person but of family and friends, persuade the person to get help, and then refer to a professional counselor or hospital. Nate looks forward to helping anyone explore these issues.