Hope for Mental Health

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness ,  is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.  They provide education, support & more, including locally.     Contact our local branch for more information about specific classes and groups, which include: NAMI Connection - a mental health support group NAMI Family Support Group - for family members, significant others & friends of people with mental health conditions. NAMI Family-to-Family - a class for families, significant others & friends of people with mental health conditions. The course is designed specifically to help understand the challenges, and to improve the ability to cope and to become advocates. For more information, & online options go to:   www.nami.org For information about local classes and groups: NAMI Marion Polk, Salem, OR:  (971) 208-3478

Why a ministry?  Everyone experiences mental health challenges, and needs mental health skills & support!   As a person who has had life-long practice at coping with depression, anxiety, & trauma, I'm here to tell you there's hope!   As a Christian, I'm here to tell you that faith & science are a great team! As a retired mental health social worker,  I'm intimate with the resource problems in our communities.  (I'm trying not to rant, so I'll just say it's frustrating & heartbreaking.) It's important to note that our mental health ministry at Monmouth Christian started with a $79 "Hope for Mental Health" kit from Saddle Back Church, one pastor, and one volunteer.   Our main goals were to normalize the conversation, and have resource information available.  We instituted a yearly Mental Health Sunday insuring that the conversation has become part of our rhythm.  Donations have helped provide materials, & recently, tech trai