Mental health ministries come in a great variety of forms, from a resource list posted in the front office, to hosting groups & classes, to renting space to professional counselors.
Bottom line: every church can do something, and it doesn't require lots of money or a professional level of training.
Therefore, firmly believing that the Church is our hope for improving mental health & increasing mental health resources, each month I will have a post about Christian resources. This month, I want to feature a few local mental health ministries that offer both in-person & online groups:
Salem Alliance Church, Salem, OR
Hope Connection is a monthly support group for people with a family member living with a mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety. It meets on the first Monday of the month, 6:30-8:30pm in room 303 of the Broadway Commons, 1300 Broadway St. NE, in Salem. There is no registration or fee required.
Contact Pastor Gordon Bergman, gbergman@salemalliance.org for more details and a zoom link.
Restore My Soul Ministries, Dallas, OR
The vision and mission and desire of this ministry is to lead and equip those stuck in unhealthy patterns to emotional and spiritual maturity and healing. They provide a variety of classes & groups, including:
Upcoming: Women's & Men's Boundaries groups. Both will meet at 6:30-8pm at The Grove in Dallas.
Ongoing: Her Journey, a women's group for victims of domestic violence.
For more information & registration, call: (503) 831-9242,
email: office@restoremysoulministries.org, or go to the website:
Celebrate Recovery, Monmouth, OR
Celebrate Recovery is a national, faith-based organization with local groups. The groups use a Christ-centered step model, and are for anyone looking for Biblically based support for a variety of issues. According to the national website, only about 1/3 of participants have alcohol & drug issues. Other issues range from co-dependency, history of trauma, or process addictions like pornography & gambling. Like secular 12-step groups, confidentiality is practiced.
An evening at Celebrate Recovery, at least locally, starts with worship in song & prayer. There will be a speaker, and then small groups will separate into women & men. Our local group meets at Cultivate Community Church, 655 Hwy 99, Monmouth, Tuesdays at 7pm.
For more information about our local group, contact Len Roe ( 503) 999-6309
For more information about Celebrate Recovery in general, or to find groups in other areas, visit the website. www.celebraterecovery.com
