Clergy Reflections on Mental Health

The Rev. Jessica Stokes is the Associate Director of Partners in Health and Wholeness, a program of the North Carolina Council of Churches. She leads the statewide mental health advocacy efforts.  Peace to you, wherever this finds you. I am grateful to share this space with you. My ministry is focused on mental health advocacy alongside faith communities and destigmatizing mental health. What better time than now to think about this with me? As people of faith, we know how important community is, and how important life together is (even virtually). Faith communities have the ability to be agents of compassion, healing, hope, and peace for those that are hurting, living with mental health concerns, and more. This is needed and sacred work that God joins us in. We can begin conversations of compassion, while fostering shared-vulnerability in a culture of mutuality and support. I pray that we can see this time as an opportunity, and not just a challenge. Faith communities have numerous

Welcome to Clergy Reflections on Mental Health! We are glad you're here.  Join us monthly for a blog that will offer wisdom, encouragement, and motivation for faith communities. Follow along as faith leaders share their connection to mental health through their stories, ministry, and context. This platform will offer many perspectives on how a faith community can eliminate stigma around mental health and offer hope to all. This blog will provide ideas on how our different faith communities are ministering to those with mental health challenges and navigating difficult but crucial topics, thus, helping us as faith leaders feel less alone in our efforts. We look forward to learning together!  Comments and/ or questions can be sent to: ClergyMHBlog@gmail.com Our committee includes: Cynthia Bucy, M.Div., M.Ed., BSN, RN-BC Faith Connections on Mental Illness Board Member The Rev. Dr. Garry J. Crites Executive Director NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) North Carolina The Rev. D