Centreville Presbyterian Church & NAMI sponsored event:
“Cancer!” It wasn’t that long ago that people would avoid using the “C” word despite the prevalence and varieties of this illness.
Thankfully, this has changed! Sadly, we still don’t speak very openly about the reality and prevalence of mental health conditions.
Anxiety, Depression, Personality Disorders, Mood Disorders, Psychotic Disorders, Trauma, Substance Abuse Disorders, and many others.
Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. – 43.8 million, or 18.5%- experiences mental illness in a given year.
Approximately 1 in 25 adults in the U.S. – 10 million, or 4.2% – experiences a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.
Christians can and do also have very real struggles with our mental health. As well, our lives can be dramatically changed by the mental health of those close to us.
Here at CPC, we want to begin to talk more candidly about how mental health conditions directly impact us and/or our loved ones. Just as Jesus cared for the entirety of a person ~ body, mind and spirit ~ so do we!
Save Sunday, August 18th, immediately following our worship service, for a special opportunity. This ministry event is for everyone: those with mental health conditions, those loving and supporting those who are impacted, and all of us who want to learn more.
Together with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Northern Virginia, we will be holding an event called IN OUR OWN VOICE.
We will hear directly from people who experience mental health conditions. Our goals include:
*Building awareness
*Addressing stigma
*Dismantling fear
*Developing understanding and compassion through listening
We will offer a light lunch so your advanced RSVP (helpful but not required) would be appreciated.
Our God is a God of HOPE! We will also be offering a small group this coming fall based on a curriculum developed by Kay and Rick Warren’s ministry at Saddleback Church. In the aftermath of their son’s struggles with mental health conditions and death by suicide, the Warrens have felt convicted and compelled to create ministries for the CHURCH and mental health.
“There is hope for mental health and the church is the reason.” ~ Rick Warren
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” ~ Romans 15:13
