How is your congregation doing?

This assessment is adapted from the criteria used for the Presbyterian Serious Mental Illness Network congregational award given at each General Assembly.

Does your congregation make a deliberate attempt to welcome and integrate persons with a serious mental illness and their families into the total life and work of the church without being obvious and setting them apart by:

• Being accepting, friendly, understanding and genuine?
• Praying for those who have a mental illness the same way as for other illnesses?
• Visiting and calling on persons who are mentally ill and offering to help in little ways?
• Offering support and love to the parents or family of the ill person, by inquiring about the relative?
• Listening and talking with the person who is mentally ill?

Does your congregation use every opportunity to educate themselves and others about mental illness by:

• Encouraging clergy, lay staff and congregants to learn about mental illnesses?
• Raising awareness of mental illness in sermons, bulletins and newsletters?
• Adding books and other publications to the church’s library?
• Becoming familiar with local mental health services and support groups?

Does your congregation offer its facilities and/or resources to those having a serious mental illness and their families by:

• Hosting a group of people from a local facility?
• Sponsoring a support group for them and/or their families?
• Sponsoring a social club or drop-in center?
• Offering employment opportunities?

Does your congregation advocate for people with mental illness by:

• Working with other churches and organizations, such as the Mental Health Association and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill?
• Supporting efforts to obtain appropriate housing and jobs?
• Challenging false, stigmatizing statements about mental illness?
• Supporting adequate state and local budgets for mental health services?
• Giving money for research to the causes and cure for mental illness?

Does your congregation undertake a ministry to, ministry with and ministry by persons with serious mental illness and their families?

Does your congregation invite persons with mental illness to serve on committees and in leadership positions?