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Mental Health

Self care as holy restoration

Self care is “all the rage these days,” NEXT Church keynoter Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes said Tuesday during her second of three talks. It’s a “commodified topic,” but it’s not well understood. Walker-Barnes, Professor of Practical Theology and Pastoral Counseling at Columbia Theological Seminary, laid out six claims on the topic to help bring understanding to those attending NEXT Church’s National Gathering both in person at Montreat Conference Center and online.

Mental, physical and spiritual health are interrelated

In the first of three forums in recognition of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s celebration of Black History Month, the Rev. Dr. Terrlyn L. Curry Avery, the pastor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Massachusetts, addressed the subject of service, sacrifice or self-care.

‘Historically, African Americans have not had the luxury of self-care’

In celebration of Black History Month, the African American Intercultural Congregational Support Ministries will host the first of three forums to give participants an opportunity to go into an in-depth conversation around the topics of resistance, rest, recovery and reparations, which are the supporting pillars of the theme of the 2022 celebration, “Resiliency to Recovery.”

Embracing mental health for Asian Americans

Recently, I attended an online conference titled, “Mental Health and Asian Americans: Context and Strategies for Faith Leaders” hosted by the Center for Asian American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary. I am still processing my emotions.

Eight-part Minister Survey series wraps up with letters ministers wrote to their younger selves

Much has been learned from the Minister Survey. Researchers and leaders will continue to explore the data over the next year and look to how the information can be shared with leadership, seminaries and ministers so that they can begin the work of encouraging what is helpful and addressing concerns. So, what are the key takeaways from this work? What is promising? What needs addressing?

PC(USA) ministers are not reticent to talk about mental health

On the 10th anniversary of the adoption of “Comfort My People: A Policy Paper on Serious Mental Health,” the 223rd General Assembly (2018) funded a two-year mental health initiative based in the Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA). The mental health questions in the Research Services minister survey were designed in collaboration with PMA staff and are part of a larger study of mental health across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The questions focus on four areas: awareness, training, ministry and self-care.  

Upending the bushel basket that conceals our light

Natalie Pisarcik, a member of First Presbyterian Church of Boonton, New Jersey, has already bravely shared her story of deep depression and the intention she once had to end her life before asking God to forgive her for what she called “a terrible mistake,” forgiveness Pisarcik said she did receive.

Gifts to #Give 8/28 can make a difference in lives often overlooked by churches

St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church in Beachwood, Ohio, was recently awarded a woman’s leadership development grant from the Women’s Leadership Development and Young Women’s Ministries, part of Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries, because of funds raised through #Give8/28 during the 2020 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Week of Action.