Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month, observed each May, has helped address the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. This May, Bellflower, North Hills, and All Nations churches hosted special programs to raise awareness, offer resources, and create space for open conversations around mental health.
Bellflower church invited speakers to talk about mental health and well-being. One Sabbath, Byron Rivera, Psy.D., spoke about the role of shame in mental health. Sharing about the woman at the well in one session, Rivera talked about the emotional weight shame carries and how faith, paired with honest self-awareness, can lead to deeper healing and mental well-being. Another Sabbath, Linda Caviness- Park, Ph.D., spoke about neuroscience and the path to psychological well-being.
“There is a [fractal] pattern God used when He created Adam and Eve—and in turn, you and me,” Caviness-Park said in a session. “That pattern is not just a pattern of how He put us together as brain, body, and heart, but it’s a pattern that goes much deeper.”
She explained how this pattern shows God’s thumbprint at every level in the body, which she described as mental, physical, and spiritual health working together for optimum health.
The annual Heart and Mind Summit hosted by North Hills church addresses mental health challenges that impact the community. This year’s theme, “Untangling Our Relationships,” focused on bringing healing and restoration to families. Recognizing that mental health is not just an adult issue, this year’s summit offered tracks for kids ages 5-10 and 11-14 and provided daycare for preschool-aged kids. Some activities in the sessions included identifying circles of trust among friends and family, understanding emotions, and learning coping skills.
“I think it’s important to help kids build emotional vocabulary and find ways to express the big feelings they experience,” Angel Smith, North Hills associate pastor, said. “It was a blessing to help walk them through it and let them know it’s OK to be angry, for example, and to provide them with healthy ways to manage their emotions.”
All Nations church also aimed to provide resources for the younger generation. At the end of the month, the church held a mental health talk and dinner designed for middle and high school students. A session presented by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) included a presentation, short videos, and a personal testimony from a young adult about their journey to recovery. Youth had the opportunity to ask questions to understand this often-misunderstood topic.
“Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety are very common,” said Melissa Eusebio, All Nations health ministries director. “Teens are especially vulnerable because they often feel the need to be accepted and validated. We need to share positive messages about mental health with teens and the ways they can connect with care so that they don’t feel alone when they need to manage a mental illness.”
These are just some examples of how churches throughout Southern California Conference are working to break down the stigma around mental health and provide tools to improve mental well-being.
