Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge is offering a special
training opportunity for pastors to help them deal with the many different
types of mental health issues they may encounter while serving their
congregations.
The hospital will host a free “Mental Health First Aid Training
for Pastors” class from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at The Learning Center at
414 E. Parker Road in Morganton.
“This class is wonderful,” said Anna Wilson, marketing and
business development specialist at CHS Blue Ridge. “Our marketing department
has been through the training, and it really provides some useful insight into
helping people and recognizing the signs of someone in mental distress. We’ve
had a few sessions open to the public, but this is the first time we have
offered MHFA training to our community pastors.”
MHFA is an eight-hour course in which pastors learn a five-step
strategy to help someone dealing with a mental health issue or experiencing
suicidal thoughts. The strategy includes listening, assessing risk and
supporting the individual in crisis. It also includes identifying other
professional help and support the individual may need.
“Pastors are often on the front lines caring for church members
dealing with mental health issues,” said Chaplain Francisco Risso in the
department of pastoral care at CHS Blue Ridge. “We want to provide them with
the tools to help. At CHS, we are more than happy to contribute our resources
by providing this information for the benefit of our community.”
During the class, pastors will engage in experiential activities
to help them understand the impact of illness not only on the individual
suffering from the illness, but also the impact on families watching their
loved ones suffer. Pastors also will learn successful treatments and things to
teach individuals to do on their own to make it through recovery.
For the past two years in May, which is Mental Health Awareness
Month, CHS Blue Ridge offered the course to the public, said Wilson. This is
the only class that will be offered to pastors at this time, but if there is
enough interest they may offer it again.
“I know it will be hard for pastors to take a whole day for
training, but this class is really worth it and has very practical techniques
they can use to help people in crisis,” Wilson said.
Russo shared how he benefitted from taking the class.
“I have attended a MHFA training (session), and what sticks with
me is the idea that one necessary step of dealing with this issue is to
overcome the stigma around mental health issues,” said Risso. “They are not due
to personal moral failures, but are something that can affect anyone, no matter
their background or circumstances. Sufferers should thus be treated mercifully,
especially by faith communities.”
The course will highlight risk factors and warning signs for
mental health, as well as substance use problems.
“We hope this is a first step in getting local pastors involved in
the effort to overcome the problems that arise in a community when mental
health is not adequately addressed,” said Risso.
To register, call Dennis Stamper at 828-580-5143. There is no
deadline for registration and seating is unlimited. A free lunch will be
provided.
Barbara Jolly-Deakle is a News Herald correspondent and member of
the Morganton Writers’ Group. She can be reached at BabbyWrites@CompasCable.net.