Park Hill Baptist Church of North Little Rock is taking on a once taboo topic for many churches -- mental health. The church is hosting a forum, "Changing Attitudes: The Church and Mental Health," at 6:30 p.m. Monday.
Garrick Conner, the discipleship pastor at the church who is licensed as a professional counselor and also a licensed marriage and family therapist, said it's a much needed conversation.
"The high profile suicides we've seen in recent years, one being the daughter of a former Southern Baptist Convention president, and Rick Warren's son, really have opened up a conversation among church people about the mask people wear even to church," Conner said.
The goal of the forum is to start a discussion about the role churches can play in not only providing support to those struggling with mental, spiritual and emotional issues, but also by partnering with community agencies and programs that offer resources to those in need.
"The reality is we are all facing something at some point," Conner said. "Our goal is to be able to encourage people, No. 1 to open their eyes to the needs around them, often right there in our churches on Sunday morning, and also to find out what we can do. For me that involves realizing that no one psychological support group, no one pastor can do it all. It takes us collaborating with community organizations and agencies to work together for the good of our communities."
The program is targeted toward not only church leaders, but churchgoers who might be struggling or have a family member struggling with mental health problems. It's also for those who are searching for information or would like to get involved in helping others through ministry or support groups.
Conner said the program will feature short talks by 10 speakers with professional experience in dealing with mental-health issues, including counselors, therapists and ministers, as well as local law enforcement officials. Speakers will discuss the impact of mental-health problems on families, marriages and children, as well as the prevalence of mental-health challenges and the impact on the community. Grief and loss, substance abuse and addiction, suicide and holiday triggers will also be covered.
The evening will include time for questions and discussion, and representatives from agencies and ministries will be on hand to offer information on where to turn in a time of need.
"While we can't discount the fact that there are sometimes spiritual issues involved, the reality is for some it's just as much a biological issue as something like diabetes," Conner said. "Telling them to get over it is not helpful. It pushes them away. We hope people will understand that it's the silence that fuels the shame that keeps people stuck and wearing that mask. If you can't be real among people who call themselves believers then that's a real problem. We want to have the compassion of Christ for people in our churches and our community."
Doors open at 6 p.m. and the program will begin at 6:30. All are welcome. Conner said the program is free and that registration is requested but not required and can be done at parkhillbaptist.org. Information is available by contacting Vicki Driggs at (501) 753-3413, Extension 700.
The church is at 201 E. C Ave.
"It's a huge issue, especially going into the holiday season," Conner said. "It's time to remind people they don't have to be alone."
Religion on 11/29/2014