Mental Health Ministry

If you need help now, call 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline).

St. Mark’s mission is to “Love God, Love Others” by creating a welcoming, caring faith community for everyone. The St. Mark's Mental Health Ministry (MHM) seeks to be a caring community of open ears and gentle hearts where we strive to eliminate the stigma of mental illness through educational opportunities while providing connections to resources for our congregation and community.

Please note: The individuals participating in this ministry are not mental health professionals.

Upcoming events hosted at St. Mark's

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and St. Mark’s Mental Health Ministry will host two wellness sessions in partnership with the MN National Alliance on Mental Illness. These sessions encourage everyone to take time to support their mental health. Please save the dates and invite friends to attend!

Wed. Sept. 3 at 6 pm: Anxiety, Stress and Coping The transition back to school after summer break can be a source of both excitement and anxiety for students and their families. Renee Lebatt from MN NAMI will present a seminar specifically designed for youth and the people who care about them.
Sun. Sept. 21 at 10:45 am: Self Care & Mindfulness Danielle Thornton from MN NAMI will present a wellness seminar reminding us to be mindful of and take care of our own mental health. The session begins at 10:45 am after worship and is open to all ages.

How to find help

If you or a loved one is experiencing mental illness, you are not alone. An estimated 23.1 percent of Americans living with mental illness in 2022, according to the National Institute of Mental Illness. It can be daunting for people who are experiencing mental health issues to find help. That’s why St. Mark’s partners with Mental Health Connect, a coalition of about 40 faith communities, working together to help destigmatize mental illness to make sure all people can find the free, customized, and confidential help they need. Click this link Mental Health Connect to find agencies to provide crisis help or work with a navigator to find care that works for you or your loved one. St. Mark’s partnership with Mental Health Connect is funded by a grant from the St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Foundation.

Resource for support while grieving

When we lose someone special, life can feel like it has come to a stop or has turned upside down. One way you can find support is in a local grief group or online through GriefShare.org. Visit the website to sign up for free daily support emails; learn more about the 13-week in person or online program; watch some helpful videos; or explore other resources.

Upcoming Mental Health Connect Events

Take full advantage of our relationship with the Mental Health Connect collaborative and attend any of the events listed on their website. Some events may require registration or/and a fee. See the Mental Health Connect site for details.

Adult Mental Health First Aid Training– Saturday, August 16, 9am-2:30pm at Mental Health Connect, Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Skill-based training that teaches how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health struggles in adults.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training– Saturday, August 23, 9am-2:30pm at Mental Health Connect, Bethlehem Lutheran Church. How to identify, understand and respond to 12-18 year olds who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.
What You Need to Know About BIPOC Mental Health Today – Tuesday, September 9, 7-8:30pm at Mental Health Connect.
“Screenagers” – film and panel discussion. – Tuesday, September 30, 6-8pm at Mental Health Connect. For children kindergarten through 7th grade and their parents, caring adults and supporting community.

Some events may require registration or/and a fee. See the Mental Health Connect site for

details.

Community education and forums

Speaking openly about mental health and working to provide a welcoming environment helps to erase the stigma of mental illness. Focusing on mental health wellness practices can make life easier for everyone. Throughout the year St. Mark’s MHM team shares information via different channels including posters, the newsletter, and bulletin boards. We also provide young children and their families with age-appropriate books (via a new book cart in the Narthex), promoting mental health wellness; developing good communication and coping skills; and recognizing healthy ways to deal with big emotions.

Mental Health Ministry Team

This group of volunteers meets regularly in person or virtually to discuss ways we can improve outreach within St. Mark’s and the greater community. If this sounds interesting to you, please call the office.

Mental Health Book Club

This group reads and discusses current books on a range of mental health topics such as managing anxiety or bridging gaps with loved ones experiencing addiction or mental illness. New book club members are always welcome. Copies of Book Club books are available in the church library.

For More Information

If you would like more information about this ministry, please contact the church office at 651-777-7451 or stmarks@stmarks-nsp.org.