Sharing Hope: A Community Partnership-Building Initiative
This workshop introduces participants to Sharing Hope, a NAMI initiative developed to do outreach to African American communities through the churches.
Mental illness affects one in four families in America. African American families are no exception. However, as numerous studies have highlighted, lack of education on mental illness and stigma prevent many members of this community from seeking mental health treatment.
Across the nation, congregations of all denominations bring African American families together and provide emotional support to their members. Researchers have found evidence that many African Americans seek help from the clergy more frequently than from health professionals. Mental health issues are no exception. When coping with mental illness, African American families often look for guidance, support and understanding from their faith community.
Objectives:
• Educating African American congregations about mental illness signs, symptoms, treatment and support using NAMI's Sharing Hope Program.
• Talk about how Sharing Hope helps churches address mental health stigma in the African American community by providing
science-based information on mental illness.
• Have been exposed to how Sharing Hope Increases understanding and awareness of mental health recovery by sharing lived experiences of people with mental illness, family members and faith leaders.
• Foster dialogue in African American congregations about mental illness and how congregations can provide a caring and supportive environment for people with these these illnesses
illnesses and their families.
• Introduce NAMI education and support programs to African American congregations.
Facilitated by Ms Gloria Walker
Executive Director
Urban Greater Cincinnati NAMI Chapter
This workshop introduces participants to Sharing Hope, a NAMI initiative developed to do outreach to African American communities through the churches.
Mental illness affects one in four families in America. African American families are no exception. However, as numerous studies have highlighted, lack of education on mental illness and stigma prevent many members of this community from seeking mental health treatment.
Across the nation, congregations of all denominations bring African American families together and provide emotional support to their members. Researchers have found evidence that many African Americans seek help from the clergy more frequently than from health professionals. Mental health issues are no exception. When coping with mental illness, African American families often look for guidance, support and understanding from their faith community.
Objectives:
• Educating African American congregations about mental illness signs, symptoms, treatment and support using NAMI's Sharing Hope Program.
• Talk about how Sharing Hope helps churches address mental health stigma in the African American community by providing
science-based information on mental illness.
• Have been exposed to how Sharing Hope Increases understanding and awareness of mental health recovery by sharing lived experiences of people with mental illness, family members and faith leaders.
• Foster dialogue in African American congregations about mental illness and how congregations can provide a caring and supportive environment for people with these these illnesses
illnesses and their families.
• Introduce NAMI education and support programs to African American congregations.
Facilitated by Ms Gloria Walker
Executive Director
Urban Greater Cincinnati NAMI Chapter
