Across Indiana, more than ever before NAMI affiliates and their members are engaged in support and educational outreach to clergy and communities of faith. NAMI is committed to a holistic approach to health and wellness. That means addressing the whole realm of an individual; the bio-psycho-social-spiritual components of one's personhood.
Outreach through NAMI FaithNet can be the catalyst for changing minds, sharing hope and offering life-saving help. NAMI FaithNet aims to educate faith-based groups about serious mental illnesses by discussing the role which faith communities can have in support and referral, and by telling them about NAMI education, support, and advocacy programs.
Through NAMI FaithNet, we are changing attitudes, touching hearts, and bringing hope.
If your NAMI affiliate or members are building bridges with faith communities, please write Linda Williams at lwilliams@namiindiana.org and tell us about your activities.
FaithNet across Indiana
NAMI Fort Wayne FaithNet - faithnet@namifortwayne.org - Learn more
NAMI West Central Indiana FaithNet - contact the office at 765-423-6939 - Learn more
NAMI Delaware County FaithNet - contact the office info@namidelawarecounty.com
NAMI Evansville - FaithNet meets the 3rd Tuesday of everyone month at 6 pm in a virtual format. This meeting is a working meeting to equip congregations so they are able to support individuals and families living with a mental illness. To register, call (812) 841-0793 or register at their website.
NAMI FaithNet
NAMI FaithNet is an interfaith resource network of NAMI members, friends, clergy, and congregations of all faith traditions who wish to encourage faith communities that are welcoming and supportive of persons and families living with mental illness.
NAMI FaithNet strives to encourage welcoming, caring congregations as well as to promote the vital role of spirituality in the recovery journeys of many who live with mental health conditions, those for whom faith is a key component.
Through this website, and through efforts nationally and in local communities, NAMI and NAMI Affiliates encourage an exchange of information, tools, and other resources which will help educate and inspire faith communities about mental illness and the vital role spirituality plays in recovery for many.
NAMI FaithNet encourages the observance of national awareness campaigns in faith communities. A quick Google search on any of these campaigns will unearth more than enough ideas and tools to plan a strategy.
Start simple. Just choose a month and start planning!
The most common awareness campaigns are:
May - Mental Health Month
First Week of May - Children's Mental Health Awareness Month
July - Minority Mental Health Month
September - Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
First Week in October - Mental Health Awareness Week
October 9 - National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Awareness and Understanding
October 11 - Depression Screening Day
NAMI offers creative tools, logos and activities for promoting awareness.
BRIDGES of HOPE
Faith Communities and NAMI
Bridges of Hope – What to expect?
It is a 60-90 minute presentation that will cover these sections.
Section I - What is mental illness? How does it impact individuals, families, and communities?
Section II - What is the role of the faith community in helping people and families touched by serious mental illness?
Section III - Who is NAMI and what does it offer to individuals, families and faith communities?
How can I schedule a presentation?
Contact Linda Williams, State Program Director for NAMI Indiana
lwilliams@namiindiana.org or 317-925-9399 Ext. 102
Past Partnership of NAMI Indiana and Center for Interfaith Cooperation
Previous events
June 2022 Trauma-Informed Care & Nurturing Resilience - Sebrena (Bre) Suggs
May 2022 Trauma, ACES, Toxic Stress & Community - Sebrena (Bre) Suggs
April 2022 NAMI Ending the Silence for School and Faith Leader Staff - Linda Williams, NAMI Indiana Program Director
March 2022 Art Therapy and You - Meaghan Wiggins, MA, LMHCA, OPN-CG
February 2022 Debunking the Myths of Grief - Joy L. Dyer, MSW, LCSW
January 2022 Faith Leaders, Ministry, and Mental Health - Mary Taflinger, Missioner for Pastoral Care, Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
December 2021 Faith, Culture, and Mental Health. Panelist - Rainie Grant, Dr. Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria, Robert Walson, Two Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
October 2021 The Long Haul : How we care for ourselves during these unprecedented times
September 2021 Social Isolation with Jay Foster, Vice President of Spiritual Care, Chaplaincy Services and Congregational Partnerships with Indiana University Health Systems.
April 2021 Communicating in a Crisis
March 2021 NAMI Bridges of Hope Presentation
February 2021 NAMI In Our Own Voice Presentation
January 2021 NAMI Ending the Silence for Teachers/Providers
February 2020 Faith and Eating Disorders with Rev. Darlene Williams - Selah House
January 2020 Dynamics of Domestic Violence with Ash Powell - Domestic Violence Network
November 2019 Voices of Resiience from our Immigrant Neighbors with Rhonda Wolverton - UIndy, Dija Henry, Sebastien del Corral - Hope Haven, Elizabeth Valencia - La Plaza, Harlon Wilson & Kate Voss - Sense Charter
October 2019 The Struggle is Real - Youth talking to Faith Leaders
September 2019 The Second Leading Cause of Death in Youth: Suicide - Kimble Richardson - Community Health Network, Dija Henry - film - Love, Jordan
August 2019 What is Childhood Trauma? Aces, Neurobiology of Trauma and the things that affect Us
June 2019 Prison Ministries
May 2019 Understanding Differences: The LGBTQ+ Community
April 2019 How to Support a Support Group
March 2019 Prevention as Intervention-Protective Factors and Sustained Recovery with Char Burkett-Sims - Adult and Child Health Services and Rev. Dr. Sarah Griffith Lund
February 2019 How and When to Refer with Dr. Arman Siddiqui and Sabrena Suggs
January 2019 Mental Health 101 - Let's Talk about It - NAMI presentation Ending the Silence
Crisis Lines
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning youth.
Resources
