Mental Health Awareness - LPNI

In reviewing identified health observances for October, four topics have common threads worth exploring: Domestic Violence, Bullying/Cyber-bullying, Mental Illness Awareness and Depression Screening. Two questions come to mind: (1) What is the common thread in these four health concerns? (2) What is the role of the Faith Community (Parish) Nurse in addressing or intervening with persons experiencing these health concerns? (3) How receptive are the congregational members to being involved in ministering to people experiencing domestic violence/abuse, bullying, and mental illness

The following common threads are as follows:

Faith Community (Parish) Nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that focuses on the intentional care of the spirit as well as promotion of wholistic health and prevention or minimization of illness within the context of the faith community. Within this definition, wholistic, relates to the interconnected unity of the physical, mental social, environmental and spiritual realms within and about the person. The FCN promotes shalom as a foundation for wholism, health and healing.

First and foremost the FCN (Parish Nurse) needs to become knowledgeable about these health concerns through education and research. Mental Health First Aid training was developed in 2001 and updated for the purpose of improving mental health knowledge and skill so that persons can recognize early stages of a mental health problem and assist that person in accessing the necessary care in the early stages. (https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/)

Mental Health First Aid Action Plan is a first line approach for intervening with a person who is experiencing a mental health crisis, be it traumatic event (abuse, violence bullying), depression or other mental health entities. The Mental Health Action Plan is as follows: Assess for risk of suicide or harm (self or others); Listen nonjudgmentally, Give reassurance and information; Encourage appropriate professional help; Encourage self-help and other support strategies. [Note anachronym: ALGEE to assist remembering steps].  This is an excellent course for learning or reviewing mental health problems and appropriate communication skills for intervening with a person experiencing a mental health concern.

When intervening, de-escalate the situation by staying calm using a calm tone of voice, use non-threatening language, allow person to pace if needed, do not engage law enforcement unless absolutely necessary. If law enforcement is engaged be sure to fully describe the behavior observed. Sometimes passing the person off to another member of the healthcare team or spiritual leader may help in de-escalating the situation if the person is directing their anger at the responder. In addition, the Faith Community Nurse should become knowledgeable of resources in the community than can be utilized as referral services.

Persons experiencing a mental health crisis may also be struggling with their spirituality-

The FCN (Parish Nurse) should explore the person’s spirituality if possible. The open ended leading statements that may: (1) Share with me your spiritual beliefs that can help you in coping with the stress of this situation. (2) In what way have your beliefs influenced how you take care of yourself during stressful times? (3) Tell me about the people you really love or are important to you that could support you during this time?  Listening and being present are two powerful tools when intervening. Offering to pray with them can be a source of solace and peace.

Surrounded by violence and cruelty, let us pray for a world restored and for all whom God has made. God of healing, hear the cries of all who are being beaten, battered and bullied, those who are isolated, silenced, numb, and unable to trust. Give them clarity in the midst of confusion, deliverance from danger, healing from hurt, and help amidst their helplessness. Watch over them at home, at work, at church, in court, and as they travel, and show them a way out of their pain and suffering.

God of mercy, broaden our understanding of family violence in all its forms – emotional, verbal, physical, sexual, economic, spiritual, and psychological.  Broaden our understanding and awareness of bullying and mental illness.  Guard the abused, confused, oppressed and depressed from shame and humiliation. Keep them safe from harm amidst the anger, rage, coercion, and betrayal of their abusers. Pour out upon them your guidance and wisdom as they seek put treatment, healing and a return to wholeness, the shalom that You desire for Your children.

God of action, we, your holy Church, find ourselves doubtful to believe, slow to show compassion, paralyzed to act, and withholders of hope. Give us understanding and patience. Help us to respect the decisions of those who have been violated. Keep us from dictating what another should do or how they should live, as we have not walked in their shoes. Show us that we, the Church, are called to be a survivor’s last hope.

We give you thanks, O God, that you have heard our prayers and ask all these things in the name of Jesus, the one who died for us, and was raised, that we too might be raised to be with You eternally. Amen.

Donna Kleister RN, MS  Abiding Savior Lutheran Church           Anderson, SC

Useful Website Resources

Mental Health America        

National Council for Behavioral Health       

World Health Organization    

Elite Healthcare Mental Health An Epidemic of American Suicide August 2019

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence        

National Bullying Prevention Month          

Mental Illness Awareness Month   

National Depression Screening Day

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services -National Health Observance

National Institute of Mental Health