Laverne Williams spoke about faith and mental health at noon in the Blue Room. Laverne is with the Mental Health Association–New Jersey.

Prayer and fasting aren’t necessary the only strategies for healing. Whether the disease is diabetes or depression, God made doctors and therapists to help you.

Laverne focuses on the African American community–education both for the Churches (ministers, pastors, congregation) and for the Service Providers (doctors, social workers, hospitals). Many of the issues of stigma and obstacles to seeking care are the same across all communities (Latino, Asian, …) but it is worthwhile seeking help from someone within your community, that is familiar with your culture for example.

The Hawk is outside. What does that mean? One elderly woman was saying that to a doctor, and the doctor thought she was hallucinating birds where there were none. But in her culture, all she was saying was it is getting cold outside.

Who sinned to make this person this way? Is the person possessed by demons? If god can’t heal you, no one can. Sin must be the source of your mental illness.

These are the types of questions, statements, Laverne is tackling in her work of outreach to the church and to service providers.

One way spirituality benefits your mental health, is spirituality takes you outside yourself. It reminded me of John Grund’s mindfulness talk. On being aware of others, and your environment, and its impact on your mind.

What is wellness? It is about the physical, spiritual, social, mental, emotional health. For a person to be healthy, it is more than just physically healthy.

PEWS Program (Promoting Emotional Wellness and Spirituality) educates African American clergy, lay staff and church communities to better recognize mental illness and how to link parishioners to resources, as well as assists church communities in starting PEWS Mental Health Ministries. PEWS also works to address the stigma surrounding mental illness in the African American community and to promote emotional wellness. If your group or church is interested in learning more about the PEWS program, contact Laverne Williams, Director of Pews at lwilliams@mhanj.org or call 973-571-4100.

She has a presentation which I will post here shortly. And also a great video on PEWS. We at HOP have a copy, and it is worthwhile for anyone active in church, particularly the African American church, to see this video.