Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness is celebrated during the month of May in the United States. For thirty-one consecutive days, we aim to increase awareness and reduce stigma associate with mental health, all toward the goal of improving our overall well-being. We celebrate that awareness of mental health issues has heightened in recent years. Television shows, social media and the global pandemic have all brought attention to people’s needs for treatment and somewhat normalized it. However, these same elements have also reminded us of our ongoing challenges to continue lowering stigma, keep promoting equity of access to care, and intentionally taking preventative measures to address risk of suicide.

As an experienced clinician of color and pastor, I remain committed to these causes both inside and outside of the church’s four walls. I am grateful for the clinical skills that empower me to effect change in the behavioral health space. I am also honored and humbled to serve in ways that spiritually transform the lives of members in the church space. It is my prayer and mission that mental health professionals and clergy collaborate effectively so that barriers to growth are removed, and the people in God’s vineyard will continue to flourish! Thanks for joining me in this journey!

Reflection

Here’s a thought. As followers of Christ, we quote this verse often:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV). We are inclined to focus on the word “mind,” but let’s shine a light on the meaning of “sound” in context.

A closer look in other translations of this verse shows that soundness involves being calm, self-controlled, disciplined and well-balanced. These qualities are really appealing, especially when daily stressors of life and ministry demands unsettle us or easily throw us out of balance. I am learning by experience, the hardest teacher, that there are measures I must take and habits that I should keep for the sake of my own sanity.  And so we pray….

Prayer

Lord, grant us wisdom. Teach us how to value, maintain and defend our peace.