An Interview with LFCC's Youth Mental Health In & Outreach Team Leaders Elder Tia

By Dr. Monica Greene-Smalls

Turner & Sister Sheri-Ann Little

Tell us about the Youth Mental Health In & Outreach Team. When did this ministry start at LFCC?

We started developing and planning in the Fall of 2022 for the ministry to hold our first Youth Mental Health Summit (YHMS) on March 25th, 2023. importantly, study the Word of God to show thyself approved!

Q: What led you to start this ministry?

Sheri-Ann: God! I was attending a Youth Suicide Prevention Conference and as the statistics and conversations weighed on my heart, I heard God ask me, “If it saddens your heart, what are you doing about any of this in your community? How much longer will you use the gifts, education, and skills I have blessed you to have for man and a career while ignoring my people and my Kingdom?”

I immediately texted Elder Tia about the idea and without hesitation she said. “Let’s do it; our youth need it!” I don’t take her for granted because it is a blessing to have leadership that has vision and encourages vision. She could have easily said, “You’re not even on the Youth ministry team yet; serve on that for a year and then maybe we can talk about implementing your idea.”

Tia: Sheri-Ann was the catalyst for the launch, and I am grateful to God that she listened to Hisvoice and decided to walk in obedience. Ministry is a team effort! It’s all about a collection of God’s people coming together to walk out the assignments HE gives us. With that said, I was excited to hear that Sheri-Ann was willing to lay her gifts and help recruit others to lay their gifts at the altar for this purpose; to be used by God to help launch and support an area of void that existed in our ministry and community.

What is the ministry's mission and vision?

Our mission is to reduce stigma around mental illness and mental health treatment within the Church; promote that Theology & Therapy is a winning combination! Our vision is for every LFCC youth to know the importance of seeking God as the source and appropriate earthly support as a resource to be fully equipped for success in navigating life.

Thinking about the two Youth Mental Health Summits that you coordinated for LFCC in 2023, when were they held and what were the main themes of each summit?

The first was held on March 25, 2023. The focus was for LFCC youth to learn the warning signs of common mental health conditions (e.g. anxiety, depression), facts and statistics about them, and how to get help for themselves or a friend. Youth also learned there is a Biblical foundation for wellness and wise counsel. We had Coach’s Corner with Coach Cory, which was a panel with student athletes that discussed themes of adversity or injury, depression, faith, and resilience. Then the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) conducted their ‘Ending the Silence’ presentation, which included a youth speaker who shared her mental wellness journey.

The Second YHMS was held on September 30, 2023, for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The goal was to educate LFCC youth (primarily middle school and high school students) and their friends/family on the early symptoms of suicidal ideation, suicide prevention. They were also provided tips on how to seek and/or provide support, as well as with the Biblical foundation for mental health treatment and wellness. In the first session, the Harford County Core Service Agency - Harford County Office of Mental Health Suicide Prevention officers provided education on suicide and suicide ideation to the youth. In the second session, we hosted breakout groups for interactive conversation around self-harm, suicide ideation, and prevention. The groups were separated by age and were facilitated by active mental health professionals including psychologists, therapists and social workers. The parents also had their own session facilitated by the guest speakers. While the youth were in their interactive breakout sessions, the parents were simultaneously engaged in an honest and transparent discussion, which included personal testimonies.

What were some of the main takeaways that participants learned at each YMHS?

One key area of focus for both summits was that we provided them with information on coping skills and how to access resources should they experience any mental health challenge or crisis. They were provided with specific resources from numbers they could call or text in times of difficulty to a Bible Emotions Wheel with corresponding scriptures to wisely guide them in how to respond to the emotion. It’s important for them to understand they are not alone and that there are people available to provide support when life gets tough for them. This thread was woven throughout both sessions.

Another key item was to ensure that they had an opportunity to interact and engage. It’s important that we hear from them so they know their voices are being heard, that we value what they have to say, and they have the opportunity to support and learn from each other.

What are some of the ongoing activities in which you are engaged with the youth around mental health issues?

We will continue to hold Youth Mental Health Summits in the Spring and the Fall, but plan to add smaller events on a quarterly basis to provide youth with the opportunity to come together over dinner to talk about the challenges they face and learn coping skills. Our first Friday night event tackled communication. Youth learned the difference between passive, aggressive, and assertive communication styles, and how to use I-Statements to effectively express their feelings, thoughts, and experiences to advocate for themselves. We plan to tackle subjects like the impact of social media, teen dating violence and healthy boundaries, and financial and spiritual wellness. There is so much to talk about.