role of mental health coach

Role of the Mental Health Coach in the Church

Matthew Stanford, Ph.D.

Summary This presentation will take a deeper look at the role of a peer mental health coach in the local church. It looks at problems and myths surrounding people with mental health problems. The mental health coach is a conduit in the faith community to help the mentally ill and their families, preventing them from falling through the cracks. This ministry follows the steps of recognizing a mental disorder, referring the individual for care, relating to the individual by creating meaningful connections, and restoring by providing direction and support. Matthew Stanford walks viewers through where to start to establish the role of a mental health coach in a local faith community.

Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will look more at the role of a Peer Mental Health Coach in the local church 2. Participants will learn the 4 R’s of ministry 3. Participants will learn how to build a professional network 4. Participants will be able to break myths regarding individuals with mental illness

I.

The role of the mental health coach in the local church A. Gatekeeper Model 1. Gatekeepers: Individuals that are likely to engage someone with a mental healthcare problem first • These could be: pastor, nurse, teacher, police officer • The gatekeeper will recognize that the mental problem exists and that they will refer that person onto professional care • Problem: a gatekeeper often does not know how to open the gate or where to send people B. Statistics 1. 66% of pastors say they never talk about mental health issues

2. 25% pastors said they don’t want to work with mentally ill, take too much time

3. 30-40% of individuals with a mental illness encounter a negative interaction in a church •

Their illness is over-spiritualized and categorized as a spiritual issue like personal sin

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Mental health issues should be treated no different from other illnesses like cancer or diabetes

C. Where do the mentally ill go for help?

1. Most churches do not have equipped ministry staff and congregants that help people get the care they need in a place to grow spiritually and recover more fully.

2. Most individuals suffering from a mental disorder end up bouncing around from one ministry to the next 3. There must be a model in place to prevent the mentally ill from falling through the cracks

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If a person’s issue is mental health related or more than a church staff member or congregant can handle, the mental health coach should be contacted

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All ministry leaders in the church should know how to contact the mental health coach

II.

The 4 R’s of ministry A. There are 4 things a mental health coach will be trained to do: 1. Recognize 2. Refer 3. Relate 4. Restore

B. Recognize 1. Evaluate •

Determine if the individual has a mental health care problem

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Determine how serious it is

2. Assess •

Assess for the possibility of danger – suicidal thoughts and risky behaviors

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Assess for level of distress - when to bring in professional provider

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Assess for level of functioning – self-care, problem solving, ability to maintain relationships

C. Refer 1. Establish a starting point for care •

Is professional care needed?

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Now or maybe later?

2. 4 Reasons to make a referral •

The person is a danger to themselves or others

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The person is actively misusing alcohol and/or drugs

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The person has an untreated mental disorder or mental health has declined significantly

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The needs go beyond your training of offering supportive care

3. The 3 A’s - Barriers to accessing professional care •

Accessibility – develop referral list within short distance of faith community/the individual’s home, Telehealth

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Affordability – insurance, check the church’s Benevolence Fund

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Acceptability – lots of stigma and shame associated with mental healthcare problems

4. Building a professional network •

Update a referral list at least once a month

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Be prepared

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Ask for recommendations from mental health care providers within the local church

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Contact the references

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Include a variety of facilities

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Collaboration

5. Collaboration •

A referral list should only contain professionals the mental health coach has met and vetted

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Ask questions: referral process, insurance, specialties, recommendations, clientele, payment, willingness to collaborate

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A human is a multi-faceted being, as is the care needed

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Have release of information on file

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The more people surrounding and supporting an individual with a mental disorder, the better

6. Where to refer to?

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Different situations call for one or more referrals

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Pastoral care

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Lay counseling ministry

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Mental health care professional

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Individual mental health coaching

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Specialized church ministries

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Support groups

D. Relate 1. Create a meaningful connection 2. Break stigmas and myths: • • • • •

Mental illness are not real illnesses Mental illnesses do not occur in the church People with mental disorders are violent and unpredictable Mental disorders are the result of personal sin and people can just snap out of it and pray more People with mental disorders do not need to take medication

3. Education church leaders 4. Remember the family 5. Mentality: not us and them, continuum not buckets

E. Restore 1. Provide spiritual direction and support 2. Develop healing community driven by grace, love and comfort 3. Reveal Christ in an effective way 4. Start with hope 5. Normalize mental health disorders 6. Encourage the church to be concerned about mental health issues

III.

Conclusion A. Recognize – evaluate and assess B. Refer – establish starting point for care C. Relate – create meaningful connections and break stigma D. Restore – provide direction and support, sanctification process