Disciples, Apostles, and Saints,
Most of us don’t notice a mental health crisis until something happens. In our families, neighborhood, or church. At least when the one in crisis isn’t us.
There’s a chasm between the two, isn’t there? The one living it and the one on the receiving end—of discomfort or, as in our case, property damage.
As a church with a building downtown in a city with some of the highest rates of poverty, drug abuse, and homelessness in the state, whose homeless population is rising and mental health resources are not, I’m sure the first question we might ask is “what can we do about this?”
Our first step is always prayer. For our neighbors and community, health and joy. And part of prayer is putting that intention into action, learning about community resources and opportunities. Engaging with people who are suffering and with those who help them.
We must also look further down the metaphorical river. At the engines of mental illness, which includes poverty and homelessness. At the agencies at the community, state, and federal level that work with mental health, homelessness, employment, and poverty, and help increase their capacity to help our neighbors.
We need advocates and community engagement. To help the people who need assistance with their mental health now and to prevent the next crisis from building up.
With love,
Drew