Toolkit for Members of the Clergy

Disaster Relief Information from SAMHSA

• Coordinating Crisis Counseling Services in the Rural Community
• Psychological First Aid for First Responders - Brochure of tips on psychological first aid and managing intense emotions for emergency and disaster response workers
• Alcohol and Substance Abuse Indicators - Informational sheet for first responders on possible alcohol and substance abuse indicators
• Tips for Managing and Preventing Stress - A guide for emergency and disaster response workers
• Links to resources - Additional resources for responders and relief workers regarding mental health, stress management, and PTSD

National Health Ministries

• Serious Mental Illness - A brief guide to mental illness geared toward Presbyterians. Includes tips on congregational response to mental illness and links to additional resources.
• Awareness Packet - Publication previously used to coordinate a Mental Illness Awareness Day. Includes more detailed information on serious mental illness, suicide prevention and awareness, and suggested scripture readings.

Community Mental Health: The Role of Church and Temple

• Research on the Churches and Mental Health (Chapter 34) - Research designs, institutional experiments, suggestions for further research and suggestions for additional reading
• The Therapeutic Opportunity of the Clergyman and the Congregation (Chapter 10) - A look at the therapeutic roles to be played by the Clergyman and the congregation
• Functions of Community Clergy with the Emotionally Disturbed (Chapter 16) - Tips on how to better serve the emotionally disturbed
• Community Mental Health: The Role of Church and Temple - Provides information and opinion on the development of the community mental health program

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

• The Role of First Responders in Preventing Suicide - Publication geared toward emergency medical technicians and firefighters, whose information may also be used by pastors
• SPRC- Website with information for all in the prevention of suicide

Faith-Based Mental Health Information from SAMHSA

• Ministry, Mental Illness, and Communities of Faith - Fact sheet with ideas and resources to help build bridges between faith communities and people who have mental illnesses
• Faith and Spirituality - Information and resources to help faith-based communities increase their awareness of mental health issues.  

Bright Tomorrows

• Pastor to Pastor Consultation Service - Information on opportunities geared toward pastors to learn about mental heath related topics.
• Straightening Crooked Paths, Brightening Dark Paths - An enlightened account of change while being challenged with bipolar disorder.
• Preacher in a Dungeon - Meditative helps for Christians dealing with chronic mood fluctuations.
• Bright Tomorrows - Organization aimed at "Mobilizing the Church to better serve those with mental health concerns"

Articles

• "How Important Is Intrinsic Spirituality in Depression Care?"
• "Assessing African American Spirituality with Spiritual Ecomaps"
• "Roles for the Black Pastor in Preventive Medicine"
• "Mental Health Services in Faith Communities: The Role of Clergy in Black Churches"
• "Challenges to Sanctuary: The Clergy as a Resource for Mental Health Care in the Community"
• "The Integral Role of Pastoral Counseling by African-American Clergy in Community Mental Health"
• "Psychology and the Church: An examplar of Psychologist-Clergy Collaboration"
• "The Parish Clergy as a Mental Health Reource"
• "Unique Contributions of Churches and Clergy to Community Mental Health"
• "The Clergy as a Resource for those Encountering Psychological Distress"
• "The Role of the Clergy in Community Mental Health Service: A Critical Assessment"
• "Judeo-Christian Clergy and Personal Crisis: Religion, Posttraumatic Growth and Well Being"
• "An Interview with Rev Bruce Davenport of St. John #5 Church, New Orleans"
• "Video: An Interview with Rev Bruce Davenport of St. John #5 Church, New Orleans"

Depression

• "Clergy Fight Katrina Depression" (United Methodist TV)

Nebraska Ecumenical Disaster Response Network

• Credentialing Application
• Distinctions Between Local Clergy and Trained Chaplains
• Liability Issues
• Disaster Chaplain Code of Ethics and Guiding Principles
• Disaster Chaplain Practice Scope