Tend My Sheep: Providing Mental Health Care for Congregations & the Poor

1. Charles Suhayda, Ph.D. First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood Ana Wong-McDonald, Ph.D. The Salvation Army – Haven Tend My Sheep: Providing Mental Health Carefor Congregations & the Poor

2. John 21: 15-17 …Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. 2

3. John 21: 15-17 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. 3

4. John 21: 15-17 Once more he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” 4

5. Matthew 25:40 Jesus said: “Whatever you do for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you do it unto me.” (Paraphrased) 5

6. A Call to Social Righteousness Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked to cover him; and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light will break out like dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. And those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell. Isaiah 58: 6-8, 12

7. Call toseek the common good and peace of the community And seek the welfare (peace) of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare. Jeremiah 29:7

8. Call to provide extravagant care for the sick and the wounded Jesus replied and said, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went off leaving him half dead…But a certain Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him, and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his our beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two days salary and gave it to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you’.” Luke 10: 30-31, 33-35

9. Call to seek peace Seeking: Shalam, Shalom and Peace • Shalam---to be whole, sound, safe • Shalom---health, security, tranquility, welfare, harmony • Eirene---peace and rest. Such a state of peace is the object of divine and saving promise and is brought about by God’s mercy, granting deliverance and freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as a result of sin. • John 14:27---Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

10. Specific Actions Every child of God can help by… Raising awareness about mental illness Working toward stigma busting Lovingly accept people with mental illness

11. Specific Actions – Level I Steps that all churches can do: Pastoral counseling In specific cases, refer/collaborate with a mental health professional Incorporate mental illness into intercessory prayer time during worship service Preach on the subject Visit congregants with mental illness when they are in the hospital

12. Specific Actions – Level I Steps that all churches can do: • Publicize issues in church bulletin or newsletter • Advertise the National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness which is the first Tuesday in October. (Bulletin insert available at www.MentalHealthMinistries.net)‏ • Healing prayers and services for illnesses (e.g., Sacrament of Anointing the Sick) should include mental illness • Host an educational seminar with a mental health professional‏ • Invite individuals with mental illness to give testimonies of successful recoveries

13. Specific Actions – Level II Steps necessitating a coordinator or team • Hold NAMI groups in the church (i.e., support groups for people with mental disorders and their families)‏ • Expand existing services (e.g., meals for the homeless) to include outreach for people with mental illness • Have a specific outreach program for people with mental disorders (e.g., model by Lambert & Lambert , “Mental Illness and Faith Community Outreach”).

14. Specific Actions – Level II Steps necessitating a coordinator or team Address the specific needs of people with mental illness by having designated ministries (e.g., Shepherd’s class) designed specifically for them Stephen’s Ministries Structured counseling program (Refer to book, Lay Counseling, by S.Y.Tan)‏

15. Specific Actions – Level III Steps for a fuller continuum of social services • Model by Catholic Social Services of Lincoln, NE (Benes, Walsh, McMinn, Dominguez, & Aikins, 2000). • Indirect services (for prevention) include newsletters, mailings, workshops, and specific outreach (to schools, hospitals, etc.)‏ • Direct services (for remedial psychological evaluation and treatment) include crisis response, support groups, psychological assessment and counseling.

16. Video Creating Caring Congregations By Mental Health Ministries A five-step program for education, commitment, welcome, support, & advocacy. Handout is posted on conference website.

17. Example of a Level III Ministry Hollywood HealthCare Partnership

18. Ministry Context in Hollywood Hollywood is a regional, national and international destination point for tourists and those who relocate to Los Angeles seeking new opportunities and a fresh start in life. Hollywood is in the midst of a 40-yr urban redevelopment project, managed by the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) that is rapidly changing the infrastructure and social fabric of the community. First phase of redevelopment revived theater and entertainment venues, restaurants and nightclubs, and media production companies.

19. Ministry Context in Hollywood Second phase, new hotels and market rate and luxury housing units are under construction and in the planning phase. Many in Hollywood struggle to make ends meet: senior citizens living on social security, immigrant families from Latin America, homeless individuals, and those who are homeless because of health and mental health problems. We have adopted a strategy that has increased our effectiveness and connectedness to those entities in our city who serve these vulnerable populations, address relevant social issues, and work for the common good of all.

20. Strategy for Local Ministry at Hollywood Presbyterian Church To empower those we serve, to advocate with and for those in need, to network and form partnerships with agencies beyond the church, to shape public policy as it pertains to the common good, and to facilitate opportunities for our congregation to participate in community service activities in our city. To address the needs of the whole person: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.

21. A relational understanding of poverty(Bryant Myers, Walking with the Poor, Orbis Books, 2000)

22. Real Stories Mental health cases: Support & empowerment: Adam---USC student, homeless, bi-polar Jimmy---SSI, housed, schizophrenia Bob---Canadian, homeless, clinical depression, alcoholic Michael---Thai prison, extradition to US, homeless, schizophrenia Tony---homeless, schizophrenia, travel to NYC that never materializes

23. Protecting the Vulnerable Life insurance fraud and murder Medical fraud Arson attacks Civil rights---Jones vs. City of Los Angeles

24. Creating a Healing Environment Safe, comfortable place Hospitality Respecting human dignity Common civility, personal humility Gratitude Equality

25. Creating a Healing Environment Encouraging healthy relationships Mediating conflict Opportunities to volunteer/participate Listening, caring, loving Prayer individually and together Pastoral care

26. Example of aLevel III Ministry Hollywood HealthCare Partnership The Partnership is a collaboration between local community organizations to provide free medical, mental, spiritual, nutritional, and social services to the homeless and disenfranchised in Hollywood, CA.

27. Hollywood HealthCare Partnership VISION Develop an outreach program to reach homeless and disenfranchised in Hollywood Addressing physical, mental, and spiritual health, as well as case management Needed an alliance of health care and social services agencies

28. Hollywood HealthCare Partnership Forming alliance with core partners Physical Health: QueensCare Dept. of Health Services Verdugo Medical L. A. Midnight Mission (nutrition)‏ Mental Health: Behavioral Health Services Hollywood Mental Health

29. Hollywood HealthCare Partnership Forming alliance with core partners • Social Services/Case Management: Hunger Action Los Angeles Youth Link of America Gettlove U. S. Vets • Spiritual Health: Hollywood Presbyterian Church (venue for the program)‏ • Six core organizations present weekly; others present once/mo

30. Hollywood HealthCare Partnership Vision & Preparation: 2003 Implementation: 2004 Schedule and Structure: Time: Wednesday, 10:30 am - 12:15 pm Location: Fellowship Hall at the Church Hot Meal: Served from 11:30 am – noon Services: Available at partner booths Tangible Necessities: Free to attendees

31. Hollywood HealthCare Partnership Public Announcements: Letters & flyers sent to local agencies Service providers distribute flyers on street to homeless Community and professional presentations

32. Hollywood HealthCare Partnership Resources: Service providers contribute staff time & tangible goods Local agencies (e.g., dental society) give donations MOU with PATH enabled program to receive hygiene items Received 2 grants from Hollywood Rotary Foundation Received Christmas gifts (e.g., hats and gloves) from donors

33. Hollywood HealthCare Partnership: 2006 Client Survey 48 surveys collected over 2 Wednesdays in October Age range: 21 – 78 Average age: 45 Gender: 69% Males, 31% Females

34. Hollywood HealthCare Partnership: 2006 Client Survey • Ethnicity: 52% Caucasian 23% African American 25% Other • Heard about program through: 50% Word of mouth/friend 21% Church programs 14% Came before/Referral 15% Other

35. Hollywood HealthCare Partnership: 2006 Client Survey Came from: 73% Hollywood area (35)‏ 10% Los Angeles vicinity (5)‏ 17% Other Why come to outreach: 48% Food/lunch (23)‏ 28% For services (13)‏ 24% Other

36. Hollywood HealthCare Partnership: 2006 Client Survey Status of current housing: 60% Living on the streets (29)‏ 10% Living in car (5)‏ 10% Living with family/friends (5)‏ 10% Has own apartment (5)‏ 10% Other

37. Hollywood HealthCare Partnership: 2006 Client Survey Needs in order of importance: • Food • Housing • Healthcare • Transportation • Employment • Spiritual Care • Legal assistance

38. Hollywood HealthCare PartnershipSummary Started with 6 clients on Jan. 7, 2004 Attendance rose to 50 weekly in 2005 Started once/mo free give-aways in 2005 Gettlove provides grocery/hygiene items in Fall 2006 (a Gettlove bag given to each attendee weekly; the giving ceased in Fall 2008 due to budget constraints of Gettlove)‏ Today, average 100 clients/Wednesday Twice/mo yoga exercises with yoga instructor Monthly "10 Minute Talk" on public health topics Annual Christmas party with turkey luncheon and gifts

39. Hollywood HealthCare Partnership: Numbers of Persons Served Types of Services2004200520062007 Medical Care 430 950 950 1127 Mental Health 200 380 200 200 Employment 200 300 60 500 Soc Serv/Housing 700 1600 1000 1100 Tangible Goods 250 1350 2500 6000 Spiritual Support 400 450 150 125 Health Education 150 150 630 6000 Meals 2400 2400 3000 6250

40. Hollywood HealthCare Partnership: Outcome Over 20,000 persons served to date Over 5,500 received help in health care Over 6,500 received help in social services and case management Over 13,500 received free tangible items (e.g., groceries, socks, hygiene kits)‏ Hollywood HealthCare Partnership is the recipient of a 2005 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties

41. Hollywood HealthCare PartnershipFellowship Hall at the Church

42. Hollywood HealthCare PartnershipCoffee & Refreshments for Guests

43. Hollywood HealthCare PartnershipGuests at Christmas Program

44. Hollywood HealthCare PartnershipMidnight Mission Distributed Lunch

45. Hollywood HealthCare PartnershipAnnual Christmas Program

46. Hollywood HealthCare PartnershipStaff Distributing Christmas Gifts

47. Hollywood HealthCare PartnershipDept of Public Health Providing Services

48. Video Hollywood HealthCare Partnership

49. Questions & Discussions Charles Suhayda, Ph.D.First Presbyterian Church of Hollywoodcgsuhayda@gmail.com(213) 880-3261Ana Wong-McDonald, Ph.D. The Salvation Army – Havenana.wong-mcdonald@usw.salvationarmy.org(310) 478-3711, Ext. 43653

50. Thank you!