Care and Support, Church Support, Mental Health, Mental Health Ministry, podcast, #DATC2024, Advocacy, Catherine Boyle, Hidden Disabilities, Resources
Catherine Boyle
Beyond the Clinical Hour: An Interview with Dr. ...

Recently, Catherine had a conversation with Dr. Jim and Heather Sells, authors of the new book “Beyond the Clinical Hour: How Counselors Can Partner with the Church to Address the Mental Health Crisis.” Jim, Heather and their co-author Dr. Amy Trout offer a valuable resource to both mental health professionals and ministry leaders as a way to meet the heartfelt mental health needs impacting both churches and our culture. Take a listen to this thought-provoking conversation.

Beyond the Clinical Hour: An Interview with Dr. Jim and Heather Sells: Podcast Episode 097
#DATC2024, Care and Support, Church Support, Disability Ministry, Hidden Disabilities, Hope, Key Ministry, Special Needs Ministry
Joanna French
Internalized Ableism

“I am disabled. For years that was so hard to admit. I couldn’t mention out loud my neurodivergence. I whispered about my post-traumatic stress disorder, insisting ‘I’m better now.’ I was a champion for the disabled who didn’t want to talk about her own disabilities. It was disingenuous, but I didn’t know how to come to terms with the fact that I was disabled. I was still scared that admitting my disability publicly would convince people I was not able to do anything.” Joanna French writes on her experience with disability.

Internalized Ableism
#DATC2024, Care and Support, Culture of Life, Disability Ministry, Event, Families, Hope, Key Ministry, podcast, Worship
Beth Golik
A Conversation with Marie Kuck from Nathaniel’s ...

Beth sits down with the always delightful Marie Kuck, who has a special invitation for our listeners for a behind-the-scenes tour of Make ‘m Smile in Orlando. 

A Conversation with Marie Kuck from Nathaniel’s Hope: Podcast Episode 096
#DATC2024, Care and Support, Disability Ministry, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Leadership, Resources, Sandra Peoples, Special Needs Ministry, Strategies
Sandra Peoples
Inclusive and Engaging Teaching Models: Podcast ...

In today's episode, Sandra chats with Tracy McElhattan, PhD about how to apply universal design for learning principles to our children's ministry classes so everyone is included and engaged!

Inclusive and Engaging Teaching Models: Podcast Epsiode 095 with Sandra Peoples Tracy McElhatten
Key Ministry
Casting All Your Cares

Mary Underwood writes about her experience in the Philippines, and trusting God with all of your cares.

Casting All Your Cares

education

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Organic Friendships

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Organic Friendships

After all my years of teaching middle school special education, specifically a significant disabilities/autism class, you’d think I would have learned by now that some of my best-laid plans were the last things my students needed…especially when it came to making friends. I personally believe that many of the social skills activities I’ve done with my students and my own children have been a great benefit. Our kids need the training and support we provide through role-playing, social stories, and other activities, but at what point do we take our hands off and give control of those friendships to our kids?  Letting go of that control can be scary.

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Building Mental Health Awareness In Churches This October

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Building Mental Health Awareness In Churches This October

Two times of the year are devoted to building awareness about mental illness. In October, Mental Illness Awareness Week is October 4 – 10; October 10 is World Mental Health Day. The hope is that within these days, weeks, and months when we bring awareness, specifically through the Church, that we can reduce stigma and bring the Church to the forefront of conversations about mental illness.

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The State of Autism: Five Takeaways and Four Action Steps

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The State of Autism: Five Takeaways and Four Action Steps

Last month, I was invited to attend the Autism Speaks Thought Leadership Summit on Achieving Health Equity in Washington, DC. Much like Inclusion Fusion Live, it was one of those conferences where your mind is filled to overflow with information, generation of new ideas and new people you’d like to collaborate with on your work. Here are five takeaways and four action steps for churches and families.

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Five Stages of Spiritual Growth in Mental Illness

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Five Stages of Spiritual Growth in Mental Illness

I’d never wish the darkness of mental illness on anyone, but if it wasn’t for anorexia, bulimia, anxiety and depression, I don’t know if I would be a Christian today. There seems to be a pattern common to many Christ-followers who also live with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc. Here’s how I now characterize the five stages in my relationship with Christ, and the spiritual growth He worked through each stage to the next.

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Suicide and the Hope of the Church

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Suicide and the Hope of the Church

In the last four months, one significant and concerning trend I’ve noticed in social media conversations among ministry leaders has been the uptick in the need for suicide information. Reducing mental illness stigma and prevention are the techniques with the most impact. Here are some other approaches that may help.