A Conversation for Those Standing at the Intersection of Faith and Mental Health |
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Everything and Nothing Has Changed |
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Last month, we began letting our friends and partners know of some changes here at Access Services. Among the changes we mentioned are a fresh new logo as well as a clearly collaborative tag line, Strengthening Communities. Another such shift is that Intersect has now been named the Christian Division of Access Services. For some, these announcements may together feel like a bit of whiplash. On the one hand, the shift in our logo from a cross to a plant looks like a distinction has been made between the Access of today and the organization founded in 1976 by Christian social workers. On the other hand, Intersect’s new status as the Christian Division of Access Services sounds like a leaning into that heritage. So, which is it? Well, both. To put it another way, everything has changed, and nothing has changed.
Everything has changed in that since 1976 Access has grown into an increasingly diverse organization. As an equal opportunity employer receiving government funding, we now have employees from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives serving individuals across 14 counties in Southeastern PA. At Access, one often sees people across all walks of life joining together to strengthen our communities. Another example of significant change for the organization came when Intersect was founded in 2017. Intersect is a unique service that supports people at the much-neglected intersection of faith and mental health through consultation, training, and fostering collaboration between faith communities and human service providers. Just as Access was undergoing changes related to its expanding workforce and scope as an organization, it was also experiencing the changes that came with newfound open doors to have a greater impact in the faith community than we’ve ever had before. Intersect’s new status as a Division of Access Services thus reflects its growing influence and burgeoning opportunities to collaborate with local faith communities, mental health services, universities, and foundations to expand and replicate its work into new communities and systems of care.
Intersect’s new status as a Division of Access Services thus reflects its growing influence and burgeoning opportunities to collaborate with local faith communities, mental health services, universities, and foundations to expand and replicate its work into new communities and systems of care. In all these ways, one could say... |
David Eckert, Senior Director of Intersect |
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| Save the Date!
Multi-Faith Coalition: Interactive Peace Event
Save the date to be a part of an enriching experience at the Multi-Faith Coalition's Interactive Peace event in September! We encourage participants to come with an open mind, a willingness to listen, and a readiness to build genuine relationships that bridge the gaps between us. Together, we can create a community committed to understanding, curiosity, and genuine connection. When: Wednesday, September 25, 2024 9:00AM to 2:30PM Where: Healthspark Community Event Venue 2506 N. Broad St., Suite 206, Colmar, PA 18915 Terrence L. Walton Room |
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| Updated Intersect Information and Training Guide
One aspect of Intersect’s mission is to provide training to faith communities and social service providers in order to equip them to support those with mental health struggles. We do this through a variety of workshops, addressing difficult topics such as Supporting People with Mental Health Struggles in Your Congregation or Community, Spiritual Tools and Resources for Practitioners, and Navigating Worldview Diversity. Check out our updated Intersect Information and Training guide that details our expanding list of available workshops to attend or host!
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Russell Moore Show:
An Update to the Anxious Generation with Jonathan Haidt |
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Social psychologist, Jonathan Haidt has recently written a book called The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. While not a person of faith, Haidt’s insights have been helpful to many within the faith community. Parents, pastors and youth ministry leaders have all witnessed aspects of what has come to be seen as a mental health crisis among our youth. In this interview, Russell Moore and Haidt discuss his book, the effects of the digital landscape, and the relationship between mental health and religion.
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Looking for a way to help those in your community? |
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| Understanding Homelessness
Many faith communities are seeking to understand how to best serve those impacted by homelessness. While spiritual care is crucial, the letter of James in the New Testament provides an important challenge to go further in our support when he writes, “If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, stay warm and be well fed,’ but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?” As a way of helping us take this next step of turning words into action, Access Services’ Housing and Homelessness service line is providing a resource to help the community understand homelessness and learn practical ways of providing support. During a time when the issue of homelessness has led to fierce and polarized debate, this resource will help you learn about the challenges on the ground facing those who are living outside.
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| Intersect Donation Page
Intersect now has their own donation page on the Access Services website. Any donations can be designated to specific aspects of Intersect. Funds will be used to: - Offer consultation to ministry leaders and mental health professionals
- Empower faith communities and mental health providers with trainings on faith and mental health
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Provide spiritual support and collaboration between faith communities and human service providers
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1. As a faith community, how could Intersect best support you in ministering to those in your congregation with mental health struggles?
2. As people of faith, what does is look like for you to live out your faith in a context where not everyone shares your beliefs and convictions? What challenges and opportunities come with this dynamic? |
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Do you have something to contribute or a question to ask? |
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| Intersect is brought to you by: |
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