Mental Health Ministry

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28

Mental Health and Wholeness

Scripture tells us that “nothing can separate us from the love of God” (Romans 8:38-39) and we are to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). We believe that “no person deserves to be stigmatized because of mental illness.” (Social Principles, ¶162.X) We are called to offer compassion and healing to those who suffer, as well as work to remove stigmas around mental health. The information provided below seeks to to help those experiencing mental illness and promote good mental health for all people.

Supporting mental and emotional wellness are year-round priorities. In May, we encourage you to practice self-care. If you have a hard time practicing self-care, think of it as receiving care from God.

tell me more I'M IN CRISIS NOW Resources

Seeking Mental Wholeness

Try one or more of the following practices to reduce the hurry, fill yourself, and tend to your soul.

Silence and Solitude: Daily, intentional, quiet time to be alone with God and your own soul

The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." (Mark 6:30-31)

The disciples were dead tired after weeks of kingdom work, so tired they didn’t have a chance to eat. Imagine Jesus is inviting you to rest. How would you respond?

What would it look like to welcome the quiet?

If you don’t already do so, carve out some intentional time in quiet to be alone with God and your own soul. If you are unsure how to find the time, consider limiting screen time, consumption of the news, and social media.

St. John of the Cross once said, “What we need most in order to make progress is to be silent before this great God… for the language he best hears is silent love.”

Simplicity: Intentionally living with and doing less, making space for more of what we most value before God

The practice of simplicity is a lifestyle, and when exercised properly, it influences everything from the activities we take on, to how we spend our money, and what we give our time to.

What are ways you might simplify in order to make more space for yourself and God's care in your life?

Slowing: Practicing living at a slower pace

When is the last time you deliberately chose to slow down?

This could look like creating “speed bumps” in your routine - maybe with a leisurely walk, intentionally driving the speed limit, or taking time to really notice the world around you.

(Practices listed above are discussed in depth in The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer. Comments and questions based on the book are provided by Rev. Pavielle Jenkins.)

Mental Health and Faith

UMC Social Principles statement on Mental Health

Faith & Facts: Health and Wholeness (from UMC Church and Society)

FUMCR Stephen Ministry

A Stephen Minister can provide one-to-one confidential Christian caregiving as you process your feelings and move forward. Email if you have questions or would like to consider requesting a Stephen Minister.

Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention

We believe God is all knowing and loves unconditionally. God cares about you, does not judge you based on your mental health, does not condemn you because of your illness or suicidal thoughts/attempts. God knows your suffering and your pain and walks with you on your journey through this darkness, even if you can’t feel God’s presence.

If you are considering suicide or harming yourself, please use any of the contacts listed below right away.

• Call 988. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. The Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 200 local crisis centers, combining custom local care and resources with national standards and best practices.
• Visit 988lifeline.org
• Text HOME to 741741 in the US to reach the Crisis Text Line, a free, confidential resource available 24/7. A trained crisis counselor will respond to you with support and information.

Support Following Suicide Loss

Information & FUMCR Support Groups

Resources & Training

Mental Health First Aid Training - online resource • Watch the recordings of training here

Mental Wellness Resources from the North Texas Conference of the UMC - general resources, children & youth, housing, LGBTQ+, providers/support groups, screening tools, seasonal influences, and phone numbers

The Grant Halliburton Foundation offer resources including articles, short video lessons for youth (coping with stress, supporting peers, mindfulness) and adults (recognizing mental health crisis, talking to teens, cabin fever, stress), and a mental health help line (972.525.8181, Monday - Friday, 10 am - 6 pm) as well as Here for Texas, a program that connects Texans to information and resources for mental health and addiction, and Ten Things Parents Can Do to Prevent Suicide.

Now Matters Now - Online skills training videos to help teach emotional regulation

Mental Health Reset: Striving for Stability from US News & World Report

National Alliance on Mental Illness

National Alliance on Mental Illness North Texas

Grant Halliburton Mental Health Education Programs

ACE - Ask. Care. Embrace. Identify Risk. Prevent Suicide. (Columbia Lighthouse Project)

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
  •  Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty
•  Risk Factors and Warning Signs - Talk, Behavior, Mood.
•  How to Save a Life - Know what to look for. Know what to do. Know where to get help.

Talk Saves Lives community-based presentation covers the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to fight suicide. Attendees will learn the risk and warning signs of suicide, and how together, we can help prevent it. Presenter: Terri Hartman (terri1913@gmail.com / 214.797.3511).