The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59333

Carolyn H Mason, MS, RN, Department of Nursing, Miami University, 1602 Peck Blvd., Hamilton, OH 45011-3399, 513-829-1065, masonch@muohio.edu

The U.S. Surgeon General reports that each year one in five persons will experience a mental illness requiring treatment. Butler County, Ohio has a population of 330,000. Annually, 66,000 persons will need mental health treatment. Many people turn to their place of worship for emotional and spiritual support when experiencing mental distress. Consequently, faith-based organizations are often presented with people experiencing mental illness. Many times these organizations lack the personnel, knowledge or skills to help their members or those seeking help at their door. A Butler County, Ohio agency caring for the chronic mentally ill is also experiencing several needs. They are facing the loss of funding from the state, failure to pass a much needed mental health levy, increased numbers of people needing help, and a growing population in the county. This agency needs more local support to help those with mental illness. The aim of this study is to show collaborative ways that a mental health agency and local faith based organizations can support each other. Collaborative partnerships and openness to creatively meet the needs of the emotionally ill are needed in this time of economic shortfall. Data comes from a countywide survey of faith-based organizations. The survey assesses the needs of the faith-based community and potential ways they can support the mental health agency. Cooperation of the two groups would benefit the chronic mentally ill. Preliminary data will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of this session participants will:
• 1. Discuss the benefit to the chronic mentally ill when there is cooperation between a mental health agency and the faith-based community.
• 2. Identify ways that mental health agencies can help the faith community support their members with mental health needs.
• 3. Recognize the ways that the faith-based community could support a mental health agency.

Keywords: Faith Community, Mental Disorders

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.