USCJ Review - Spring 2001

Creating Caring Communities

by Lois Goldrich

Editor's Note: In a previous issue of the Review, we discussed the need to make synagogues accessible to all -- including those with physical disabilities. Following publication of the article, several readers urged us to address the issue of mental illness as well, noting that the mentally ill, and their families, often receive a less than warm welcome from their synagogues. In the following section, we present basic information on mental illness as well as suggestions on how congregations can begin to address this issue. Much of the material has been supplied by the Mercer County (NJ) Mental Health Board Congregational Outreach Committee. Our special thanks to Judith Mecklenburger for her assistance. We also thank Review Editorial Board member Nancy Blake Lewis for her moving, thought-provoking, and deeply personal "sermon” reminding us that, as Jews, we are enjoined to reflect God's holiness through our actions.

The Mercer County Outreach Committee offers a presentation on mental illness -- designed specifically for congregations -- combining a panel discussion and a question-and-answer session. The panel includes people with mental illness, family members, and clergypersons who work with the mentally ill. According to program coordinators, congregations should host such a program for at least two reasons:

Mental illness affects members in every congregation; and
Stigma and ignorance deter many congregants with mental illness from seeking or getting help.

The Center for Mental Health Services has developed an Anti-Stigma Kit to educate the public, amplify the voices of people with mental illness, and eliminate negative images associated with it. The material contained in the kit encourages the use of positive images about people with mental illness and underscores the reality that mental illness can be successfully treated. The group asks the following questions:

Do you know that stigma is about disrespect, and that stigma is about the use of negative labels to identify a person living with mental illness?
Do you know that stigma is a barrier and discourages individuals and their families from getting the help they need due to the fear of being discriminated against?
Do you know that many people would rather tell employers they have committed a petty crime and were in jail than admit to having been in a psychiatric hospital?
Do you know that stigma results in families and friends turning their backs on people with mental illness?

Many of us do not know, yet it is vital that we inform ourselves about these issues. Religious communities are key in the ongoing health of persons who have long-term mental illnesses and who are striving to live full and meaningful lives in the community. What can we -- as individuals and as members of Conservative synagogues -- do to offer the support so essential to recovery?

In "Helping People with Serious Psychiatric Disorders," the Silver Spring Presbyterian Church outlines a number of caregiving initiatives for congregational members. Among other ideas, the group suggests the following:

When members are having serious mental or emotional difficulties, reach out to them. Keep in touch to show continuing concern. They may need you but feel embarrassed or afraid to ask for help.
Telephone and offer to visit, especially if the person is hospitalized or unable to leave home. If you feel uncomfortable about visiting alone, go with your rabbi or someone experienced in working with the mentally ill. Call back if the person doesn't feel up to a visitor on the day you telephone.
Suggest going for a walk or outing together. Learn beforehand and respect the person's limitations.
Time-limited visits may be less stressful.
Offer to help answer difficult correspondence and to do grocery shopping.
Celebrate holidays by helping the person decorate a hospital room or home. Include the person or family in your holiday festivities.
Offer books, magazines, taped music, videos, posters, plants, or home-baked items. Creating a warm, safe and caring environment is important to recovery.
If you are asked, talk about your daily activities, congregational events, mutual friends, or current events, taking cues from the person's response.
Let the person and the family know about community resources such as support groups, the Mental Health Association, community mental health centers, and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
Offer to help family members, such as a spouse, children, or roommate, by inviting them out occasionally. They also may appreciate having you to talk with or to give them a break in caregiving.
Talk about realistic and positive plans for tomorrow, next week and next year. Hope for the future is important. People can and do recover from the disabling affects of psychiatric disorders.

There are other things we can do as well. According to the National Mental Health Services Knowledge Exchange Network, we can resolve to learn more, urging our synagogues to sponsor programs about mental health and mental illness; we can monitor and insist on accountable media, recognizing that when people with mental illness are portrayed inaccurately, stereotypes become harder to change; we can obey the laws in the American with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination in all areas of public life; we can recognize and appreciate the contributions to society made by people with mental illnesses, whether in the arts or sciences, entertainment, sports, or medicine; we can treat people with the dignity and respect we all deserve; and we can think about the person -- the contents behind the label -- and avoid labeling people by their diagnosis.

As a religious community, we should take heed of the mission statement defining the goals of the Mercer County Mental Health Board Congregational Outreach Committee:

"Through the compassionate fellowship of churches and congregations, we seek to break the bonds of stigma and misunderstanding that surround those with mental and emotional difficulties. With education, awareness and sensitivity, we hope to create a welcoming community which embraces all people."

Their goals should be our own.

Leaarning More About Mental Illness

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
200 North Glebe Road, Ste. 1015,
Arlington, VA 22203
www.NAMI.org

Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS)
National Mental Health Services, Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN)
Anti Stigma Tool Kit
www.mentalhealth.org/stigma
P.O. Box 42490, Washington, DC 20015
1-800-789-CMHS (M-F 8:30am-5pm)
(TDD) 301-443-9006
Fax: 301-984-8796
www.mentalhealth.org
E-mail: ken@mentalhealth.org

Mental Health Board Congregational Outreach Group
Presentation panel developed by the Mercer County (New Jersey) Mental Health System for the faith-based community
1-609-989-6574