In the United States, almost half of adults (46.4 percent) will experience a mental illness during their lifetime. When families are struggling with mental health conditions the first place they call is the church, yet churches are often lacking the information and resources needed to help. 

Gethsemane Lutheran in Austin is launching a Mental Health Ministry Plan thanks to a $10,000 grant from the ELCA. Gethsemane will host twelve workshops over the next year and a half covering a variety of mental health topics for both adults and children. The first “kickoff” event will be a 4-hour workshop to inform and support people who have friends or family with a mental health condition on Saturday, November 16th from 1-5 p.m. at Gethsemane Lutheran in Austin led by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

In addition, all Southwestern-Texas Synod clergy and their church leaders are invited to attend one of two mental health training conferences led by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at Gethsemane Austin on January 9 & 25, 2020 to learn the tools needed to support mental health in congregations and facilitate an environment that is knowledgeable, open and supportive of individuals and families dealing with mental health issues.

Photo Caption (photo attached): Grant proposal writers (left to right) include Gethsemane Austin members Elizabeth Kite, Alice Bassett, Pastor Susan Schnelle, Karalyn Heimlich and Glenda Holmstrom.