How faith leaders can promote mental health

Mental Health Toolkit for Faith and Community Leaders

Faith and community leaders can use this Toolkit to understand mental health needs, how to access mental health resources, and concrete actions to take immediately and year-round to support yourselves and your communities.

This toolkit was developed as a conversation between faith leaders, including the Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY) and New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS), and the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health. Throughout, NYDIS offers information on how mental health challenges may manifest in faith communities during and following a disaster, and the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health provides information on free mental health resources available to help.

Download the toolkit here

For additional strategies and resources, download our guide on supporting your faith community through grief and loss. Download Strategies & Resources to Cope with Grief & Loss in Faith Communities.

Faith leaders can also watch a webinar on how to support your community through grief, create spaces for healing, and connect community members in need to mental health services. Watch a webinar on promoting mental health in the face of bereavement.

 


Trauma support in communities: Understanding trauma & trauma-informed strategies for faith leaders 

This guide for faith leaders shares information about how trauma affects people and communities, as well as resources that work to help those experiencing trauma. Download the guide here.

Webinars on trauma support for Black, Brown, and interdenominational faith leaders 

The following series of webinars for Black and Brown faith leaders across New York City provide an overview of the science on how trauma affects individuals and communities, strategies for faith leaders to help address trauma in the communities they serve, and information about trauma resources available to support communities and faith leaders.

Watch the webinars below:


Webinars on the role of faith communities in promoting mental health following a disaster

Join us for virtual conversations that bring together leaders from diverse faith traditions to discuss the lessons in the Mental Health Toolkit for Faith and Community Leaders, including strategies and resources to help faith leaders better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic may affect the mental health of your faith community. A partnership between the Interfaith Center of New York, New York Disaster Interfaith Services, and the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health, these free webinars also offer faith leaders an opportunity to support and learn from one another.

Pandemic grief & clergy self-care toolkit and panel discussion
This webinar includes an overview of the Toolkit and a moderated panel discussion on how trauma impacts grief and the unique importance of self-care during periods of grief.

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Mental health toolkit webinar for Christian leaders

This webinar includes a brief overview of the Toolkit and how to take action to support the mental health of your faith community during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a moderated panel discussion with emotional and spiritual care experts from the Christian faith tradition.
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Mental health toolkit and panel discussion for Buddhist & Hindu leaders
This webinar includes a brief overview of the Toolkit and how to take action to support the mental health of your faith community during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a moderated panel discussion with emotional and spiritual care experts from the Buddhist and Hindu faith traditions.
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Mental health toolkit webinar for Jewish leaders

This webinar includes a brief overview of the Toolkit and how to take action to support the mental health of your faith community during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a moderated panel discussion with emotional and spiritual care experts from the Jewish faith tradition.
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Mental health toolkit and panel discussion for African diaspora leaders
This webinar includes a brief overview of the Toolkit and how to take action to support the mental health of your faith community during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a moderated panel discussion with emotional and spiritual care experts from African Diaspora faith traditions.
WATCH NOW

Pandemic grief & trauma toolkit & panel discussion
This webinar includes an overview of the Toolkit and a moderated panel discussion on how trauma impacts grief and the unique importance of self-care during periods of grief.
WATCH NOW

Mental health toolkit and panel discussion for Muslim leaders
This webinar includes a brief overview of the Toolkit and how to take action to support the mental health of your faith community during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a moderated panel discussion with emotional and spiritual care experts from the Muslim faith tradition.
WATCH NOW