Home, Faith, Hope & Good Mental Health

Faith, Hope & Good Mental Health ministry helps restore hope

for people affected by mental health challenges.

We help faith communities and faith-based organizations learn how to support people who have mental health concerns. Every year, one out of five people experiences a mental health challenge. Others may be facing the isolation of loneliness. The pain of loss, or the sadness of grief can be overwhelming. Over time and without help, these mental health concerns can cause people to withdraw, fall into despair and lose their joy in living. Faith communities can be sources of real support during these difficult times.

Restoring Wholeness is a curriculum produced by Faith, Hope & Good Mental Health which addresses mental health concerns while providing opportunities to discover new insights about one’s faith journey.

Our Goal:
Compassionate Care

Educating faith leaders to understand mental health challenges is one step toward providing compassionate care. Another step is equipping individuals with the skills to relate to those who are struggling.

The long term goal is to help people find meaning in difficult situations. By addressing mental health challenges, we can create responsive, compassionate individuals and caring communities.

Our Curriculum:
Restoring Wholeness

Restoring Wholeness: Spiritual Support for Mental Health curriculum has a unique method to create support groups that listen to concerns of the heart and attend to matters of the soul.

Group leaders learn how to use spiritual practices to help participants find relief and inspiration. Those who participate may find that their hope returns and their faith is restored. Even in the midst of struggle they can recover a sense of wholeness.

What is Wholeness?

A sense of wholeness grows as we find meaning and purpose in our lives. It is more than the body, mind, and spirit. It is more than wellness. Wholeness is grounded in a deep connection with God, in the willingness to recognize and receive God’s grace.

Those times when we feel mentally, emotionally, or spiritually unwell can be times when we are more open to God’s presence. The core of this curriculum is based on spiritual practices. These include mindfulness, stillness, reflection, imagination, and blessing. This approach can create a sense of wholeness. We discover that we can thrive again.

At the end of the series, participants knew that they were not alone in their struggles…

Pastor Julio C. Peña, Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, Chicago

Restoring Wholeness curriculum provides a flexible structure within which people can experience both a connection with themselves and with others.

Korin Isotalo, Retreatant

Rev. McNair’s groundbreaking work in developing Restoring Wholeness small group model has been an inspiration to a variety of faith leaders…

Robert Skrocki, past President of Interfaith Mental Health Coalition

Meet the Author

Rev. Kathy Dale McNair is ordained in the Presbyterian Church, USA and focuses on how faith can support mental health. She founded the ministry, Faith, Hope and Good Mental Health (FHGMH) which is based, in part, on her work with NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. She was on the national NAMI FaithNet board, a division of NAMI which encourages faith communities to be welcoming to those struggling with mental health challenges.

The FHGMH ministry team has created a curriculum called Restoring Wholeness. It invites people of faith to explore challenging times in their lives and look for where elements of faith can be supportive during mental health challenges. Rev. McNair consults with faith communities and speaks about the importance of faith in supporting good mental health as well as mental health challenges.

Rev. Kathy Dale McNair

We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection.

Brené Brown

Some Restoring Wholeness: Spiritual Support for Mental Health themes are:

How to uncover blessings in difficult situations

How peace can relieve the burden of anxiety

How spiritual comfort can help overcome depression

The Tree of Life

is our symbol for Faith, Hope and Good Mental Health. In many faith traditions, the Tree of Life is seen as a source of wisdom. In Proverbs 2:2 we are encouraged to turn our ears to wisdom and apply our hearts to understanding. Our life’s span can be traced in this tree motif. From the beginning, we grow and mature and reach out for those things that are life-giving. The Restoring Wholeness curriculum offers opportunities to listen to our lives, to let our lives speak. It can deepen our understanding of ourselves and provide an opportunity to meet others on their life’s journey. All the while, we can grow in knowledge and wisdom.

The detailed, thoughtful, and thorough guides for both participants and leaders are wonderful roadmaps. The parameters that are set forth to create a safe space where participants can explore their own truths are very realistic and practical.

– Korin Isotalo

Restoring Wholeness Curriculum

The Restoring Wholeness curriculum offers opportunities to listen to our lives, to let our lives speak. It can deepen our understanding of ourselves and provide an opportunity to meet others on their life’s journey. All the while, we can grow in knowledge and wisdom. We find companions for the journey and rest for our souls.

The detailed, thoughtful and practical guides are wonderful roadmaps. The parameters set forth create a safe place where participants can explore their own truths. The core of this curriculum is based on spiritual practices. These include mindfulness, stillness, reflection, imagination, and blessing. This approach can create a sense of wholeness. We can discover that we can thrive again.

Learn More

info@fhgmh.org
224-255-2168

Faith, Hope & Good Mental Health
PO Box 112
Glenview, IL 60026

Faith, Hope & Good Mental Health is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization providing resources, training, and support to individuals and faith communities. We help people affected by mental health challenges find hope and support through connection with others. We provide small group curriculum, workshops, presentations and other useful tools for a compassionate, mental health ministry.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

DONATE TO FAITH, HOPE & GOOD MENTAL HEALTH

We hope you will consider a tax deductible gift to Faith, Hope & Good Mental Health so that we may continue to create resources for our faith communities. Your donation goes to providing materials, resources, videos, educational events, and ongoing support for those seeking help with mental health issues. Faith, Hope & Good Mental Health is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Any size gift is most appreciated. You will receive a letter acknowledging your contribution for your tax records. Please Contact Us for more information.

Disclaimer

All content found in the Restoring Wholeness: Spiritual Support for Mental Health curriculum, on the Faith, Hope & Good Mental Health website, including text, images, audio, video, or other formats were created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in these materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency room, or call 911 immediately.