Rev. Alan Johnson
Starting a Mental Health Spiritual Support Group
Description
One of the significant programs which congregations can provide is a safe and sacred setting in which persons who are affected by mental health challenges can find support. Stigma prevents many from finding help and isolation is a sorrowful consequence. This workshop will offer specific steps to start a spiritual support group as well as address the questions which come up.
Workshop Leadership
Rev. Alan Johnson is an ordained UCC clergy who retired as chaplain at The Children’s Hospital (TCH), Denver. He had been a pastor for 14 years in churches in Connecticut and New York City, been on the national staff of the United Church of Christ for 16 years, and now for 11 years, he has volunteered in the field of mental health. He is a co-founder of the Interfaith Network on Mental Illness and serves as Chair of the United Church of Christ Mental Health Network.