Big Idea

• Anyone can experience a mental condition 
• September 6-12 is National Suicide Prevention Week
• World Suicide prevention Day is September 10
• One local church tackles the issue of mental health during their church service

Should mental health issues remain unspoken?

While September offers a huge list of health issues to focus on, ranging from Lice Prevention month to World Rabies Day, few are as urgent as National Suicide Prevention Week, and World Suicide Prevention Day. Closely related are National Recovery Month; National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month. 

The month of September is National Suicide Awareness Month. September 6-12 is National Suicide Prevention Week. World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10. In this era of COVID-19, the concern is that suicide rates may increase as people manage the challenges that come with a pandemic.

Additionally, September is National Recovery Month and National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month. 

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides a crisis line number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800.273.TALK (8255) for those that are in an emergency. Or you can text "NAMI" to 741741 for 24/7 confidential, free crisis counseling.

NAMI explains on their website,

While suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a dedicated time to come together with collective passion and strength around a difficult topic. The truth is, we can all benefit from honest conversations about mental health conditions and suicide, because just one conversation can change a life.

 NAMI has organizations across the United States, as well as locally.  In Arizona, the state organization is called NAMI Arizona and there is also an office serving Yavapai County. NAMI offers peer groups for family members, too. 

Can Christians experience mental health issues?

One local church is having such a conversation in their church today during their Sunday service. Since Prescott Cornerstone is still worshipping online, this discussion can be viewed by anyone, without even walking into a church.

People don’t typically think of Christians and the Church in the same thread as mental health. Yet, Christians can experience mental health trauma as easily as anyone else. Prescott Cornerstone’s Pastor Scott Savage promised that if anyone would make a t-shirt that said, “I need Jesus, and a therapist” he would wear it. 

Today, Prescott Cornerstone Church, during their online service that starts at 11 AM, speaks with a panel of therapists on the topic of, “Unspoken: Mental Health & The Church.” Working to create interactivity, despite the fact that they are worshipping online, viewers are encouraged to send in their questions (instructions given during the service) which can be responded to by the panel. 

How to watch? 

Unspoken: Mental Health and the Church, a Conversation with a Panel of Christian Counselors

Time: 11 AM, Sunday September 6th

Website Online: PrescottCornerstone.com/live

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prescottcornerstone

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/prescottcornerstone

If you miss the live online service, but still want to watch the discussion, an archive will be available within about a day.

Prescott Cornerstone will also be adding mental health resources to a dedicated page on their website: https://www.prescottcornerstone.com/mental-health/