This course is for clergy and laity who are serving persons with mental health issues. The two-week course will equip learners to engage those who suffer, battle, and overcome this misunderstood condition, destigmatizing the issue without simplifying it. Participants will explore what mental illness is and how it is experienced, will examine the complexity of response to those with mental illness, and will challenge biases toward those with mental illnesses.
Learners will need to obtain this book: Troubled Minds: Mental Illness and the Church’s Mission by Amy Simpson
This course is eligible for 1.0 CEU.
Quick Info:
Number of weeks: 2
Price: $75
CEUs: 1.0
Required books: Yes
Blackboard: Yes
Zoom: No
Certification or Series: No
Read course description for details.
New to BeADisciple?
Read how BeADisciple courses work
Price: $75
About the Instructor
Jasmine Ray-Simms was 14 years old when she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and in her early 20s was diagnosed with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder. She is high-functioning, though, and after being a stay-at-home mother for 20 years she earned a bachelor’s degree in social sciences with concentrations in sociology and psychology, then a master’s degree in organizational leadership.
She has been active in developing trainings and advocacy work, with the goal of destigmatizing mental illness and encouraging those who have or love someone with a mental illness.
Throughout her journey with severe mental illness she has had strong faith, and is a Certified Lay Minister, congregation life chair in her congregation, a member of the Abundant Health Team for the Oregon-Idaho conference, and on the mental health team of the Disability Ministries of the United Methodist Church, editing and writing for their newsletter.
Past Learners Said…
“”I just want to say that I have taken around 50 classes over the past 5 years, and I have never felt the opportunity to be as open about my own problems as much as I have in this class thus far. This reminds me that so many with mental illness are not comfortable discussing it, unless they feel they are in a safe environment. Thank you for creating that”
“This course was well organized, relevant, and loaded with material to take back to my congregation. I recommend both the textbook and course to anyone interested in opening minds and reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness.”
“This course is a great tool for developing awareness , connection, and learnings for reducing fear and stigma within our congregations where people living with physiological brain disorders should feel safe.”
