7/9/08 -- AJC Publishes Opinion Editorial, “Speak Out About Mental Health ‘Chaos’”

This Op-Ed highlighted the need for ordinary people to respond to an extraordinary need, much as Nehemiah did when he responded to God’s call to protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem. It urged Georgians to get involved, to volunteer time and effort to tackle the state mental health crisis. “It’s a moral call…make it yours.” Download the Article

11/19/08 – First FaithWorks Meeting Held

Senior Pastor Vic Pentz, Peachtree Presbyterian Church, and Dr. Branko Radulovacki, psychiatrist, hosted a 2-hour worksession with interested clergy and leaders of nonprofit organizations, including:

  • Dr. Joanna Adams - Senior Pastor, Morningside Presbyterian Church
  • Dr. Gerald Durley - Senior Pastor, Providence Missionary Baptist Church
  • Rabbi Ron Segal - Senior Rabbi, Temple Sinai
  • Ms. Ethel Ware Carter - Associate Director, Regional Council of Churches
  • Dr. Ann Howe - Program Director, Catholic Charities
  • Mr. Johnny Myers - Director of Outreach Ministries, Peachtree Presbyterian Church
  • Ms. Allison Mitchell - Director/Lazarus Ministry, Trinity Vineyard Church
  • Ms. Robyn Gruber - Director of Counseling, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church
  • Pastor Art Wilder - Associate Pastor, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church

Attorney Stan Jones, Partner at Nelson Mullins and a member of Governor Perdue’s Mental Health Services Delivery Commission, provided a political and legislative overview of the mental health crisis. Participants discussed strategies for mobilizing their respective faith communities in response.

1/6/09 – AJC Publishes Second Opinion Editorial, "Privatization Will Worsen State Mental Health Care"

This Op-Ed exposed the flaws in the for-profit privatization plan proposed by DHR Commissioner B.J. Walker, and offered a better solution. Shortly after it appeared, Commissioner Walker suspended the RFP (Request For Proposals) process seeking companies to privatize the state's psychiatric hospitals. Download the Article

1/12/09 – Presentation To Concerned Black Clergy Of Metropolitan Atlanta On The State Mental Health Crisis

Dr. Branko Radulovacki raised awareness regarding problems facing the state mental heath system and introduced the FaithWorks petition to Governor Perdue calling for specific solutions. Eric Spencer, Executive Director of NAMI Georgia, and Sarah Schwartz, Executive Director of Mental Health America of Georgia, also participated and called on the faith community to help address the needs of those with mental illness.

2/8/09 – Weekend Of Prayer For The State Mental Health Crisis

Churches and synagogues throughout metro Atlanta lifted up those with mental illness and sought God's blessing on efforts to address the crisis. Download the Prayer of the People offered by Reverend J. Allen Milner, Sr.

3/18/09 – Presentation To The Coalition For The Homeless Mentally Ill On The State Mental Health Crisis


The Carter Center/D. Hakes
 3/19/09 – Regional Council Of Churches Monthly Pastor's Breakfast Dialogue Addresses State Mental Health Crisis

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, long–time mental health activist, Dr. Thom Bornemann, Director of The Carter Center Mental Health Program, and Dr.Branko Radulovacki discussed our state mental health crisis at the Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta Pastors Breakfast Dialogue at Morningside Presbyterian Church.

4/8/09 – Presentation To Peachtree Presbyterian Stephen Ministers On State's Mental Health Reform Efforts

5/16/09 – Presentation At NAMI Georgia's Annual Conference

Dr.Branko Radulovacki presented FaithWorks' vision of galvanizing the faith community to help those with mental illness. There was significant enthusiasm for NAMI pursuing new initiatives to reach out to the faith community.

Fall 2009 – FaithWorks Presents To NAMI Affiliates

Dr. Branko Radulovacki addressed multiple NAMI Affiliate groups (Cobb, South Cobb, Northside) to raise awareness about and encourage participation in the effort to build partnerships with faith communities throughout Georgia.

11/19/09 – FaithWorks Mental Health Conference

FaithWorks' interfaith Conference for metro Atlanta clergy and faith leaders (including seminary students and Stephen Ministers of all denominations), held at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, was an unqualified success. The theme was "Faith, Family and Mental Health." The conference heightened faith leaders' awareness of mental illness, and educated them about numerous resources which can help them address congregational and community needs. Over 150 clergy, lay ministers and mental health advocates attended. Download the conference brochure that shows the depth and breadth of the day-long conference program.

Fourteen speakers led a valuable day of sharing and learning. Throughout the day, mental health advocates and faith leaders talked enthusiastically about common concerns. Download feedback from conference attendees. It's very encouraging -- and it confirms the desire for more dialogue between these two groups.

 

FaithWorks To Create A Spiritual Care And Counseling Team

In an effort to extend compassion and facilitate healing, a team of FaithWorks mental health providers and faith leaders will offer to meet with families of those who have lost loved ones in Georgia psychiatric hospitals.

FaithWorks To Publish Collaborative Book On Mental Illness

We want to hear from you. Submit an entry about the experience of dealing with mental illness -- as a consumer, family member or health care provider. Read more

Building Partnerships Between The Faith Community And Mental Health Advocacy Groups

FaithWorks' focus is broadening from addressing the state mental health crisis to energizing a mental health movement that builds partnerships between mental health advocacy organizations (such as NAMI and MHA) and faith communities throughout Georgia. The purpose of fostering these relationships is to minister to all those with unmet mental health needs -- whether by education, advocacy, providing resources and services, reducing any stigma, and/or empowering any who suffer with mental illness to seek and find help through their faith communities.

Date TBD – Meeting with Governor Perdue to discuss the state mental health crisis, FaithWorks' efforts to build partnerships between mental health advocates and faith communities throughout Georgia, and specific ways in which he might help expand this effort.
 

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