History:
Since the
beginning of time, we have seen and read about the grotesque
and inhumane "treatments" imposed upon people who experience
emotional / psychological distress. The history of advocacy
-- which literally means "speaking for another" -- is also
long, beginning with Clifford Beers' book "A Mind That Found
Itself," and Dorothea Dix, who attempted to help make mental
hospitals at least somewhat cleaner and safer.
Today:
Advocacy for
people who have experienced the mental health system is
still in its infancy, though it has been in existence in
various forms for decades. For a more detailed history, see
http://www.narpa.org/webdoc6.htm
Christ Episcopal
Church’s long support and advocacy for the “Social Club”
programs of meals and personal support for consumers and
staff of the Blue Ridge
Behavioral Healthcare Center (http://www.brbh.org/)
has established our parish’s commitment to community mental
health. Now, in the 21st century, our Public Ministry
Committee is engaging in active advocacy to improve and
quality and accessibility of care for mental health
consumers beyond our walls.
Our present
public ministry includes:
-
Rector Deborah Hunley’s service on a community mental
health ethics board.
-
Associate Rector Stephen Stanley’s service on the board
of the Mental Health Association of Roanoke Valley (MHARV),
and particularly its Advocacy Committee. MHARV sponsors
fundraising events, a community film series, an
anti-stigma campaign, family and children’s support
programs and legislative advocacy in the General
Assembly of Virginia.
-
Parish educational resources to be presented through
forums, newsletters and volunteer opportunities. (http://www.congregationalresources.org/MentalHealth.asp)
-
Support for the Episcopal Mental Health Network (http://www.eminnews.org/)
-
Continued parish support for our parish Social Club
members and volunteer staff.
-
Ecumenical cooperation is establishing a new concern for
at-risk and disadvantaged youth, who are often the least
served in current community mental health programs.
-
The Mental Health Association of the Roanoke Valley (MHARV)
is now affiliated with the Virginia Interfaith Public
Policy Center in Richmond, Virginia to monitor and
respond to mental health legislation in the Virginia
General Assembly.
For further
information please contact The Rev. Stephen Stanley,
sstanley@christchurchroanoke.org or 540-343-0159
