Samaritan therapist Doug Bisbee and development director Lisa Strandberg were super-excited to meet this morning with Beth Clay, executive director of the NEW Mental Health Connection, and DaNita Carlson, Wood Co. public health educator, to share news of our growing Mental Health Ministry Initiative. DaNita is dreaming about doing similar work in her neck of the woods.

The Mental Health Ministry Initiative, a collaboration of Samaritan, NAMI Fox Valley, the NEW Mental Health Connection, LEAVEN and others, aims to equip faith leaders to minister effectively to the mental health of those in their care. The movement in our community is to bring mental health education, awareness, early intervention and treatment to folks where they find themselves every day — schools, workplaces, faith communities and the like.

This work wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Basic Needs Giving Partnership Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, supported by the J. J. Keller Foundation, the U.S. Venture Fund for Basic Needs, and other community partners. The Cathryn Probst Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region also underwrites this work. Thank you, partners! Good luck, Wood Co.!

Come and be a part of it! The Mental Health Ministry Initiative will host Creating Hope: Understanding Trauma for Faith Leaders from 8 a.m. to noon on Thurs., May 26. Could be the best, most impactful $45 and four hours you spend this year.