
National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding
NAMI NH Contact: Claudia Ferber - Email - 603.225.5359 ext. 13
The National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding will be observed on Tuesday, October 4, 2011. Mental illness networks and faith leaders are urged to work together so that they recognize and prepare for this day in a way that works best for each faith community. The prayers and actions of both faith communities and secular organizations are needed to restore mental wellness in America. By seeking God’s guidance we can recommit ourselves to replacing misinformation, blame, fear and prejudice with truth and love in order to offer hope to all who are touched by mental illness.
On this page you will find resources, suggested activities/events and other materials to assist you in this “Ministry of Mental Wellness.” We believe it will help your faith community reach out to those in need of healing. We would love to hear what your faith community plans to do to observe the Day of Prayer. Please email the details to us.
Ministry of Mental Wellness
From NAMI FaithNet
- Prayer is the first step toward opening our hearts and minds.
- Reminds us that we are part of a larger world of healing, love and care.
- Partnerships between secular groups and faith communities are a force to be reckoned with!
Celebrating National Day of Prayer
- Develop a team to plan for the Day
- How to Rate your Faith Community ~ this exercise will be helpful in developing a plan
- Plan one event or activity – decide what works best for your faith community
- Utilize the NAMI NH website and the FaithNet website
- Make use of the technical assistance available through NAMI NH - contact Claudia
- News Release – can be used for bulletin or newsletters
- Standing with Her in the Rain ~ article for a newsletter or handout
- Resources
- Help Fight Stigma
- Multi-Faith Mental Health Ministry Resources
- Reaching Out to Faith Communities ~ a four-part training curriculum provided by NAMI FaithNet to encourage and equip NAMI members to engage with and share their story and NAMI resources with local faith groups.
- What You Need to Know About Mental Illness
NAMI NH will help you get the word out by including the event/activity on our Calendar of Events and our eNewsletter. Please limit your announcement to 50 words or less: include name of event/activity, date, time, location, contact person and contact information.
Suggested Activities/Events
Mental Illness Awareness Week Prayer (MIAW Prayer)
Ideas for how to use the MIAW Prayer
- Print the MIAW Prayer in your bulletin and ask faith community members to recite it at noon on Tuesday, October 4th. If they are going to do this, please ask them to send an email to cferber@naminh.org. We would love to capture the total number of individuals who participate.
- Recite the MIAW Prayer at your weekly worship or at a service on Tuesday the 4th. If you choose this option, please let us know how many individuals (an estimated number) participated via email to cferber@naminh.org.
Bulletin Board or Resource Table
- Create a bulletin board or resource table at the entrance of your place of worship. Materials such as posters, National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) booklets, NAMI pamphlets, etc. can be obtained from NAMI NH.
- A NAMI NH representative may be available to serve as a resource at the table for a designated time.
Please submit requests for materials or a NAMI NH representative to Claudia.
Presentations
NAMI NH offers anti-stigma presentations. Click the links below for detailed information.
In Our Own Voice
Life Interrupted
Presentation requests can be made online from each respective page. All requests must be submitted on or before September 4, 2011.
Book Study Group/DVD Presentation
- Plan to show a DVD on mental illness and follow up with a discussion. NAMI NH can provide you with suggestions for a movie and discussion questions.
- Schedule the activity for Tuesday, October 4th or any other day during MIAW week (10/2 ~ 10/8).
- Utilize NAMI NH staff and volunteers to assist with the discussion portion of the activity. Submit requests to Claudia on or before September 5, 2011.
Worship Services
NAMI NH is providing the following materials developed by FaithNet for your convenience.
Sermons
NAMI NH is providing the following materials developed by FaithNet for your convenience.
For additional samples, please visit FaithNet.
Support
Education
Advocacy

