Accompanying persons experiencing mental illnesses and addictions
Broader and deeper than 'Mental Health First Aid,' the Churches Care program will help you and your church support individuals and families with knowledge, understanding, reduced stigma, and hands-on strategies to promote improved long-term positive mental health and sobriety.
25% of people who experience a mental illness in the U.S. say the first place they sought help was not a counselor's office, doctor's office, or clinic -- it was a local church. But many churches and church leaders say they are not adequately prepared to respond to these needs.
The Churches Care Program is an initiative that strengthens the ability of churches to support and empower individuals and families experiencing a mental health or addiction struggle. The program provides intensive training and support for churches, church leaders, and health professionals in churches, to increase their ability to support, assist, empower, and refer to effective mental health or addictions treatment, people in their congregations and communities who are in need.
This comprehensive program for church leaders (pastors, parish nurses, nurses, social workers/counselors or other lay leaders in churches) will strengthen churches in their support of people in their congregation or community who experience mental illnesses and addictions.
Church leaders receive 2.5-days of training on mental illnesses & addictions. (pastors, lay leaders, and church-connected health & mental health professionals)
18 hours of CEUs
for pastors, social workers/counselors & nurses
18 months of free professional clinical mental health and addictions guidance from a licensed counselor helps trained church leaders respond to individual needs that arise in their churches and communities.
Referral guidance, support strategies, and more.
Resources increase the knowledge of the entire church congregation.
Church/Health leaders receive a copy of the book Streetlights: Empowering Christians to Respond to Mental Illnesses and Addictions and other resources to educate their congregation.
Church Assessment and 1:1 consultation
This confidential congregational questionnaire helps each church identify areas of strength and areas for growth in how their congregation perceives the church is supporting people experiencing mental illnesses or addictions. Churches receive a confidential results report and in-person consultation to help them understand and respond to the results.
Participating church leaders connect with staff of local mental health and addictions treatment agencies, halfway houses, and support programs, to increase church leaders’ knowledge of local treatment resources, and their ability to refer and connect individuals in their church and community to effective treatment and support.
Networking with other churches to share resources and lessons learned.
Participating church leaders (pastors, lay leaders or health professionals) remain connected to others who've gone through the program, during and after the 18 months.
Janelle Bitikofer, MSW, LCSW is a mental health and addictions counselor and educator with more than twenty years of experience assisting individuals and families. She has worked in all levels of mental health and addictions treatment, from psychiatric hospitals and inpatient drug treatment programs to outpatient counseling and emergenc
Janelle Bitikofer, MSW, LCSW is a mental health and addictions counselor and educator with more than twenty years of experience assisting individuals and families. She has worked in all levels of mental health and addictions treatment, from psychiatric hospitals and inpatient drug treatment programs to outpatient counseling and emergency response services. Janelle is the Executive Director of We Rise International and the author of “Streetlights” a mental health and addictions guidebook for Christians. She has served in leadership roles in various churches since 1996.
Linda is the past Director of the RN-BS in Nursing program at Eastern Mennonite University Lancaster. She has 18 years of college-level teaching experience in nursing programs. Linda has worked internationally, serving under both Mennonite Central Committee and Eastern Mennonite Mission with the K’ekchi’ Maya people in Guatemala. Her wo
Linda is the past Director of the RN-BS in Nursing program at Eastern Mennonite University Lancaster. She has 18 years of college-level teaching experience in nursing programs. Linda has worked internationally, serving under both Mennonite Central Committee and Eastern Mennonite Mission with the K’ekchi’ Maya people in Guatemala. Her work as a community health nurse in Coatesville, PA led to the initiation of Bridge of Hope, Inc. a non-profit organization serving homeless women and children. Linda is also a trained spiritual director and leads retreats. She is involved in leadership roles at Laurel Street Mennonite Church .
Scott is a person in long term recovery from addiction. He is also a Certified Recovery Specialist and addictions educator. Scott is the Director of Recovery Environments at R3 Recovery Houses in Lancaster PA. He previously worked as a Recovery Support Specialist at the Center of Excellence Program at T.W. Ponessa and Associates Coun
Scott is a person in long term recovery from addiction. He is also a Certified Recovery Specialist and addictions educator. Scott is the Director of Recovery Environments at R3 Recovery Houses in Lancaster PA. He previously worked as a Recovery Support Specialist at the Center of Excellence Program at T.W. Ponessa and Associates Counseling Services in Lancaster, PA, an opioid treatment and recovery program. He is also a trainer for the GOAL PROJECT, a global organization that assists faith organizations and congregations to build sustainable addiction prevention or recovery support ministries. Scott is the chairperson for the Lancaster County Recovery Alliance, has been involved with the Lancaster County Drug and Alcohol Commission's Advisory Board, Project Lazarus Lancaster, Lancaster County Joining Forces, and is on the Board of Directors with the Elizabethtown area Communities That Care. He works with individuals to establish and maintain recovery from opioid and heroin addictions.
Churches Care Philadelphia (2-day Training March 19 and March 26, 2022)
Two Saturday workshops & follow up webinars
- Increase your knowledge and skills in responding to mental illnesses and
addictions.
- Reduce stigma and strengthen the ability of your church to support people who
are experiencing mental illnesses and addictions.
- Provide appropriate referrals and partner with community services.
- 18 CEUs for pastors, social workers/counselors and nurses
18 months of professional clinical mental health and addictions guidance to help church leaders address individual needs that arise in their churches.
Linking and introductions to mental health and addiction agencies in your community, to empower you to link people effectively to support and treatment
Educational resources for congregational education
Ongoing network connection with other churches in the program.
$120.00 per participant (additional $20 for CEUs) covers the entire program
(for each $120.00 registration you can bring a second person (guest) from your church)
Churches Care Philadelphia -- March 19 and March 26, 2022 - COMPLETED
Join the:
Churches Care Online Cohort - Fall/Winter 2022 (Date TBD)
Email: Janelle@weriseinternational.org for info.
"As a pastor, this is the type of resource on mental health that I have been looking for."
"Your training and support made a huge difference for us!"
"It would be good for everyone in the church to have this kind of training."
"Great information and practical for use in my church and community."
"Very helpful in discussing how to serve our parish members...concrete thoughts and suggestions on how to educate the parish and reduce stigma associated with substance use disorders and mental illnesses."
"Thank you so much for this opportunity and the heart of compassion you inspire in others through this program!"