FARMINGTON – A Mental Health Sabbath for churches in the greater Franklin County and Livermore Falls areas will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 1 and 2. Many clergy will dedicate part or all of their sermons to mental health awareness in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month.
The Sabbath is being sponsored by The Lean On Me, Everyone Has Mental Health Project, that is part of the Healthy Community Coalition in Franklin County and the Pastoral Care Services of Franklin County.
Two seminars were conducted in March by the Rev. Scott Dow, chaplain at the Augusta Mental Health Institute, to familiarize clergy with the symptoms of mental illness in order for them to better serve members of their congregations who live with a mental illness. The seminars were also aimed to reduce the stigma that is often associated with mental illness.
“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if church families brought in casseroles and other meals to assist families who are having a mental health crisis the same way as they do if someone has cancer?” said Leah Binder, executive director of the Healthy Community Coalition.
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