Trinity United Methodist Church is the host of the Mental Health Support Ministry, created as an outlet for the church to help those struggling with mental-health issues, regardless of whether or not they are churchgoers.
The group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of the month at the church. It is led by Kevin Mullin, who is noted for his work at Newport Behavioral Health Services, where he facilitated group therapy and psycho-social group therapy. The program is partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Gloucester County, where Mullin works with the group’s president, Ana Guida.
“We need to help our faith communities develop programs that provide holistic support for those with mental-health challenges,” Guida explained. “By creating inclusive ministries, we not only reduce the stigma around mental illness, but we also offer a sense of hope and connection to those in need.”
The Mental Health Support Ministry sessions at Trinity UMC usually cover a wide range of topics that include mood settings, and provide participants with a means to talk their issues, mainly in therapy sessions. The group also offers ways to build connections with other mental-health groups, courtesy of NAMI.
“It’s not religious counseling specifically,” Mullin described. “There might be an opening and closing prayer, but it’s not centered around it. It’s the most stressful of times rights now. SNAP benefits are being cut and prices at the grocery store have gone way up.
“Some people come to the meetings just because they can’t take the stress anymore.”
The program has been a success at the church. Mullin hopes that other nearby church ministries will have support groups of their own that are as comprehensive as the Mental Health Support Ministry.
“The whole philosophy is that we don’t have enough outlets for people to use,” he said. “Some people go to church and it’s a great environment for to help folks. This (ministry) is a call to arms for church leaders to stand up and have these kinds of groups.”
