When and How to Use Mental Health Resources : A Guide for Stephen Ministers, Stephen Leaders and Church Staff

by Kenneth C. Haugk, Isaac B. Akers

This is a Guide for the Clergy and Staff to better assist individuals that deal with mental health issues. This clearly shows "What, When & How" to use all your resources.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Religion, Psychology

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Kelsey Scholz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good and useful info, but very repetitive if you’re going through the Stephen ministry training, as it repeats the purpose of a Stephen minister, etc before diving into when to use alternate resources.

[Roger Smitter · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the book is focused on a small group of volunteers in the Stephen Ministry program. The audience is a small one--volunteers are prepared to spend time with people who are going through a significant change in their lives. Often the Stephen program is for old people but it does include people who who spend time with elderly people who are confined to their home and "retirement" homes that provide a safe place to live.

The Stephen Ministry draws its name from a person in the New Testament who was given by the the early Christian church to support the believers who were members of the early Christian church. (Surprise: The young man who got the job was named Stephen).

In the first 40+ pages, we find the role of the ministry AND an important chapter on what a Stephen Ministers doesn't do. These are the heart of the book. But there are also several chapters that show what is different about the Stephen Ministers and medical and psychological professionals can be do to help. The distinction between the volunteers and the professional is the most important of the book.

The book can be read in less than a day. The power of the book is that the information is presented in a powerful and complete way. It's a book that can and should be read often by volunteers in the program and a model for other nonprofits that call on volunteers who want to make a difference in our world. Leaders of nonprofits that try to meet the needs of humans need to read this book.

[AddyF · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very helpful resource for those who take on caregiving roles in the church. I've been in over my head before, taking on problems that were beyond my abilities to help. It would've been so nice to have been told that these problems needed to be referred to professionals. I'm so glad to have this training now.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough review, as the information is mostly very basic, but important in the context of Stephen Ministry training.

Overall, a good reference resource, but not one I would pick up to ready.

3-stars by itself, but 4-stars given it's typically part of SM training and has value here. ;-)

[Fatimaeliza Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful reminders to have especially regarding mental health resources, things to look out for, etc. overlap with what is repeated during Stephen Ministry training and from what I have learned in training for mental health profession.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beneficial info for helping others and also oneself!!!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should be required reading before Seminary or Licensing school for UM pastors.

[Mr. V · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very straightforward and simple read about when a Stephen Minister should refer a care receiver to a mental health professional. It is a should be required reading for Stephen Ministers.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is required reading for a course at my church. required if you are an idiot.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good resource for Stephen Ministries in training and in producing à resource book .

[David Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

A necessary read in understanding boundaries in Stephen Ministry care.

[Kayleigh Stahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting. Easy to read and I think it will be a helpful tool to keep in mind for the future.

[MomofTeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admire a man of the cloth who’s also a therapist and agrees that both faith and medicine can heal.

[Patti Victorson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a wonderful read if you want to better understand and minister to people who have difficult issues they’re dealing with.

[Empress5150 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will be helpful in my role as a Stephen Minister.

Good overall and general advice with the emphasis clearly being mental health professionals are to be deferred to in areas of major concern however SMs can play a very important role in healing as well.

This should not be discounted by professional care givers.

[Bernie Tomasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from this book about boundaries in care giving and partnering with professional counselors.

[Diane Blodgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for people involved in any type of ministry.

[Lexine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found a lot of the information I read in this book a recap of stuff I already learned. this book is great for exposure to mental health resources for those who are new to mental health concerns.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for Stephen Ministry Leader training...knew much of this already from former job.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of good information to take in.

[Squatch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Required reading for a class I'm in.
Not recreational reading.

[Rose Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reference even if you are not a Stephen Minister if you minister to hurting people to help guide you on referring them to professionals who are part of the multi-disciplinary team in mental health.

[Lori C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful reading for Stephen Ministry training