“There is no health without mental health.”
–JR Kuo
Unfortunately, due to cultural stigma, mental health is still often unspoken in our society. Study after study has shown that the ability to talk about mental health issues can tremendously decrease an individual’s stress level and improve the overall quality of life.
You are invited to several opportunities during the month of May sponsored by Health Ministry and our E4 Mental Health Ministry Team.
Health Ministry Sunday with NAMI
Sunday, May 7 | 9:15–10:15 a.m. Coffee Hour | Fellowship Hall
Come hear speakers from NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) share their personal stories and their involvement with NAMI, and receive recommended resources for support and nurturing of mental health and wellness for individuals and families.
Speakers from NAMI are Rabbi Sandra Cohen, NAMI Colorado Board member and Babu Mathew, President of NAMI Colorado Board of Directors.
Rabbi Sandra Cohen is involved in mental health outreach in the Jewish Community nationally. She speaks openly about her personal journey with mental illness and applies that profound experience to her work. Her primary goal is to support and educate spiritual communities. She is a determined advocate for those with mental illness and their families.
Babu George Mathew has served on NAMI Colorado Board of Directors since 2018 and as President from January 2020. Babu grew up in India, moving to the USA in 1994. His lived experience as a family peer for over a decade has given him the calling to be a passionate mental health advocate. He is a certified teacher for the NAMI Family-to-Family program and program leader for the NAMI Family and Friends. Babu has also led a Refugee Mentoring Project from his church in collaboration with Lutheran Family Services and the Denver Rescue Mission.
Coffee with JR during Adult Forum
Sunday, May 14 | 9:15–10:15 a.m. | Anna Paulson Room
Bring that special woman to a breakfast learning event!
Come for a breakfast buffet and hear JR speak about his personal and professional story of mental health and wellness. Give a special hour of your time as a gift to a beloved woman in your life, and bring her to breakfast to enjoy this compelling Adult Forum!
Who Is Jr?
JR Kuo is a national speaker, trainer, and coach that inspires people to make positive changes in their life. He is also the founder of CoffeeWithJR (http://coffeewithjr.com/), a company that specializes in providing culturally competent mental health and diversity/inclusion trainings. JR has over 10 years of experience in professional speaking. He has trained college students and professionals on mental health at over 50 universities and dozens of organizations across the country. JR also teaches at the University of Colorado at Boulder and Denver on leadership, cultural competency, and mental health.
Please save this date and plan to attend a riveting hour in the Anna Paulson Room. RSVP encouraged for breakfast count. Call Augustana’s office to reply (303-388-4678).
Register now!
Men & Mental Health Workshop
Saturday, May 20 | 9–11:30 a.m. | Anna Paulson Room
JR Kuo returns with a workshop especially designed for MEN and Mental Health. Due to a long history of male-dominated traditions and mindsets, men experience and face both self and social stigma about showing their emotions or talking about their feelings. Men with mental health challenges are less likely to seek treatment and support. According to the CDC, men are more likely to die by suicide than women.
The capacity to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health challenges within oneself can be healing and therapeutic. In addition, the ability to see different signs and symptoms can guide you in providing practical and even lifesaving mental health support to people (men) that you care about. In this workshop men will learn how to equip themselves with various mental health tools that normalize mental health conversations among men, to further improve overall wellbeing, and utilize these tools to provide practical support to other men.
Men only are invited to attend and bring along other men friends or family members.
Register online below.
Mental Health Awareness in Worship
Sunday, May 21 | 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Join us in both worship services as we focus on Ascension Day and Mental Health Awareness.
Worship will include a special prayer litany for individuals and families whose lives have been touched by mental health challenges. Our E4 Mental Health Ministry Team will hand out a “Mental Health First Aid Kit” to all attending worship this day. What is that? Please join us to discover and receive encouragement for your own or a loved one’s mental health.
