including kids and teens with mental illness in the church and community
TRANSCRIPT
Stephen Grcevich, MDDirector of Strategic Initiatives, Key Ministry
Global Access Conference presented by Joni and FriendsCalvary Community Church, Westlake Village, CA
February 20, 2015
Including Kids and Teens With Mental Illness in the Church & Community
See a different world…
Mental illnesses as “hidden disabilities” A different paradigm for thinking about disabilityBarriers to church/community inclusion?Strategies for overcoming barriersNext steps…
What comes to mind when you think about “disability?”
How we view disability ministry…
How we view special needs ministry…
Most childhood disabilities are “hidden disabilities”
Significant emotional, behavioral, developmental or neurologic conditions lacking outwardly apparent physical symptoms.
You can’t spot “hidden disabilities” in a still photograph.
Common “hidden disabilities”
ADHDAnxiety DisordersAttachment (RAD, Disinhibited Social Engagement) DisordersAutism spectrum disordersBipolar DisorderDepressionDisruptive Mood Dysregulation DisorderLearning disordersPTSDSocial pragmatic language disorderSensory processing disorder
How common is mental illness in U.S. kids?
22% identified with at least one mental disorder
11% have been treated with ADHD medication
8-12% of teens experience anxiety disorders
13% identified with developmental disorders
The majority of the 1 in 68 kids diagnosed with autism are of average/superior intelligence!
Carter, AS et al. J. Am Acad. Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2010;49(7): 686-698Visser et al. J Am Acad. Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2014;53(1): 34-46http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders-in-children-and-adolescents/index.shtmlBoulet, SL, Boyle CA, Schieve, LA. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2009;163(1):19-26.http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
Kids with mental illness are disabled in some, but not all environments…
“It is our culture that disables.”
“When one is disabled, the problem is not really that they have impairments and social skill deficits. The issue at stake is that they live in an ‘ableist’ culture that rarely affords them the space or opportunity to make their unique contribution to society and does not lift up the value of choosing them as friends.”
Ben Conner…Amplifying Our Witness (2012)
Inclusion barriers are different for kids with mental illness
What are the barriers?
Church, school, community… Where does she fit in?
Social isolation Social communication Self-regulation capacity Sensory processing Stigma Fear of being singled out Parents with disabilities
Social isolation…
Church, school, community… Where does he fit in?
Difficulty making, keeping friends
Fewer extracurricular activities
Child care for “parent nights out”
Social communication…
Church, school, community… Where does he fit in?
Are social skills important at church?
The role of anxiety Transitions between
age-grouped ministries, activities
Emotional self-regulation…
Church, school, community… Where does he fit in?
Capacity to hide observable aspects of behavior…executive function
Why “structure” helps
Sensory Processing…
Church, school, community… What they experience…
Common in ADHD, anxiety, OCD, autism
More not always better Transition times
difficult
Stigma…
Church, school, community… What then, is wrong with the “mentally ill”? Their problem is autogenic; it is in themselves…
Jay Adams Mental illness as sin, a
parenting problem Cultural perception that
they’re not welcome at church
Bullying worse for kids with more subtle disabilities
If it’s not a disability, why would disability ministry serve them?
The fear of being singled out…
Church, school, community… Where does he fit in?
Desperate need to not be different!
Kids, families FLEE special education/special needs
Parents with mental illness…
Church, school, community… Where do they fit in?
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!
Parents who struggle with executive functioning?
Kids depend on parents for transportation
Inconsistent attenders?
Solutions?
Mindset vs. program Go where they are Serve their families Community…on their terms Welcoming environments Opportunity for individual
discipleship Online church?
Meet the Phillips Family…
Jennifer is raising Aidan (age 9) and Emma (age 6). Aiden was invited to your VBS by a school friend and wants to come to church every Sunday and Wednesday night.
Aidan takes medication for ADHD and receivers special education services for dyslexia.
Emma struggles with separation anxiety
Jennifer has social anxiety disorder and agoraphobia
What barriers might they face in regularly attending church?
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
An inclusion exercise…
Obstacles to “doing church”…
Jennifer: What might her initial fears about visiting be? How many people does she need to speak with? What if it’s crowded? Is she expected to join a small group?
Emma: What if kids are discouraged from entering the worship center? What if she melts down at children’s ministry drop-off?
Aidan: When might he experience challenges with self-control? Will any activity embarrass him? How might his needs differ on Wednesday night?
Takeaway points…
Kids with mental illness and their families represent disability ministry’s greatest outreach opportunity. A mindset…not a programFocus on overcoming barriers to social connection, communicationDesign environments that promote self-regulation, minimize anxiety
No church/school/organization can do everything, but every church can do something!
Key Ministry provides knowledge, innovation and experience to the worldwide church as it ministers to and with families of children impacted by mental illness, trauma and developmental disabilities.
What Does Key Ministry Do?
Stay in Touch!Key Ministry Website: http://www.keyministry.orgChurch4EveryChild…Key Ministry Blog: http://www.church4everychild.org Key Training Channel/Front Door Online Church Platform: http://www.keyministry.tv
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http://twitter.com/#!/drgrcevichhttp://twitter.com/#!/KeyMinistry
Additional Resources:
Resource page on ADHD and spiritual development (includes video from Dr. Russ Barkley) http://drgrcevich.wordpress.com/teaching-series-adhd-and-spiritual-development/Resource page on anxiety and spiritual development http://drgrcevich.wordpress.com/resource-page-anxiety-and-spiritual-development/Resource page on Asperger’s Disorder and spiritual development (includes video of 2012 Children’s Ministry Web Summit presentation) http://drgrcevich.wordpress.com/resource-page-anxiety-and-spiritual-development/Resource page on Pediatric Bipolar Disorder (includes link to 2010 Grand Rounds presentation at Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Akron) http://drgrcevich.wordpress.com/pediatric-bipolar-disorder-a-guide-for-childrens-and-youth-pastors-and-volunteers/The Mission Field Next Door (2011 Inclusion Fusion presentation with Katie Wetherbee) http://youtu.be/PshzmYircCo