Dear youth ministry friends,
According to a recent report on mental health conducted by the Springtide Institute, 47% of young people say they are moderately or extremely depressed and 61% state that the adults in their lives don’t realize how much they are struggling with their mental health.[1]
For most of you all reading this, it probably isn’t very surprising. Mental health has been a large concern in youth ministry fields for decades. Since the pandemic, however, the numbers about mental wellness in young people paint an ever-bleaker picture. Youth workers are on the frontlines of helping young people deal with these mental health struggles. At the YMI, we know the impact that that can have, as you all work to tend to your youth in this incredibly tender season.
For this reason, we are always grateful when we encounter voices who can not only speak directly to our concerns, but also offer a pathway forward. With this in mind, we are delighted that the Rev. Dr. Sarah Griffith Lund will be joining us on Saturday, April 6th, from 9am-3pm. The Rev. Dr. Lund is the Minister for Disabilities and Mental Health Justice on the national staff of the United Church of Christ. She recently published Blessed Youth, which speaks about mental health in teens, and how one might destigmatize the conversation, and help youth move forward as a beloved community.
In addition to Rev. Dr. Lund’s keynote addresses, we will also be hosting a panel of mental health educators, advocates, and practitioners who will offer resources for local follow-up opportunities. This event will be in-person only; you can register here. Lunch will be provided.
The first 25 registrants for the program will receive a free copy of Blessed Youth: Survival Guide, a small workbook of mental health resources that youth can easily use and carry with them.
We would love to have you join us for this incredible day! In the meantime, we wish you blessings as you care for the young people in your midst. May God’s ever-loving presence accompany them… and you, too.
With you on the journey,
Rev. Jill
[1] The Springtide Institute. The State of Religion & Young People, Mental Health: What Faith Leaders Need to Know, 2022, pg. 20.