Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
January 30, 2004, Vol. 04-11

FAITH WEB PAGE IS NEWEST LINK ON ANTI-DISCRIMINATION/ANTI-STIGMA WEB SITE

A Web page on Faith and Spirituality http://www.adscenter.org/topics_materials/faith.htm has been launched as part of the new Web site of the Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma (ADS Center).

Evidence is growing of the value that faith-based organizations offer to people with mental illnesses. Faith-based communities often contribute to recovery by promoting hope and by offering solace and comfort in troubled times; and many consumers acknowledge the positive impact of spirituality and faith on their recovery and ability to cope with life's stresses.

However, not all faith-based organizations are equally knowledgeable about how best to serve people with mental health disorders.

The information available on this Web page can help faith-based communities - both clergy and congregants - increase their awareness of mental health issues and find ways to welcome and support people with mental illnesses, thus reducing discrimination and stigma. Resources include brochures and fact sheets; books, articles, and research; and organizations, including the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (http://www.hhs.gov/fbci/) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which, according to its mission, "leads the Department's efforts to better utilize faith-based and community-based organizations in providing effective human services"; and the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (http://www.fbci.gov), whose mission is to strengthen and expand the role of faith-based and community organizations in "addressing the nation's social problems."

The goal of the ADS Center is to help States, local communities, providers, managed care organizations, advocates, family members, and consumers of mental health services to design and implement programs to reduce stigma and the discrimination and prejudice it engenders. The Center provides useful resources and information about effective approaches to counter stigma and discrimination. It offers information about available publications, events and relevant issues, provides technical assistance and trainings through on-site assistance and teleconferences, and brokers speakers to make presentations.

The ADS Center's toll-free number is 1-800-540-0320 and the Center is open Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (ET) with bilingual (English/Spanish) staff available.

The ADS Center is a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, and operated by a contract with The Gallup Organization and the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

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The Center for Mental Health Services is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services.