Photo by Ro Arafat Khan
FAITH-BASED PEER SUPPORT GROUPS FOR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS
All members of Living Room peer support groups, including the facilitator, have experienced, or are experiencing mental health issues. It’s this commonality that pulls them together. Groups are not led by professionals and don’t offer clinical therapy.
Groups for Rohingya men and women provide social support, but they also share ideas on strategies that will help them cope with the great struggles they are facing – struggles that are affecting their mental health. Spiritual topics introduced by the facilitator and explored as a group are designed to strengthen their faith life.
Living Room groups have been shown to be beneficial for people with mental health conditions. And such people are present all over the world. Faith-based support groups are needed wherever people are struggling.
Peer support groups are an important element in the needs of those living with mental health issues. Support by peers has been shown to be more effective than support from healthy individuals. Those who don’t have lived experience can’t hope to empathize in the way peers can empathize.
Together, in the company of others who can relate, we find out we’re not alone. Peer support groups like Living Room are specifically designed to address the kind of needs people with mental health challenges have. Nothing can compare with such a sanctuary where they can spend time with those who are best able to understand.
At Living Room there is one thing we all have in common. We are all looking for support from our peers as we try to find relief from our mental health struggles.
But it is different from other kinds of support groups in that our spiritual needs are also addressed. Those needs will be different for all. You may be Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, or follower of some other religion, wanting to bring messages of your faith to people in need.
There is a way in which I feel we are all alike, no matter what we believe. In a world that rejects so many of us, the message that we are accepted and loved is one that we all need to hear.
The historic Jesus and the unconditional love he is known for is the foundation on which Living Room rests. To some he is the son of God; to others he is a Prophet. To most he is regarded as a someone to be revered.
Jesus is the best example we have of love shown to all people, no matter who they are, where they are, or how they worship. This love has brought healing to many and it continues doing so today. He showed special love for rejected people—for those the world had turned its back on.
Through Living Room groups and the love of Jesus, we can find peace and healing.
Step by step guidance for starting a group coming soon.
marja
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