Marja Bergen

author, mental health advocate, follower of Christ

Category: Living Room (page 1 of 41)

How to start a Living Room group

FOR SPIRITUAL MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT Go to the Introduction to Living Room and how it can bring healing to Rohingya and to all who suffer from discrimination and persecution. STEP BY STEP GUIDANCE 1.     FIND A FACILITATOR WHO IS: –         a person with a strong faith who has compassion for hurting people. 2.     FIND A CO-FACILITATOR –         with qualities […]

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Introducing Living Room to Rohingya . . . and the World

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 […]

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Mental health support for Rohingya

PEER SUPPORT GROUPS (Photo by Mohammed Ridwan) Most of my work in past years has been to address the spiritual mental health needs of my readers. Through my writings, I’ve tried to encourage those dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, and any other problems individuals might be dealing with. Most of us experience some form of […]

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Part 13 – When a facilitator struggles

LIVING ROOM’S OPEN DOOR One of our greatest fears as Open Door facilitators is what we’re going to do when depression hits. How are we going to measure up to our responsibilities? We don’t want to let anyone down. It’s hard to commit to anything when you struggle with mental health challenges. You never know […]

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Part 10 – In every neighborhood

LIVING ROOM’S OPEN DOOR Can you imagine how wonderful it would be to have a Living Room group meeting in every neighborhood? An Open Door where you could go when you’re troubled or hurting and need to be with those who would understand—those who would listen when you have things to tell—brothers and sisters all. […]

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Part 3 – Our peers give best support

Tulips at Keukenhof Gardens in Holland LIVING ROOM’S OPEN DOOR – All members of the Living Room Open Door faith-based peer support groups, including the facilitator, have suffered, or are suffering from mental health issues. It’s this commonality that pulls them together. Groups are not led by professionals and don’t offer clinical therapy. They don’t […]

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Part two – Faith is vitally important for mental health

THE OPEN DOOR – Faith in Someone greater than ourselves can bring us a sense of well-being that isn’t available elsewhere. Not with medication nor endless counselling. Faith can help us develop the following: A sense of hope A reason for living Strength to cope with hardships Confidence Relief from anxiety, stress, and fear Ability […]

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Living room’s new open door

INTRODUCING A NEW INTERFAITH MINISTRY Living Room’s Open Door is a faith-based peer ministry offering group support for individuals who share struggles with mental health challenges. The groups recognize the connection between spirituality and mental well-being and the two are addressed together as part of our meetings. Members of such groups have found great comfort […]

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Most important – spiritual support

LIVING ROOM – Some thoughts for churches who wish to learn how to give support to individuals with lived experience in their communities: Learn what you can from the https://sanctuarymentalhealth.org/  They have valuable resources, designed to equip churches with the ins and outs of mental health—what they need to know about being there for individuals […]

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Why was my story lost? (edited on Nov. 10th)

ONE SUCH AS ME? finally brought to light. In 2011, an organization was founded in Vancouver that promised to equip churches and parishes to support mental health recovery within their community. They did this by providing online courses that explained the ins and outs of mental health. Churches were delighted to have information that improved […]

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