Are you aware of the Ten Steps to Mental Health, or maybe the continuum of stress and anxiety?
Well thanks to the proactive Family Life Unit, Health Incarnation and Counseling Ministry of the Maloney Church of The Incarnation, that’s exactly what parishioners learned about at a very informative session on Mental Health Awareness, held on May 17th 2025, from 9:00 a.m to 1:30 p.m., with a theme of: “Coping with Stress and Anxiety – Reach Out and Talk.”
With an objective to Explore how Faith, Self-awareness and other simple tools can help you better cope with stress and anxiety, the workshop was attended by our youth, including the confirmation candidates and interested parents.
Participants were guided through the day by mental health professionals, Nurse Renetta Holder and Clinical Psycholigist Ms. Belinda White. Several Mental Health Officers, were also in attendance and took the team through a Mental Mindfulness session.
Attendees learned how the continuum of Mental Health appropriately addresses every stage of life and provides solutions for all ages, as challenging times are not the remit of teenagers only.
The Ten Steps to Mental Health, presented by Ms. Belinda White, was one of the many take-aways from the workshop:
- Accept Who You Are
- Enjoy What You do
- Talk About It
- Do something creative
- Get Involved
- Keep In touch With Friends
- Keep Active
- Relax
- Ask For Help
- Survive and Thrive
The common theme of all the day’s facilitators, stressed the need to work together to eliminate the stigma of mental health, so persons in need of support can courageously step forward and receive that much-needed assistance. One on one counseling was even offered in the afternoon session, from a group of trained Family Life Unit members, led by Dr. Monique Moore.
The workshop closed off with a most appropriate session by our own Atherly Nicholas, on “The Importance of Prayer, Praise and Worship,” where several confirmation candidates enthusiastically became a voluntary music ministry.It was an enlightened time well spent, leaving participants looking forward to Part 2!!!