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A Message from Bethsaida Counseling Services - October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Bethsaida DV Horizontal

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We are encouraging everyone to “Speak Up”, in order to spark change. We must openly, honestly, and bravely acknowledge how domestic violence/intimate partner violence negatively affects our communities, our families (yes, even families in our church), and our lives. Domestic violence affects every community and impacts people of all ages, genders, races, religions, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic groups. Anyone can experience or perpetrate domestic violence.


We are calling the entire Allen Temple Family and surrounding community to action. Help raise awareness to end domestic violence/intimate partner violence. Take a stand. Be a voice. Show your support. Wear PURPLE. Send a strong message. Let’s see it and shout together, “Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence will not be tolerated in our community, our church, or our families”.


If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call 911 for police assistance. For local non-emergent support, contact the Alameda County Family Justice Center at (510) 267-8800, the FVLC 24hr. Mobile Response Team at (800) 947-8301, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233 (SAFE), or text LOVEIS to 22522. For a list of other local resources visit http://www.acfjc.org/GET_help


Many times, the first step to get help is the hardest. If you need assistance, we are here. Contact Bethsaida Counseling Services to assist with helping you access services at (510) 544-8945 or email us at bethsaida@allen-temple.org.


Information was provided by Ms. Ricka L. White-Soso, MSW, LCSW, BIP, CEAT with the assistance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2021 campaign information available from national and local domestic violence organizations.

A Message from Bethsaida Counseling Services: The Children Are Our Future


children

“I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be…”
 
And because of this, we want to support them to be healthy – mind, body, and spirit. Just as many adults have been struggling with managing their emotions and feelings so have our young people. Many have felt overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed trying to find the words to express how they are feeling. Not knowing how to define or explain their feelings and emotions, several have attempted to cope with them in not so positive ways.

Parents/caregivers, during this season of spring breaks and throughout the rest of this year, take some time to check in with your young person to make sure he/she is alright.
 

Read more: A Message from Bethsaida Counseling Services: The Children Are Our Future

Public Ministry Newsbrief - Week of September 26, 2021

What is Redistricting?

Every ten years, lines for electoral districts are redrawn using Census data to help guide the drawing of lines for Congress, state legislatures, and county and city offices.  This year the redistricting process is underway for cities, counties and states using data from the Census taken during 2020.  The redistricting process should work to keep communities of interest (COI) together.  “Communities of interest” is a term used to describe shared policy interests and needs such as economic, cultural, social, historical, educational, environmental, health or others that are important to citizens collectively.
 

Read more: Public Ministry Newsbrief - Week of September 26, 2021

A Message from Bethsaida Counseling Services - July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Bethsaida Joined Jul 21July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.

According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), 16% of African Americans experience a mental health condition. Unfortunately, when it comes to mental illness, minorities are often undiagnosed and receive inadequate treatment compared to adult Whites. Regrettably, African Americans face an added stigma and discrimination when seeking mental health care, causing apprehension about pursuing professional treatment.

Did you know…?

African Americans are 20 percent more likely to have serious psychological distress than other ethnic groups.

In 2019, suicide was the second leading cause of death for Black Americans, ages 15 to 24.

Poverty level affects mental health status. African Americans living below the poverty level are twice as likely to report serious psychological distress. Sixteen percent (4.8 million) of Black and African American people reported having a mental disorder, and 22.4 percent of those (1.1 million people) reported a serious mental disorder in 2018.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms, talk to a trusted healthcare professional. Stay connected with a support network, such as friends, family, or clergy.

If you or a loved one is in need of someone to talk to, there is confidential support available 24/7 by calling: (Each county has its own crisis line.)

Crisis Support Services of Alameda County- 24 Hour Crisis Line, (800) 309-2131
Contra Costa Mental Health Crisis Services, (888) 678-7277
Solano County Crisis Line, (707) 428-1131
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, (800) 273-8255

If you or a loved one is in crisis, call 911 or report to your nearest emergency room immediately.

Remember, you are not alone. Mental health does not choose who is affected by it, but culture, race, gender, or sexual orientation, can affect access to treatment, support, and quality care for many. We can help. Bethsaida Counseling Services is only a phone call or email away and ready to assist with helping you access services by providing information and referral. Contact us at (510) 544-8945 or email us at bethsaida@allen-temple.org.

Information was curated by the Balm of Gilead from the National Alliance of Mental Illness and Mental Health Awareness, The Office of Minority Health (OMH) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Spring Prayer Seminar - Presentation Notes

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We hope that you were blessed by our Spring Prayer Seminar hosted by the Prayer Warriors Ministry!

Use these presentation notes for prayer and devotion!

Have a prayer request? Or want to join with the Prayer Warriors Ministry? Email prayer@allen-temple.org!

 
 

A Message from Bethsaida Counseling Services: May is Mental Health Awareness Month – Mental Health Matters. Black Mental Health Matters. Christian Mental Health Matters

A Message from Bethsaida Counseling Services
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Matters. Black Mental Health Matters. Christian Mental Health Matters
 

Did you know there is an awareness month for almost everything - medical conditions, social causes and just for fun? Visit https://crestline.com/c/calendar-of-events or https://www.healthline.com/health/directory-awareness-months for a listing of some of the different awareness months.

Speaking of Awareness Month, a couple of weeks ago, the Health Education Ministries’ Emphasis shared that May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. Tips were provided recommending some things you can do to take care of your mental health in the face of uncertainty. The 5 tips listed were: separate what is in your control from what is not, do what helps you feel a sense of safety, get outside-even if you are avoiding crowds, challenge yourself to stay in the present, and stay connected and reach out if you need more support.

Continuing the message, Bethsaida Counseling Services wants to reiterate the importance of making your mental health a priority in May and every month. As matter of fact, make mental health important every month, every day, throughout the year. Taking care of your physical, mental, and spiritual health daily is self-care and self-love. They all matter. Strive for overall behavioral health and wellness. This will require you to be intentional in practicing self-care every day which includes being mindful of nurturing healthy habits, i.e., food intake, exercise/movement, meditation/prayer, etc. In order to have the fortitude to do the work of the church, more specifically, the work in the community, we have to first take care of ourselves.

After implementing some healthy lifestyle changes, if you find yourself continuing to struggle but do not know where to start to seek assistance, feel free to reach out to Bethsaida Counseling Services for information and referral. We are here to help direct you appropriately to get the support you need. Contact us at (510) 544-8945 or email us at bethsaida@allen-temple.org.

Consider every month Mental Awareness Month. Remember, Mental Health Matters. Black Mental Health Matters. Christian Mental Health Matters.

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