Nebraska Disciples Behavior Health Initiative
When people share painful stories, experience tragedy or seem to be struggling with major life transitions it’s hard to know how to help.
The church would seem like the perfect place to go—but often the shame of admitting to mental health or substance use struggles keeps hurting people from asking for help. Many church members, even ministers feel unequipped to respond to people in crisis or provide recovery friendly places for individuals, youth and families.
The Nebraska Disciples Behavioral Health Initiative was created to educate, resource and empower Disciple congregations to respond to people struggling with mental health and substance use issues with compassion, presence, resources and most of all HOPE.
Pension Fund had made available a new mental resource to all actively serving Disciples ministers. Learn to Live is a confidential online resource for those who are struggling with stress, depression, sleeplessness, social anxiety and/or substance use. Pandemic-related stressors have increased the need for clergy mental health support!!
The online programs are available anywhere, anytime. Built on the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Learn to Live programs have been proven as effective as in-person care. Personalized, one-on-one coaching with a team of clinicians (via phone, email, or text) is also available through the program. Anyone, age 13 and up, in a minister’s household can access the programs for free.
Pension Fund’s Ministerial Relief and Assistance Program is providing this service at no cost for active ministers and their immediate