“What really needs to happen”: Free mental health seminar
Published on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 10am
A free mental health seminar will be offered to the Lincoln County community on Saturday, March 30th.
The seminar begins at 11 a.m. at the Lincoln Civic Center (1096 Beltline Drive NE) in Brookhaven.
The effort was started by the Rev. Philip Sterling, pastor of Grace Community Church in Brookhaven, who said the need is great.
“Over the past few months, I’ve had personal knowledge of suicide and people under pressure and depression,” Stirling said. “I have been doing more counseling sessions…The economic situation, inflation and rising crime are just creating chaos.”
The pastor said he knows Region 8 Mental Health Services and licensed professional counselors in the area are doing everything they can, but local resources are limited.
“I met with Certified Counselor Megan Hamm, as well as Pastor Kendall Poole (Kelly MB Church in Osika), Curtis Oliver, and Pastor Greg Warnock (First Baptist Brookhaven),” Sterling said. said. “We all agreed that this is really what should happen.”
As a U.S. military veteran, Minister Brookhaven said he had suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder for many years and had no idea what it was.
“I was finally diagnosed by the military. I thank God for the blessing,” he said. “I couldn’t say I had PTSD because I didn’t know what it was. I would get angry and bitter for no reason. Even the smallest thing would send me over the edge. I needed a break. I need it. My wife really brought it to my attention, but she didn’t know what it was either. She just asked, “What’s going on?” From then on. I started asking for help. ”
Sterling said she has never seen so many things that cause depression and anxiety in her life. People need to know there are resources available to help, whether it’s physically, psychologically, or spiritually.
People also need to overcome the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
“People think I can’t say, ‘I have depression.’ I can’t say, ‘I have a mental problem,'” Sterling said. “But now it’s almost a blessing for me to be able to say that. I can’t say I know exactly what other people are going through, but I can understand. I can help them too. Maybe that’s why the Lord allowed something like that to happen to me, because He wanted me and others to reach out and help people. Perhaps He was preparing for this.”
The March 30 event, sponsored by Brookhaven Bank, will feature three speakers: Mr. Hamm, a high school counselor, and someone who can address the military aspects of the issue. Speakers will provide information and resources to easily share, and there will be time for questions and answers.
Two local music artists will also be participating. Topher Brown is the worship pastor at Center Point Church and a former member of the band Perry and the Colonels. and Christian rapper Rajavion Stewart. Local caterer Kim Leggett will also provide refreshments.
For more information, contact Sterling, Hamm, or Oliver via Facebook.
