My pdoc is sort of an odd duck, in that he sometimes will prescribe a trip to the confessional and/or attendance at extra Masses (I'm a practicing Catholic) when he knows I'm suffering spiritually as well as mentally. He says that as a woman of faith, I need regular infusions of that faith to help keep me sane, and he's right---I always feel, and do, better when I follow that advice.

I've long thought about approaching my parish priest and asking him what he thinks about having a faith-based mental health support group once or twice a month at the church. The problem is, I'm afraid I wouldn't be a good facilitator because I'm sometimes at the mercy of my own illness and might not always be able to be in a leadership role. But I think it would be awesome to have such a group.....I just wish our parish nurse ministry were still active, that way I could get some support for it.

Anyway, I'm all for educating congregations about MI and involving parishioners in programs that help others with mental health challenges.