ThriveNYC is an unprecedented commitment by the City of New York to create a mental health system that works for everyone and this weekend the city is inviting the faith community to play a vital role in providing support to those in need.

From May 17th – 20th, thousands of houses of worship from all five boroughs and all fifty states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, will devote their weekend services to honest and supportive conversations about mental illness and substance misuse.

“If I had to rank the biggest shifts in ministry over the last decade the rise of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues has to be near the top. It’s no different even in my own life. At the same time, there’s been a slow erosion of the stigmas surrounding mental health. But it hasn’t been fast enough to keep up with the unique contexts we’re experiencing in our accelerated world. I attended Thrive NYC because I need resources, language, and a wider collaborative network to help meet the needs of our changing communities. It was an invaluable experience. I not only met other faith leaders who are addressing the same needs as me, but the content that I’m walking away with is providing me tangible steps toward continuing the destigmatization of mental health and the ability to enter into these often untacked about conditions with the hope of the Gospel and the well-equipped approach of empirical data and trained practitioners.I definitely advocate for other faith leaders to check out Thrive NYC and attend another gathering.”

— Russell Joyce, Lead Pastor - Hope Church Brooklyn

“As a minister, I often see the effects of mental illness up close. I have walked with people through panic attacks, depression, and the aftermath of suicides. I have even suffered from depression and anxiety myself. For this reason it was an honor to attend the ThriveNYC Faith Leader’s Breakfast. Through this initiative, First Lady Chrilane McCray, is working to address mental illness in New York. Unfortunately, churches have often been behind the times in helping people understand the issues surrounding mental health. One of the refrains of today’s meeting was that faith leaders to “end the stigma” of mental illness in our communities. As Kay Warren, one of the speakers at the meeting remarked, “Being sick is not a sin.” It is important that in our churches, people ought not feel embarrassed or faithless because of their illnesses. Rather, faith communities ought to be places of hope for the hurting, and places where they can find the resources they need to thrive. It was an honor to hear The First Lady’s vision behind ThriveNYC and to network with like-minded leaders. I am excited that the city is valuing the input and work of faith communities and working to resource us well. “I am grateful for the work of Trellis in graciously connecting me with ThriveNYC.”

— Will McGee, Lead Pastor - Crossroads Christian Church

“Thanks to Trellis for the connection and invite to Gracie Mansion to represent CityReach Church Brooklyn and join with several other Faith Leaders in New York City to partner with ThriveNYC in offering spiritual and practical hope to those who are affected by mental illness and the opioid endemic. I have never been more proud of the influence of the Church in one of the most influential cities in the world.”

— Bill Carson, Church Planting Coordinator, CityReach Network

Through the Thrive Together: Weekend for Mental Health, houses of worship and spiritual communities are joining together to

Break the silence
End the stigma
Connect people and families to the resources and care they need.

The goal is that we want everyone suffering to know that they are not alone.

Here are two resources you can use over the Weekend for Mental Health.

The Thrive Together toolkit that you can use as a resource guide, on mental health and addiction, with your communities
A hand-out with an overview for participation and resources available free to you. Feel free to post this up on your bulletin board or hand out to your community members.

Please make sure to connect with others and highlight the work you’re doing using the hashtag

#ThriveTogether.

Beyond this weekend, ThriveNYC continues to offer Mental Health First Aid trainings to all New Yorkers! If your faith community would like to host a free Mental Health First Aid Training at your location, sign up or find out more HERE