Freedom Life Ministries Inc. tackles mental health issues

May 25, 2014 News

Cognizant of the fact that ‘the church’ is not exempted from mental illnesses and aware of the need for an effective and timely response to these issues within the congregation, Freedom Life Ministries Inc has tangibly signed on to being part of the solution.
During last week the Ministry hosted a two pronged initiative which was involved the provision of effective counseling on depression for members of the congregation as well as comprehensive mental health training for their leaders.
According to organizer, Pastor Delight Uwagboe, the undertaking was designed to equip church leaders to provide effective and compassionate care to any who face the challenges of mental illness.

Church leaders who participated in the seminar, along with the facilitators (seated)

Facilitators of the initiative were renowned Behavioral Specialists Irma Bailey –Reyes and Kathy Ann Ali of Trinidad and Tobago‘
On Wednesday scores of persons from Georgetown and its environs were able to access counseling at the church’s Cathedral at Princes and Lyng Streets free of cost, while those in the ancient county benefitted from similar activities on Friday at the church’s No 9, West Coast Berbice location.
Yesterday, In excess of thirty leaders from the three branches of the church gathered for a day long ‘train the trainers’ session.
During panel discussions and smaller workshops, participants learned how to respond when somebody complains of depression or calls into the church threatening to commit suicide. Medical professionals explained mental ailments such as bipolar and anxiety disorders, depression and schizophrenia. The participants were given the skills to recognize and effectively treat with these common disorders in society.
The facilitators reminded those present that treatment must include medication and therapy in addition to spiritual support.
Last week’s mental health intervention is a follow up to similar sessions which were held during a dynamic women’s conference held in March which tackled depression, among other issues affecting women.
“Like it or not, the church is the first place many turn in crisis. And fair or not, the church’s silence or rejection on such issues would feel like rejection from God. We at Freedom Life Ministries will not turn away but will find ways of empowering and helping the most vulnerable among us. It’s time to be part of the solution,” Pastor Delight asserted
In describing the numerous benefits derived from the seminar, participants lauded the initiative taken by Freedom Life Ministries in dealing with this prevalent issue. They noted that too many churches tend to handle mental illness in one of three ways: ignore it, treat it exclusively as a spiritual problem, or refer people to professionals and wash their hands of their trouble.
Freedom Life Ministries Inc was established in February 2003 under the leadership of Pastor Joel Uwagboe with the mandate to nurture, educate and develop the spiritual awareness of its members geared towards enhancing their welfare and relationship to one another while bringing relief to the various communities as deemed fit.
More than a decade later three local churches and one overseas based church have been established and are all fulfilling the mandate of the Ministry, and by extension the Almighty God, in an effectual and dynamic way.
Two of the local churches are located in the Ancient County of Berbice, Guyana, at Numbers 9 and 35 villages, and the sanctuary in the capital city of Georgetown is located at Princes and Lyng Streets Charlestown.
The New York branch is located in Jamaica, Queens. Additionally an outreach ministry was recently established at Paradise, West Coast Berbice.