MADISON — Many people turn to clergy and lay leaders before seeking care from a mental health provider. 

Advocate Aurora Faith and Health Partnerships invites those interested to participate in Listen. Love. Connect., a three-part virtual education series designed to equip clergy and lay leaders — deacons, elders, congregation board members, ministry staff, and others — to walk alongside congregants living with mental illness and substance use disorders.

Those completing this education series can become better equipped to: Notice signs of mental distress; Confidently respond to those in crisis; and Understand the connection between trauma, resilience, and faith.

Those who complete the Listen, Love, Connect series: Receive a Faith and Health Companion Certificate; Become eligible for a microgrant up to $1,000 to implement a mental health program in their congregation; Receive support through quarterly check-in meetings.

Upcoming Schedule: 

●  Virtual information session July 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Mental Health First Aid — teaches intervention skills to help someone in a mental health crisis. Two-hour pre-work is required. 

●  Aug. 13, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Companionship — teaches the five core practices of responding to people through relationships — walking alongside someone in their journey toward healing and wholeness. 

●  Sept. 10, 9-11 a.m.  Trauma, Faith, and Resilience — a basic introduction to help understand trauma and how faith plays a role in building resilience. 

Quarterly Cohort/Check-ins: October 2022, and January, April, and July 2023.

Register at https://bit.ly/3NEIcX1.