SAN ANTONIO – For the past nine years, health care providers, resource providers and faith leaders have worked with the community to host “Pathways to Hope” conferences on mental health.
This year, they say, it's more important than ever to openly discuss mental health and mental illness.
“We can't ignore this, and the pandemic has made the need even more pressing to support one another and ourselves in the area of mental health,” said the Rev. Jessica N. Bass, conference coordinator for Pathways to Hope. “We're talking about everything from mental health to substance abuse to how to build trauma-sensitive ministries within our congregations.”
Mental health care workers report that one in four people in Bexar County is living with a mental illness, which translates into a region with a population of just over 500,000. Experts also report a 50% increase in teen suicide attempts.
“Our community is better now in that regard, but this is the only place where those conversations are actually happening among different segments of the population,” said the Rev. Justin Lindstrom.
Pathways to Hope focuses on offering workshops, classes and therapy sessions, as well as sharing local community resources with people who want to discuss mental health, including SACRD, the San Antonio Community Resource Directory.
“San Antonio has a lot of resources, but where do you find them? And where do you go to let people know you're here to help,” said Alice Alvarez, SACRD coordinator. “So finding those resources and at least getting some immediate calm will help with your mental health.”
Organizers are already making preparations for next year's conference, but they want participants to go home feeling hopeful.
“I hope they leave with a feeling that they're not alone. Mental health and mental illness is a part of everyone's life,” Rev. Lindstrom said.
Workshops, classes, and information for this year's conference can be found online here .
Copyright 2024 by KSAT – All rights reserved.
