WHEREAS, Approximately 30 million adult Americans suffer from one or more mental disorders, and of these as many as 10 million are afflicted with chronic or prolonged mental illness; and
WHEREAS, Approximately one percent of this country’s population (about 2.5 million) have, or will have, the disease of schizophrenia, and about 6 percent have, or will have, a major affective disorder (major depression or manic depression); and as twelve million children suffer from some form of mental disorder, three million of whom have a serious mental illness; and
WHEREAS, Persons with severe mental illness are estimated to account for as many as 1/3 or more of the nation’s homeless, and occupy 25 percent of all the hospital beds in the country; and
WHEREAS, The economic cost of mental illness is above $70 billion annually of which $14.4 billion is for direct treatment and support costs; and
WHEREAS, Because of ignorance, fear, and prejudice, mentally ill persons are not only stigmatized and discriminated against in housing, medical insurance, and employment opportunities, and are denied adequately funded treatment and support services, but are also often denied supportive fellowship in the church; and
WHEREAS, The families of mentally ill persons are frequently burdened by these illnesses and often serve as the primary caretakers of their loved ones, needing the support and love of friend and church, and yet often feel abandoned and shunned; and
WHEREAS, The Church is called to engage in Christ’s ministry of healing and advocacy on behalf of those who are ill in body, mind, and spirit and those who are discriminated against, lonely, unaccepted, and neglected; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Missionary Society and The Health Ministry of Lane Tabernacle C.M.E. Church are directed to form a joint committee on Mental Health Awareness and Education.
RESOLVED, that members of the Lane Tabernacle C.M.E. Church are encouraged to be come knowledgeable about mental illness in order to reduce stigma and stereotypes which are prevalent within the Church body and in the community at large; and be it further
RESOLVED, That Lane Tabernacle C.M.E. Church, and all its units and organizations be encouraged to reach out to welcome, include and support persons with a mental illness, particularly those who have a prolonged, serious mental illness and the families of those persons and recognize the abilities and celebrate the gifts of those who have a mental illness; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Church encourage the development of specific programs to equip the ministerial staff and laity for ministry to those who have a mental illness and their families and that clergy and lay seek out training and opportunities to minister to the spiritual needs of those who are affected by a mental illness, and be it further
RESOLVED, That The Missionary Society and Health Ministry work with existing agencies and organizations to assist with and initiate programs, such as support groups, housing and employment opportunities which lead to an improved quality of life for people who have a mental illness; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That Lane Tabernacle C.M.E. Church become an advocate for public policy and adequate funding to provide comprehensive community-based services, hospital care and research into the causes and treatment of mental illness.
Done by Order of the Pastor, the Reverend Dr. James T. Morris this Twelfth Day of November, in the year of Our Lord Two Thousand Six.
