Pastoral Counseling Tips for EBMC Teachers

Trauma

A history of trauma is common for folks in our communities, and it’s helpful for our teachers and sangha members to have some idea of how to support someone who is experiencing the effects of trauma or traumatic memories. We hope to provide more resources here in the future.

Here’s a helpful article:

Mental health issues protocol
for EBMC Teachers Doing One-on-One Practice Interviews

Information from PEERS organization’s Minister Monique Tarver, who conducted a Mental Health training for Faith Leaders on June 30, 2011 in Alameda attended by Mushim, Shahara Godfrey and JD Doyle from EBMC. (See http://www.peersnet.org)

When doing pastoral counseling with someone with a mental health issue or someone in a family with a mental health issue:

  • At the beginning of the session, set a time limit for the session.
  •  (In case the person threatens suicide or homicide, say at beginning of session)  “There are things I cannot keep in confidence and that are beyond my scope.  In those cases, we’ll need to call someone else in. I won’t leave you, I’ll be here with you, but we need someone else to come in and help.”
  • “I can’t give you professional mental health services, I can only speak to you based on my experience.”
  • Be aware that, in religious congregations, the first person that most people turn to for mental health help is the minister or priest because they do not want to be stigmatized. They are looking for a safe, nonjudgmental, compassionate presence.

May All Beings Be Safe and Protected

“Crisis situations often stem from multiple unaddressed issues with a person’s ability to exist comfortably in their environment. Whether you are in crisis, approaching crisis, or supporting someone in crisis — slow down, take a moment to sense what is happening in your body, and remember that you do not need to navigate this alone.”

(from Project LETS, a national grassroots organization and movement led by and for folks with lived experience of mental illness/madness, Disability, trauma, & neurodivergence. LETS stands for Let’s Erase The Stigma: resources for unlearning).

According to Project LETS, most crisis hotlines and services (except the Trans Lifeline) will likely engage the police when they judge that there is an emergency.

Alameda County resources:

Wait, Don’t Call the Police: “To Reduce the Risk of Police Being Dispatched Call the Alameda County Fire and Medical Emergency Line: 510-444-1616” (from April 2017 training by Critical Resistance called Know Your Options: Behavioral Health).

MH First Oakland “a cutting-edge new model for non-police response to mental health crisis”: (510) 999-9MH1 – Friday & Saturday nights from 8pm to 8am

Mobile Crisis Team: 510-891-5600 (M-F, 8-6) (link includes county crisis centers)

Crisis Support hotline: 800-309-2131 (24/7)

Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services’ ACCESS Program – ongoing mental health & substance abuse services: 800-491-9099 (M-F 8:30-5)

Homeless Hotline: 510-522-4663 (M-F, 9-5)

Centro Legal de La Raza: 510-437-1554 – immigrant, tenant, and worker rights

Not sure? Call 211 (Resource Finder number) You can also text 898211 M-F, 9-4pm for assistance. If you are hearing impaired, dial 7-1-1 or your Video Relay Service Provider and ask to be connected to 2-1-1 at our toll-free number: 888-886-9660.

Resources in California:

Mental health warmline: 855-845-7415 (peer-run non-emergency resource for anyone in California seeking mental and emotional support)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – Mental health and substance abuse resources helpline: 800-622-HELP (4357)

Teen Line: 800-852-8336 (6pm-10pm PST); text TEEN to 839863 (6p-9p PST)

California youth crisis line: 800-845-5200; text SAFE to 20121 (texts 4pm-11pm)

Disaster distress helpline: 800-985-5990

Intimate Partner Violence, Parent Support, Child, and Adult abuse hotlines:

National domestic violence hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233) or 800-787-3224 (TTY)

Building Futures: 866-A-WAY-OUT (866-292-9688)

A Safe Place – emergency phone line for domestic violence: 510-536-7233

Bay Area Women Against Rape: 24-hour crisis hotline: 510-845-7273

San Francisco Women Against Rape: 24-hour crisis hotline: (415) 647-RAPE

Safe and Sound – child abuse crisis and counseling to support parents and families: 415-441-5437 and Parenting Stress Helpline: 800-829-3777

County hotline to report child abuse or neglect: 510-259-1800

Older adult, elder abuse and neglect response line: 510-577-3500 or 866-CALL-APS

National hotlines and resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 800-273-TALK (8255) (online chat and 711 then 1-800-273-8255 for TTY users; website has many educational resources).

Crisis Text Line – text START to 741741. Live counselors available 24/7.

Trevor Lifeline – 866-488-7386 – services to LGBTQQ+ young people.

RAINN – Rape and Incest National Sexual Assault Network: 800-656-HOPE (4673)

Trans Lifeline – 877-565-8860 – Crisis Hotline by and for the transgender community

Veterans Crisis Line (24/7): Call 1-800-273-8255, online chat, or text 838255

Psychotherapy resources: 

National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color and Therapists of Color – Bay Area

Psychology Today search engine and services like Betterhelp.com

Depression Resources:

Depression resources list Dec2017

Navigating Crisis:

Icarus Navigating Crisis Handout

Critical Resistance – Wait Don’t Call 911 chart-1

May All Beings Be Safe and Protected