Strengthening Youth

Ministry: Scope of

PracticePRESENTED BY SUE BROWNING, REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST (CRPO)

REGISTERED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST (AAMFT/CAMFT) & SUPERVISOR

OVERVIEW

A brief overview of current mental health challenges for Canadian youth.

Define scope of practice for youth ministry.

Be aware of difference between psychotherapy and other forms of

support such as spiritual care.

Increase awareness of the value and importance of spiritual support.

How, where and when to refer to other resources.

Case Studies

Additional Resources

Distressing Statistics

75 % of all mental health problems begin before the age of 25

(Government of Canada, "The Human Face of Mental Health and

Mental Illness in Canada," 2006)

30 % of youth between the ages of 15 – 24 who will be diagnosed

with a mental health and/or substance abuse disorder in their

lifetime (Statistics Canada, "Table 105-1101," 2012)

10 to 20% of youth in Canada have been diagnosed with a mental

health disorder (Stats Canada)

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in youth between the

ages of 10 to 24 (previously cancer was second and injuries are first)

Good News

In a Stats Canada questionnaire in 2015 70 % of youth between the

ages of 12 to 19 perceived their mental health as being very good

or excellent.

Online and Community Resources are being developed in every

province to address Youth Mental Health issues.

Canadian Universities and Colleges are providing

accommodations and extra resources for youth with serious mental

health issues.

Canadian Youth are more willing to access counselling and other

resources to address their mental health than ever before.

Statistics

A study published in the Journal of American Medical Association looked at statistics for anxiety disorders. The study involved 147,261 adults from 26 countries, concluded:

Breaking down the statistics, the scientists found that lifetime estimates for GAD were as follows:

low-income countries: 1.6 percent

middle-income countries: 2.8 percent

high-income countries: 5.0 percent

Why so High in North America?

It is important to remember that GAD is

about feelings of anxiety that are

unreasonable. In a country where there is

genuine struggle, higher levels of anxiety

might rightly be considered justifiable and

therefore not a diagnosable condition.

TIME TO

REFLECT

What emotional reactions do you

have to these statistics?

Where do you find your hope?

Who comes to mind for you as you

think about youth who struggle

with mental health issues?

QUESTIONSQuestions

Protective Factors

(Individual)

Interpersonal/prosocial skills

Health literacy

Nutrition

Physical activity

Meaningful Pro-social activities

Sleep

Belonging & Connection to Community

Protective Factors

(Family and

Community)

Adequate social and emotional support

Nurturing environments (home, school, faith community)

Social activity (face to face)

Friendships

Access to Appropriate Mental Health Services

Opportunities to volunteer

SCOPE OF

PRACTICE

Scope of practice refers to

procedures, actions and

processes an individual is

permitted to perform. An

individual's scope of

practice is also based on

specific education,

experiences and demonstrated

competence.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUTH

MINISTRY?

Youth Programing (i.e. youth group, retreats)

Christian Education ( i.e. confirmation, bible study)

Spiritual Guidance

Pastoral Care

Definition of

Pastoral Care

Ministry

Pastoral Care. Ministry personnel are responsible for the pastoral care of persons they encounter through the ministry in which they serve. As providers of pastoral care, ministry personnel

a) are sensitive to the situation and needs of those to whom they offer pastoral care, and recognize the unique dynamics of the pastoral relationship

b) provide a supportive presence for and are accessible to people in times of change and crisis

c) encourage and facilitate a process to ensure that pastoral care occurs on a regular basis

Ethical Standards and Standards of Practice for Ministry Personnel 4 The United Church of Canada / L’Église Unie du Canada 2008

SPIRITUAL

SUPPORT

Spiritual

Care

Spiritual care attends to a

person's spiritual or religious

needs as he or she copes

with illness, loss, grief or pain

and can help him or her

heal emotionally as well as

physically, rebuild

relationships and regain a

sense of spiritual wellbeing.

Reflection

Questions

As a Spiritual Care Provider:

How do you offer spiritual care to the

youth you encounter.

What situations have made you feel

you need to add other resources?

What are the limits of your scope of

practice?

QUESTIONS

Definition of Psychotherapy

“Treating, by means of psychotherapy

technique, delivered through a therapeutic

relationship, an individual’s serious disorder of

thought, cognition, mood, emotional regulation,

perception or memory that may seriously

impair the individual’s judgment, insight,

behaviour, communication or

social functioning.”

DSM V–

Categories

of Severe

Impairment

Bipolar & Related Disorders

Schizophrenia & Psychotic Disorders

PTSD, Trauma & Stress-Related Disorders

Feeding & Eating Disorders

Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

Dissociative Disorders

Personality Disorders (Axis II)

Neurocognitive & Neurodevlopmental Disorders

DSM V–

Categories of

Severe

Impairment

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Major Depressive Episode Disorder

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Conduct Disorder

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

NOT CONSIDERED PSYCHOTHERAPY

Advocating

Coaching

Coordinating

Emotional Support

Advising & Teaching

De-escalation

Safety Planning

Problem Solving

Referrals

Faith & Spiritual Guidance

SPIRITUAL CARE INTERVENTIONS

Supportive Listening

Praying & Meditating

Caring and Loving

Connection to Community

Reframing & Normalization

Behavioural Suggestions

GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK

WHAT IS HELPING YOU COPE WITH THESE FEELINGS?

WHO ELSE ARE YOU REACHING OUT TO FOR SUPPORT?

DO YOU NEED MORE RESOURCES?

CAN YOU LOOK AT THIS A DIFFERENT WAY? (GOOD FOR SMALL

WORRIES)

WHY DON’T WE LOOK AT THIS MENTAL HEALTH WEBSITE TOGETHER?

WOULD IT BE HELPFUL IF YOU SIGNED A CONSENT SO I CAN SPEAK

TO YOUR COUNSELLOR?

CAN I PRAY FOR YOU AS YOU DEAL WITH THIS?

When To Refer

When it’s beyond your scope of practice

When you do not have time to commit to the needs of the

parishioner and their situation.

When there is a presentation of complicating mental health issue(s).

When you are being triggered by this situation.

When more resources are clearly needed (i.e. psychiatrist, medical

doctor, etc)

When someone is going to consistently push the boundaries of the relationship.

WHEN IN DOUBT….CONSULT!

Reflection

Questions

What mental health resources are you aware of

in your community?

How could you expand your awareness of

community resources?

What challenges have you had when making

referrals?

What has worked well when making referrals?

QUESTIONS

SHARING FROM GROUPS

EVALUATION

REFLECTION

What is one important learning that you will be bringing forward today?

Where do you want to continue to expand your learning?

Who can you consult with in your area?

Who do you want to continue to hold in prayer and care?

Resources

http://mindyourmind.ca/

Teen Help Line http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/teens/home.aspx

LGBTQ Teen Help Line http://www.youthline.ca/

Youth Mental Health Resource from YMCA https://ymhc.ngo/

CMHA Mental Health Resource https://ontario.cmha.ca/mental-health/child-and-youth-mental-health/

Anxiety BC https://www.anxietycanada.com/learn-about-anxiety/anxiety-in-youth/

Good Apps: mindshift, be safe, calm, headspace.

Suicide hotlines Call 1.833.456.4566 | Text 45645https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/

RESOURCES

“Praise be to the God of compassion who

comforts us in all our troubles, so that we

can comfort those in any trouble with the

comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4