The Faith in Mental Health program will host a discussion on “Faith-informed approaches to understanding and treatment depression and anxiety.” Speakers will include Dr. Roddy Drake (former Health Director at GVPH) and Dr. Tobias LaGrone (Community Outreach & Faith Based Coordinator at NCDHHS). The event will include opportunities for group discussion, interactions with local providers, and distribution of resources.
The discussion will be held at the Vance-Granville Community College (Civic Center Auditorium) on Monday, November 10th at 6 p.m. All community members are welcome to participate, especially those who have participated in the certificate program. Participation is free, with light refreshments available.
Mental illness and substance use challenges affect millions of Americans each year, with rural communities often experiencing even higher rates due to risk factors such as trauma, economic hardship, and limited access to care.
Of particular concern are increasing rates of depression and anxiety, especially among younger members of our community. Depression is more than just a temporary feeling of sadness but rather a crippling and chronic challenge for many, often requiring temporary pauses in work and other activities. Likewise, a limited level of anxiety is a normal human experience, but there are many for whom elevated levels of anxiety can significantly impair their ability to perform everyday tasks. Thankfully, treatment solutions (pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical) exist for those who significantly struggle with depression and/or anxiety. Further, many faith traditions, including but not limited to the Christian scriptures, directly address themes related to depression and anxiety, offering a framework for how to understand these complex and debilitating emotional states in a way which aligns with other spiritual teachings.
Recognizing both the need for support and the unique strengths within rural communities, a new initiative, Faith in Mental Health, was launched to help address this growing crisis. The program aims to equip churches throughout Granville and Vance County to better respond to the substance use and mental health-related needs of their congregation. Participation in the program is free and open to all churches in Granville and Vance County.
For more information or to get involved, please contact Karl Johnson at kjohnson@gvph.org or Pastor Frank Sossamon at pastorfrank1954@gmail.com.
— GVPH Press Release
GVPH is a rural Academic Health Department with the mission of protecting and promoting health in Granville and Vance counties. GVPH provides a broad range of primary care and prevention clinical services, dental services, health education, health promotion, environmental health, and overall disease and injury detection. Supporting local public health sustains economic development, education systems, community safety, and overall improvements in community resilience. To learn more about our programs and services go online to www.gvph.org or call the Granville County office at (919) 693-2141 or the Vance County office at (252) 492-7915.
