A free workshop on Thursday, Feb. 21 will promote minority mental health and engage Wichita’s African American faith leaders to be mental health leaders.

KU School of Medicine-Wichita Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences will host the workshop at 8:30 a.m. at Noah’s Event Venue, 1550 N. Lindberg Circle at Wichita’s Waterfront area.

Clergy who attend will have the opportunity to share experiences with other clergy to plan how to counsel and refer, support and integrate those with mental illness, along with their family members, into local faith communities.

The workshop will include a review of mental illness, resource materials, discussion and the opportunity to participate in research being conducted by Dr. Lisa Harding, a psychiatric resident at KU School of Medicine-Wichita.

NAMI’s Sharing Hope will present local testimonials from an adult living with mental illness, a family member, and a clergy member living with mental illness.

Materials shared with attendees will include:

Sharing/Bridges Hope: An African American Guide to Mental Health

NAMI FaithNet Resources for Faith Communities

Quick Reference on Mental Health for Faith Leaders, including a listing of minority mental health providers and services

Local NAMI support groups and education programs

Those interested in attending should RSVP by Thursday, Feb. 14 for materials and meal reservation (brunch). Please contact Dr. Harding, KU School of Medicine-Wichita Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, at lharding@kumc.edu or call 609-201-7429.