Author Archives: Dr. G

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About Dr. G

Dr. Stephen Grcevich serves as President and Founder of Key Ministry, a non-profit organization providing free training, consultation, resources and support to help churches serve families of children with disabilities. Dr. Grcevich is a graduate of Northeastern Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), trained in General Psychiatry at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University. He is a faculty member in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at two medical schools, leads a group practice in suburban Cleveland (Family Center by the Falls), and continues to be involved in research evaluating the safety and effectiveness of medications prescribed to children for ADHD, anxiety and depression. He is a past recipient of the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Dr. Grcevich was recently recognized by Sharecare as one of the top ten online influencers in children’s mental health. His blog for Key Ministry, www.church4everychild.org was ranked fourth among the top 100 children's ministry blogs in 2015 by Ministry to Children.

Five strategies for maintaining hope if you’re struggling with depression

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Dr. G

Through my years of therapy for depression, I’ve acquired some strategies that help me hope in the future more often. Continue reading →

Posted in Depression, Mental Health, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Ron Sandison…She believed in the word “CAN”

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Dr. G

My mom’s belief in the word “CAN” paid off. My mom believed that by having me interact with typical children my own age I would learn essential social skills, and by developing my talents I could gain independence and accomplish my dreams. Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Parents, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Autism resources from Key Ministry

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Dr. G

Key Ministry has developed many resources for pastors, church staff members, volunteers and families interested in supporting kids with autism spectrum disorders. We encourage you to share this listing freely with any church or any family that would find the resources helpful. Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The suicide epidemic among high-functioning persons with autism

Posted on April 3, 2016 by Dr. G

Adults with autism and no intellectual disability are over NINE TIMES MORE LIKELY to commit suicide when compared to their age-matched peers. Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Controversies, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Special Needs Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Five steps churches can take to help persons with depression

Posted on March 31, 2016 by Dr. G

Editor’s note: Today’s post from Gillian Marchenko is co-authored by Gillian’s husband (Sergei), a pastor for eleven years and husband to a wife with major depressive disorder for over a decade. As a couple in ministry and a family who … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Depression, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Stories, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Could ADHD be a blessing to some Christians?

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Dr. G

Is it possible that in God’s Kingdom, a condition that causes as much difficulty in day to day functioning as ADHD might actually provide one of His followers with an advantage? Let’s look at how having ADHD might be of benefit to a Christian.
Continue reading →

Posted in Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

One in seven young children have a mental, behavioral or developmental disorder (MBDD). WHY?

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Dr. G

The lack of a medical home and poor parental mental health were the two most critical risk factors for future development of MBDDs. Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wish you could go to church this Easter?

Posted on March 27, 2016 by Dr. G

Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Community Bible Church in San Antonio and Bay Presbyterian Church in Bay Village, OH we’ll have a number of LIVE and prerecorded, interactive worship experience that any family can join online this Easter weekend.
Continue reading →

Posted in Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I am not depression

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Dr. G

But I know this for certain. My depression is the illness I fight, not my identity. I’m empowered to share more with others. I am comfortable asking for prayer. I am open about the scary, difficult parts of my mental health story. Continue reading →

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Let’s be the people who show up on Saturday

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Dr. G

But every adoption is born from some sort of Friday brokenness that meant the parents who bore a child couldn’t or wouldn’t raise him, so let’s own that part of the story too. Let’s own the Saturdays when the loss is heavy and come alongside those whose burdens feel crushing. Let’s not just celebrate with those who celebrate but also mourn with those who mourn.
Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Advocacy, Foster Care, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , | 18 Comments