Category Archives: Bipolar Disorder

We’re teaming up for a counseling summit in Cincinnati!

In this counseling Summit, we’ll offer practical strategies for identifying and treating the most common…and pressing mental health concerns in children and teens. Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Adoption, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Foster Care, Key Ministry, Mental Health, PTSD, Training Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What if medication is a tool that helps us resist sin?

Could we argue that medication (or other treatment) that enhances our ability to avoid sin or to do good might be a useful tool for the individual Christian? Further, could we argue that the decision to take medication under such circumstances is God-honoring? Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Controversies, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Including Kids and Teens With Mental Illness in the Church and Community…#globalaccess2015

Here’s the Slideshare of Dr. Grcevich’s presentation today at the 2015 Global Access Conference, presented by Joni and Friends…Including Kids and Teens With Mental Illness in the Church and Community. Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Advocacy, Anxiety Disorders, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Training Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Kimberlie Zakarian…When an invisible disability meets pediatric bipolar disorder

During those times, not one person from the church we were at came to visit or pray with me. My guess is that they perhaps did not know how to handle mental illness. Walking those early years alone as a parent of a child with bipolarity led to depression and trauma on my part. This is the trauma many parents of children with hidden disabilities endure. Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Bipolar Disorder, Families, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Treatment doesn’t eliminate the need for ongoing support…

Clearly, good treatment can help the vast majority of kids and families impacted by mental illness. But treatment doesn’t always work as well as we would hope in the fallen, messed-up world we live in. And families need our support through every step of their journey. Continue reading

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If churches knew how many people mental illness impacts, they’d be more interested in reaching them

The segment of the population impacted by disability, especially families impacted by mental illness, trauma and developmental disabilities, would in my mind represent the ultimate “low-hanging fruit” for local churches Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Mental Health, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Thinking Orange…Partnering with parents when kids have disabilities

More so than with parents in the general population, church leaders may need to do more to earn the right to partner with parents from families affected by disabilities. Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Resources, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What does “executive functioning” have to do with kids and church?

Through identifying the other challenges executive functioning weaknesses present to a person’s ability to maintain an ongoing pattern of involvement with a local church, we hope to assist leaders in designing ministry environments and developing supports to welcome kids and families who were “unsuccessful” in previous experiences of church and strengthen their connection to the local church once they become attenders. Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Intellectual Disabilities, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Including kids and teens with mental illness at church…What are the barriers?

I’ve come to the conclusion that our team at Key Ministry needs to, at the very least, put forth a conceptual model for a mental health/trauma inclusion ministry that could be implemented by churches of all sizes, denominations and organizational styles. Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments