Integration of Spirituality and Behavioral Health Summit

Below is an update and announcement from TE Lin Crowe regarding the Integration of Spirituality and Behavioral Health Summit on March 6, 2015

Dear colleagues:

The attached invitation to a March 6th Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health summit seminar on the integration of spiritual & behavioral health in clinical practice is of enormous significance to us who live and labor in this city. Philadelphia leads the nation in forging pathways for the introduction of spiritual & pastoral care in the treatment of persons with mental health and substance abuse addictions.

Commissioner Arthur Evans has blazed a new trail into the stagnant “church/state stalemate” that has prevented much useful biblical & pastoral insight to be provided to consumers of the behavioral health system (mental health hospitals, community clinics, public health centers, drug rehabilitation programs, etc.). The latest research and scientific studies support Philadelphia’s bold foray into the arena of spiritual care in public health.

This half-day seminar with one of the nation’s leading researchers in the field will either introduce you for the first time to an exciting arena of ministry opportunity among Philadelphia's more than 100,000 clients in its treatment centers, or bring you up-to-date on the latest studies undergirding the application of spiritual supports to clinical behavioral health. At the voluntary request & approval of a client in therapy, a pastor, rabbi, imam or other spiritual guide can be included in the course of treatment. This is a new day for the development of successful partnerships for the common good of our people and for the application of centuries-old modalities like prayer, scriptural memory & mediation, and spiritual guidance.

I encourage you to study the attached invitation and register to attend. It is a free event, but space is limited and advanced registration is required.

Best regards,

Lin Crowe

The Integration of Spirituality and Behavioral Health Summit 

Why it Matters

Dr. Arthur C. Evans, Jr, DBHIDS Commissioner
Dr. Ken Pargament, Bowling Green University Professor and leading expert on faith and health

The City of Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services is bringing together the highest level of leaders and experts nationally and locally from the academic, faith and behavioral health community, to introduce the integration of behavioral health and faith in the clinical community.

March 6, 2015
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 
Community Behavioral Health, 11th Flr Conference Rm
801 Market St, Philadelphia, Pa 19107