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Evolution |
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In May 2001 a ground breaking conference for faith leaders was
held entitled Removing the Stigma of Depression.
Sponsored by the Mental Health Association of Maryland ,
Baltimore Mental Health Systems, and the Interdenominational
Ministerial Alliance, the conference featured presentations by
Drs. Annelie B. Primm and Michael A. Torres. The enthusiastic
response of the 70 clergy in attendance prompted Dr. Torres to
propose a sustained effort to address the mental health needs of
the faith community. Unanimous support for the concept led to
the founding of the Institute for Mental Health Ministry, Inc.
in November of 2001. Aided by it's clients, board members,
partnering individuals and organizations the Institute grew and
established a niche on the landscape of mental health services.
Along the way the Institute developed a deeper appreciation of
the devastating impact of untreated mental illness and
consequently was compelled to broaden its vision.
Not only should services be provided that are
consistent with the personal convictions of the founder and
charter board members but the Board of Directors moved the
Institute must become a place where a diverse group of
individuals and organizations can come together and share ideas
and resources for the reduction of disparities in mental health
care. Consistent with the broader vision, in December of 2005
the institute changed its' name to the Center for the
Integration of Spirituality and Mental Health, Inc. |
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Mission |
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Our mission is to promote a model of mental health that
incorporates spirituality and to improve the mental health of
communities by integrating the strengths of the faith community
and the resources of the mental health system. Our primary
activities are designed to promote a greater awareness of mental
health issues in the faith community, to raise awareness of the
significance of spirituality an faith in the delivery of mental
health services, and to provide treatment services that meet the
needs of individuals seeking wholeness of mind, body and spirit. |
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Philosophy |
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We espouse a philosophy we refer to as the
Biopsychospiritual Model
. This model assumes that
each individual is comprised of three dimensions: spirit, mind,
and body, The first assertion is that each dimension has its
continuum of functioning and an optimal range of functioning.
The second is that an imbalance in one dimension adversely
affects the others. The third assertion is that the three
dimensions interact to promote optimal functioning within the
socio-cultural environment. In turn, optimal mental health is
dependent on spiritual, as well as, psychological and physical
well being. |
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Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort
we ourselves have received from God.
II Corinthians 1:3,4 (NIV) |
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