Speech for Introduction Meeting for Table of Hope Mental Health Ministry:  

 ...We have created this ministry to bring hope and love to our community. I want to share a story with you all to help the vision of how this ministry can help.

A few years ago, we had a cousin come to live with us here in Lumberton. His name was Tyler. He was 26 years old. He was from Louisiana. He was struggling over there and found comfort by being around our family here. He quickly made friends and was excelling at his career as an operator at Goodyear. But he still struggled with depression. In 2020, the comfort that he had found here was taken away. We stayed isolated and we avoided getting together in person. His depression worsened. He confided in my dad who had reached out to the local church as many people do but resources at that time were limited.

On July 12, 2020, Tyler died by suicide. I tell this very personal and hard story to not make us sad or regretful.  I want to show you how this story can be rewritten and how our ministry can bring hope in these difficult moments.

Let’s imagine it… Tyler, a young man who is deeply troubled, feels alone and is struggling with depression. He reaches out to the church as many do. The priest tells him of this ministry and tells him you are not alone and there is hope. He comes to the meetings where he is surrounded with love. He is loved. He is seen. He hears others and learns he really isn’t alone. He hears stories of how others have overcome their depression. There is hope. He doesn’t just learn about the love of God through the scripture, he experiences it through the love of others. I am going to say that again. He doesn’t just learn about the love of God through the scripture, he experiences it through the love of others.  He also is provided information about the clinical support available and other resources. He attends the education meetings and learns the skills and tools that help him. Tyler not only overcomes his depression, he comes out stronger, more connected to God and to others.

This is what this ministry can do. To be clear, this is not to offer therapy and clinical services. This is spiritual support and resource sharing. This is walking with each other hand in hand. Loving and serving each other in our most difficult times.