Learning & Resources

Shalem Mental Health Network

Resources

There’s been an affair … now what do I do?

There’s been an affair … now what do I do?

[6 minute read]TL;DR: An affair raises many questions, feelings and decisions for both the partner who engaged in the affair and the person who was betrayed. Whether partners stay together or not depends on many factors, including the quality of the relationship prior...

AI and Mental Health: A tool, not a substitute

AI and Mental Health: A tool, not a substitute

[7 minute read]TL;DR: Increasingly, people are turning to AI for mental health information and support. While AI can be a useful resource, it can not provide the connection and empathy of a loved one, or the skill, insight, responsibility and ethics of a human mental...

Do We Understand Addiction?

Do We Understand Addiction?

[5 minute read]TL;DR: Addiction can be an overwhelming subject for many people. There are various definitions that can be used to explain how addiction comes to be. The most important aspect to note is that addiction is a form of coping, a response to emotional,...

Choosing Hope: an Act of Resistance

Choosing Hope: an Act of Resistance

[6 minute read]TL;DR: Hope is a deliberate act, a form of resistance. Hope doesn’t erase pain, but give us courage to face it. There are four dimensions of hope: emotional hope coexists with lament, cognitive hope fosters agency and pathways forward, spiritual hope...

The Vulnerable Path of Leadership

The Vulnerable Path of Leadership

[7 minute read] TL;DR:  The trend toward leadership characterized by humility and vulnerability is being challenged by many current leaders choosing a model of leadership based on a more dominant and distant approach. Both Dominant and Vulnerable styles of leadership...

Suicide – let’s talk about it

Suicide – let’s talk about it

[5 minute read]WARNING: This article discusses suicide.TL;DR: When we come across suicide, either in our own thoughts, or in the life of someone we are close to, it can be bewildering and scary. Thoughts of suicide and feelings of despair can show up when the storms...

Understanding Aging and Dementia

Understanding Aging and Dementia

[8 minute read]TL;DR: Aging is a process that impacts us on many levels and involves a wide range of reactions. While normal aging comes with some cognitive changes, dementia is a disease that causes significant decline in cognitive functions, distinct from normal...

Coping with Political Stress

Coping with Political Stress

[7 minute read]TL;DR: Many people are feeling overwhelmed, worried, or even despondent in today’s political climate and by the constant stream of news. Political stress can impact relationships, mental health, and even faith communities, leaving us feeling exhausted...

Tending to our Relationships

Tending to our Relationships

[8 minute read]TL;DR: Relationships need regular maintenance and at times, expert help. Many couples wait years before getting help, but earlier interventions can help replace negative interaction patterns with loving connections. Learning about how to navigate...

How do I know when I should be getting help?

How do I know when I should be getting help?

[4 minute read]TL;DR: At times life can become difficult and we may need extra emotional or mental health help. Signals that we need support include big feelings that are hard to settle, persistent thoughts that interfere with focus or sleep, increasing conflict in...

Art Therapy: A Case Study

Art Therapy: A Case Study

SALEM Digest, Spring/Summer, 2007 Michelle De Boer Trevor* is a good student. He is quiet and cooperative, plays well with the other children in his grade three class, listens attentively to the teacher and does well on his assignments. Trevor is the youngest of two...

Building the Bonds of Attachment

Building the Bonds of Attachment

SALEM Digest, Spring/Summer, 2007 Betty J.B. Brouwer A number of changes and developments have been taking place at Salem as a result of the visioning that Salem’s board and staff have been engaged in over the last couple of years. As a result Salem has begun...

CAP: Counselling Assistance Program

CAP: Counselling Assistance Program

Our Counselling Assistance Plan (CAP) is an affordable program that enables churches, schools, and non-profits to make short-term professional Christian counselling, workshops, and resources available to your members and staff. Through our faith-informing practices,...

ClergyCare and LeaderCare

ClergyCare and LeaderCare

We recognize the unique calling and challenges of leadership. This program connects pastors, leaders and their family members to professional Christian therapist who offer guidance to restore mental wellbeing. We also provide professional development opportunities for...

FaithCare: Facilitated Conversations

FaithCare: Facilitated Conversations

A Restorative Response to Conflict or When Harm has Occurred What is a facilitated conversation? A facilitated conversation is a structured response to conflict or when harm has occurred that allows participants to talk about what happened, and how they and others...

FaithCare: Listening Circles

FaithCare: Listening Circles

Shalem’s Restorative Practice program has developed a resource called Listening Circles to help groups and communities facilitate conversations about specific topics. Developed as part of the  FaithCare program to help churches address challenging topics or...

FaithCare: Restorative Practice and Congregational Life

FaithCare: Restorative Practice and Congregational Life

Restorative practice is a way of thinking and being, focused on creating safe spaces for real conversations that deepen relationships and build stronger and more connected communities. Restorative practice builds relational capacity. Features of a restorative approach...

FaithCare: Restorative Practice

FaithCare: Restorative Practice

Healthy Relationships Restorative churches, schools and organizations respect differences as inevitable and necessary for growth. Restorative churches, schools and organizations:  strive to build healthy relationships where differences are respected  experiences...

Why WrapAround?

Why WrapAround?

https://player.vimeo.com/video/81829834?h=16344a1bd3 Why WrapAround? from Shalem Mental Health Network on Vimeo.