Photos from this past event! David Mandani and Saving Face Saving Grace at People’s Church San Diego.
Importance of Mental Health Awareness Month
This reminder by LifeWay Research highlights the importance of Mental Health Awareness Month! To view the article, click here.
HELP & HOPE for Christians struggling with mental illness? Part 1
By David Mandani
Living with mental illness impacts every area of life. It can impact relationships, school, work, family and friends. Often, the struggle is so great that we begin to question God. Can my circumstances change? Is there hope? Does God exist? As a person living with mental illness, I have learned a few lessons about HELP and HOPE in my own recovery journey. These hard learned lessons have brought wellness into my life, fast tracked my care, and changed my relationships with God and others:
Christian Mental Health is Holistic. Recovery is a journey. A process. A process that can come with twists and turns, ups and downs. It is not a destination. When I was first diagnosed, I wanted a quick fix. However, I quickly learned that recovery brings with it many aspects and choices that promote wellness. For example, recovery is holistic and includes physical, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual growth. Surely, there are even more areas, including but not limited to, finances, vocation, etc. and there are driving principles and truths that aid in maximizing such wellness. We will share more of these time-tested research and biblical principles as we release training and resources on our Saving Face Saving Grace website. Simply put, wellness can be seen as multi-dimensional rather than through one particular lens such as being just physical, just spiritual or perhaps just emotional.
Your Views Can Impede Your Reach. Stigma and misconceptions can stifle one’s progress in moving toward mental wellness and recovery. For instance, if you believe that a Christian living with mental illness lacks faith, or that it must be solely demons that are influencing one’s mind, or perhaps the afflicted person has a sin issue, then you are most likely creating a road block to wellness for yourself or your loved one. And this barrier alone can significantly extend the time it will take to get well. Stigma brings with it its partner of shame when it comes to living with mental illness. Shame also affects families, and it is a recovery killer. It will rob you and your family of life, and isolate you and your loved ones.
I have learned that mental illness does not define you. God does. I am a child of God, not a schizophrenic. Live your life before an audience of One- that is Jesus. Then, you will not need to worry about what others think. This is freedom.
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Studies indicate at least #1in5 people are impacted by mental illness. Over 300 million people worldwide are estimated to suffer from depression alone. Who do you know that needs to hear this message?
An easy way to raise awareness is to share our #nomoreshame message.
Mental illness does not define you. Your story isn’t over.
David Mandani Interviews with Kay Warren
Listen in as Kay Warren interviews SFSG Founder and Pastor of Mental Health at Saddleback Church, David Mandani. As Mental Health Awareness month comes to a close, we want to leave you with just one promise we find in the Bible.
“Those who look to him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame.” Psalm 34:5
Depression Reaches All Time High Worldwide
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released 2017 global statistics. Over 300 million people worldwide are estimated to suffer from depression alone. Check out this video which is a part of their global campaign to increase awareness.
SFSG at Pepperdine University
Special thanks to Pepperdine University for the invitation to speak at Spring Convocation. Hear David Mandani speak to a group of undergraduate students on March 21, 2018 in Malibu, CA. David was also available to speak to individuals both before and after chapel. See video and photos of this past event below:
SFSG Locks Arms with the Assemblies of God General Council
SFSG exhibited at the 57th Annual General Council of the Assemblies of God, the National Youth Convention and Influence Conferences! Held August 7-11, 2017 in Anaheim, CA. We were thrilled to connect with people throughout the globe. For more information, click here.
David Mandani & Sheila Walsh Speak at Transformation Church
David Mandani to Speak at Azusa Pacific University
SFSG is an Official Sponsor of the CCCU
See photos from this past event! For the second year, SFSG joined Campus Ministry Directors and Senior Student Development Officers at the 2017 national conference for the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) in San Diego, CA Feb 8-10, 2017. For more information and conference registration, click here.