About Us
Reach out to members in need.
Mary Ministries Foundation is a non-profit, tax-except 501(c)(3) organization.
The organization is named in memory of Mary Peeling, an intelligent talented woman with a deep and active Christian faith, who surrendered to her mental illness at the age of thirty-two.
Unfortunately, mental disorders are often a stigmatizing condition that frequently excludes persons with it from full participation in faith communities.
Although many of these communities have made great strides to accommodate and include persons with a physical disabilities though elevators, ramps, sign language interpreters, audio assistance devices, etc., attitudinal barriers remain in place regarding mental disabilities. While these barriers often arise innocently from lack of knowledge or misunderstanding of mental illness, they are nonetheless real.
Since recovery for those with a mental disorder is faster and better with the support of family, friends, and community, Mary Ministries is committed to removing these barriers though public education and advocacy for those with mental illness.
Today, Mary Ministries Foundation works with all types of religious organizations to educate their leaders and members on mental illness, connect them with local resources, and to help create and cultivate a supportive environment for all.
For more information about our free educational workshops or to request that we present for your community of faith, contact us today.
Our Workshops
Mary Ministries conducts free open workshops for communities of faith covering an array of topics:
- Understanding mental illnesses
- Experiences of mental illness
- Changing people's minds & attitudes
- Seeking help, finding support
Religious Leaders
Our leadership workshop is designed to educate clergy, religious leaders and administrators on mental disorders, help them better understand and serve followers with these diseases, and identify where to go for help. We discuss how to change peoples attitude about mental illness and how to create and maintain a welcoming supportive environment for all.
Congregations
Our congregational workshop focuses on changing peoples attitude about mental illness by discussing common disorders and learning first hand what is is like to live with these diseases. In addition, we cover productive ways of showing support for family, friends, and other followers suffering from mental illness.