by Hanna Singh
Mental health professionals took center stage Saturday morning as students, parents, educators and community members gathered for the Mt. Zion Community Faith Healing Restoration Project’s “Behind the Scenes of Mental Health” event.
Through breakout sessions and discussions led by counselors, educators and local leaders, attendees explored ways to recognize mental health challenges and help break down the stigma surrounding conversations about mental wellness.
Held at the Zion Traveler Baptist Church Family Life Center, the free event served children from prekindergarten through college while also offering sessions for parents and teachers. Participants were divided into age-specific breakout sessions designed to address the unique mental health challenges faced during different stages of life. The event also provided registered students with bags of supplies for the upcoming school year, along with breakfast and lunch for all attendees.
Prekindergarten through third-grade students participated in activities centered on understanding feelings, building healthy friendships and developing emotional awareness. Fourth- and fifth-grade students explored the effects of bullying while learning practical exercises to help manage anxiety. Middle school students discussed stress management, emotional resilience and the impact of social media on mental health. High school and college students focused on stress management, academic burnout and strategies for maintaining their overall well-being.
Meanwhile, parents and teachers gathered for sessions centered on bridging the gap between home, school and the community. Their session emphasized the importance of working together to support children’s mental health and create environments where they can thrive.
Board President Doris Hammock explained the overall goal behind the event and highlighted the importance of having the hard conversations on mental health.
“Our goal in Mt. Zion Community Faith Healing Restoration Project is to pull all of our communities together and educate people about mental health,” Hammock said. “What a great way to allow students, teachers and parents to come together and start a conversation on how to deal with this issue. We thank God for the facilitators who came together to help us, from the educators from Head Start to the college professors who recognize the need and came to get information to assist our youth. And let’s not forget the youth directors of the community churches that brought their youth. We exceeded our numbers, but thanks to the staff and the many volunteers who helped us fix food, fill backpacks and assist facilitators in classes, we did it.”
The event was made possible through the efforts of local faith leaders, mental health professionals and community volunteers who shared their knowledge and experiences throughout the morning. Presenters included Pastor E.C. Morgan of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Dr. Kendra McMurry, Minister Darrius Stewart, Dr. Tiffany Bates, Dr. Stephanie Bundle, Dr. Elise Reed, Dr. Rhonda Pruitt, licensed professional counselor Roddric Johnson, assistant district attorney Mike Smith and licensed clinical social worker Jamie Arthurlee. Together, they led discussions to equip attendees with tools to navigate mental health challenges while encouraging open conversation about mental wellness within families, schools and the broader community.
Dr. Rhonda Pruitt shared about her experience in dealing with mental health issues, specifically addressing the stigma around mental health conversations.
“I experienced the loss of my brother as a young child, and it affected me mentally very deeply,” Pruitt said. “My mother hadn’t seen that I needed some help because in our culture, the Black culture, it’s instilled in us to keep it to ourselves. It’s important to let these children know that grown people like us have been through some things too and that we can relate to some of the things they’re going through. That it’s OK to talk to somebody. If they know that we have spoken to somebody or that we needed help, it sort of gives them the OK to ask for help too.”
Organized by the Mt. Zion Community Faith Healing Restoration Project, “Behind the Scenes of Mental Health” reflected the organization’s mission to address the growing need for mental health resources in all communities. Through its initiatives, the project supports school-aged children by providing mental health education, referrals, telehealth access and resources related to depression, anxiety, trauma and family stress. Organizers hope that through events like this one, they will continue to raise awareness and connect more individuals with the resources they need.
Local youth leader and volunteer Evelyn Cooper described the need for events like this one for children and families to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health resources.
“What we’re doing is trying to bring the youth together as one, so that they can get strength, encouragement and motivation from one another,” Cooper said. “I think it’s very powerful to educate students about mental health from a young age because children need to have tools in their toolbox to use when they are faced with difficult obstacles. A lot of times children don’t know how to handle things, and by being given knowledge before a crisis, it helps them to be more proactive toward better options.”
In addition to the breakout sessions, several community organizations hosted resource booths where families could learn more about local mental health and youth services. Mike Smith shared information and resources for children and families, while Dr. Elise Reed and the Community Enrichment Program provided journals for mental health journaling and spoke to attendees about the importance of releasing emotions through healthy outlets.
“We stand for the mission of the Restoration Project. As a part of our mission, we are dedicated to education, treatment and service in mental health, so being a part of this event just further helps us to expand our mission,” Reed said. “Mental health is for all. So we are here stressing the importance of mental health, mental health services and helping people understand that there is a difference between mental health and mental illness. We all have mental health that we have to take care of. In our booth, we spotlighted journaling for people of all ages. You can basically start journaling as young as you can hold a pen in your hand, whether that’s writing or just drawing. There is great power in journaling. It can be a great way to release emotion.”
By bringing together mental health professionals, educators, faith leaders and community partners, the Mt. Zion Community Faith Healing Restoration Project has created a stronger support network for children and families while encouraging open discussions about mental health. Organizers said they remain committed to expanding access to resources and hosting more events to raise awareness in the future.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
