Over the past two years of the pandemic, an increasing number of our congregants have come to the church for help with personal issues like depression, substance abuse, and domestic violence.

Our leaders minister to them and often need to refer them to others. View a list of resources in this PDF or in this post. Synod staff members and rostered ministers are looking for community resources for emergency agencies and other agencies to meet those needs. 

Barbara Keller will host a one hour zoom workshop on Thursday, Mar 3, 2022 9am MST, 8 am PST. Register here. These workshops would be especially helpful to new pastors to your synod, interim pastors, and interns. If you are unable to attend this meeting the session will be recorded and be available for viewing, if you sign up you will get a link to the recording.

Resource List

• SUICIDE PREVENTION. Information lifeline   1-800-273-8255

  • Immediate danger -911

  • Local crisis centers hotline-check county website

  • Have the number of the local police department

• REGULAR MENTAL HEALTH- special needs

  • Lutheran Social Services (LSS) Ask about pastoral counseling

  • County and State websites for community mental health centers

  • Talk with colleagues about recommendations for therapists.

  • Offer congregants several choices

• SAMHSA- National Hotline-Substance abuse and Mental Health Services 

  • Administration 1-800-662-4357

  • County website for local D/A treatment/resources

  • Google locations for 12 step programs

• DOMESTIC VIOLENCE- National Number 1-800-799-7233

  • County Website-DV center and safehouse

• CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT- National resource 1-800-962-2873

  • County website for making a report about vulnerable populations- Child Protective Services (CPS) 

• SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINSTRATION 1-800-772-1213

  • County Website for local numbers/locations

• VETERANS AFFAIRS National information 1-800-698-2411

  • Google local treatment locations, often near VA hospitals

• OTHER SPECIAL NEEDS:

  • Advocacy agencies for those going to court for sexual assault/abuse, restraining orders for domestic violence, available from county District Attorney Office.

  • Check county website for information: payment for back utility bills, emergency shelters/homeless issues, free or payment plan medical clinic.