Mental Health Connect today
Mental Health Connect (MHC) is a collaborative of faith communities, working together to help destigmatize mental illness and make sure all are able to find the help they need. We eliminate barriers to accessing care. We believe mental health care is integral to overall health and everyone deserves treatment, no exceptions. Our services are free, customized, and confidential.
We help faith communities develop and enhance their mental health ministry, offer education events and workshops to name a few. We have a free navigation line for assistance in accessing resources—we follow you from the beginning to the end of your journey. We are funded through grants and donations.
Mental Health Connect is a 501(c)(3) organization, sponsored by Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities.
Two main focuses
The Mental Health Collaborative provides mental health educational programming in faith communities, bringing people together to raise awareness and reduce stigma. Learn more about the Mental Health Collaborative.
Mental Health Navigators help people gain access to mental health services and support with resource navigation. Learn more about Mental Health Navigators.
Our mission
Mental Health Connect provides community-based resources, support, and education to improve access to mental health services and to connect individuals to the services they need.
When you or someone you know is experiencing mental health concerns, you may have questions.
What support is available for my family? What treatment is available, and how do I get it? Who can help me financially, emotionally, physically?
Mental Health Connect is a good first step toward answering these questions and more. If you’re living with mental illness, or think you may be, or have friends or family that are suffering – Mental Health Connect is for you. The Mental Health Navigator can help find mental health treatments, resources, support, and education.
Why choose Mental Health Connect?
Navigating the ins and outs of the mental health system is overwhelming when mental symptoms are present. We support people in their desire to feel better and embrace their strengths by providing resources, support, and education needed in their journey to mental health and wellness.
“You have begun to change a gaping wound. So many others are not so lucky. I am so blessed to be getting your help. You are doing a service no one offers anywhere. It is life-saving!”
The history of MHC
Written by Diane Waarvik, board member and creator of MHC
In 2014, I was approached by a member of the Epiphany Legacy Fund group asking what Bethlehem Lutheran could do for families living with mental illness. I took this question very seriously because of the growing need in this area.
Together, nurse practitioner Gretchen Porterand and I soon formed a task force to look at mental health needs and
care in our communities. The task force was made up of individuals living with mental illness, family members, and mental health practitioners.
Mental Health Connect (MHC) was created from the work of this task force. We used a model that consisted of volunteer navigators and no peer specialist—the struggle to find the right model was present.
In 2017, we had six faith communities in the Collaborative—in three years, we grew to more than 30 faith communities.
Today, we’ve grown deeper in many ways and we employ an executive director, a lead navigator, six volunteer navigators, and part-time coordinators of outreach and communications.
We continue to be an outreach ministry of Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities, and we’re grateful for their ongoing support and commitment to MHC.
We have over 35 faith communities in the Collaborative today—we give thanks to them all.
We look forward to a bright future for MHC!