Global Conference on Women's Mental Health

Global Conference on Women's Mental Health

The General Conference Global Health and Lifestyle Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, brought together representatives from World Health Organization (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization and more than 600 leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church July 6-11, 2009.

GC Women's Ministries held a workshop during the conference on the topic "Women's Health Issues: Optimal Mental and Emotional Health." By the final day there were over 80 persons in attendance. The presenters were Katia Reinert, RN, MSN, FNP, FCN, a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Public Health Clinical Nurse Specialist; Vicki Griffin, MPA, MACN (Research Director, author); Candace Huber, MPH, BSN, RN, FCN (Director at Florida Hospital); Heather-Dawn Small, GCWM director, and Raquel Arrais, GCWM Associate director.

On Friday, the Women's Ministries Department met with representatives from each division who were attending the conference. Small opened the presentation on the issue of women's mental health, the church's response, and the reason for research. Reinert presented the research and explained what was in the report. To close, Arrais shared how the church can use this information and the need for departments to work together to educate church members and to assist those in need.

Small encouraged each Women's Ministries division director to partner with their division HM director to ensure that this material reaches WM leaders at all levels and that plans are made to help members address the issue of Mental Health.

 

"Many of the diseases from which men suffer are the result of mental depression. Grief, Anxiety, Discontent, Remorse, guilt, distrust, all tend to break down the life forces and to invite decay and death." E.G. White, Ministry of Healing, p 241

 



Global Conference on Women's Mental Health Objectives

  • Discuss global issues affecting women and address its impact on women's mental health
  • Identify prominent mental and emotional disorders facing women and explore their connection to whole-person health.
  • Examine wholistic, evidence based interventions for women experiencing mental and emotional disorders.
  • Explore the role of faith-based organizations in promoting mental health risk reduction and treatment for women.
  • Address the role of women in primary mental health education with the purpose of promoting family wellness.

 

Focus on the News

FOCUS ON THE NEWS


Women's Emphasis Day

Sudan-Trans-European Division

Members around Khartoum, Sudan, gathered for the Women's Ministries Emphasis Day on June 13. The women participated in leading the worship on Sabbath with a congregation of 300, including 13 visitors. The worship service was led by Jocelyne Milla, Sarah Napagi was the speaker, and Rose Yugu Yangi was the translator.

Reports by women coordinators from local churches in the South Sudan Field pertaining to their women's ministries' activities were part of the day's program.

Jebel Aulia Church was represented by Mama Claudia, who is blind; yet, through her many women have joined the church. She is able to share God with the community. She has memorized the Bible texts that she asks someone to read for her.

Kalakala Church was represented by Mama Savia Ogiza. She is the only lady in her church who can read English. She encourages women to read and write through literacy classes.

The Haji Youisif Church was represented by Mama Rose Luka Ayella. Women in Haji Yousif have been actively involved in home visitation. They provide a sewing class for non-members.

The afternoon seminar was conducted by Conchita Edpalina; it was entitled "How to Stay Young and Vibrant." The congregation enjoyed a "Women in the Bible" quiz and singing. At the end of the program the groups received gifts.

Sarah Napagi, Sudan Field WM Director

 

Evangelism, Philippines

Southern Asia-Pacific Division

The year 2009 is the "Year of Evangelism" for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Philippines. The North Philippine Union Conference Women's Ministries Department launched a Kick-Off program by conducting evangelism seminar/workshop during weekends which started February 20-22 and ended this May.

Helen B. Gulfan, SSD Women's Ministries Director, conducted the training with other Women's Ministries Union and Conference leaders. The topics included: The Gospel Commission, One-to-One Evangelism, The Role of the Holy Spirit in Evangelism, The Mission of Hope, and Discipling New Members.

SSD Women's Ministries are committed to dedicating their talents and skills to the Lord. Their goal is not only to win more souls, but that His name be glorified.

Esther T. Daquila, NPUC WM Director


Training Seminars, Austria

Euro-Africa Division

Fifty women attended a Women's Ministries training weekend in June in Austria with Dr. Ella Simmons, Vice-President of the world church. Below is a personal testimony from a young participant:

"Women came from all over Austria and Switzerland to attend the Women's Ministries training weekend. I invited my non-SDA neighbor to come along with me. Dr. Ella Simmons, vice-president at the General Conference, was the guest speaker for the training sessions on "Mentoring." The whole group was eager to learn and was listening attentively to her teachings which were very practical and biblically orientated. Christiane Vertallier, EUD WM director, also gave an interesting report about the several activities of women in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We had a lot of joy by singing songs, talking to each other, or by going for walks around the lake. On Sunday morning my neighbor said to me: 'I see, we have many things together but your faith goes much deeper.' For me this remark of hers was the most wonderful experience of the whole weekend, and we both hope that such a weekend will be organized again."

Testimony by Eva Reuter, a young musician and book evangelist

 

Inspiration for You

INSPIRATION FOR YOU


How to Pray for an Hour

An hour each day-for one year. That's more than 45 eight hour days! Imagine arranging your schedule to allow for 6 weeks each year to pray. And what a difference it would make! More prayer, more power. Little prayer, little power.

"The greatest victories to the church of Christ or to the individual Christian are not those that are gained by talent or education, by wealth or the favour of men. They are victories that are gained in the audience chamber with God, when earnest, agonizing faith lays hold upon the mighty arm of power." E. G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 203.

Here's a wonderful way to help you stay on course. If you take only five minutes for each of these prayer methods, you will have spent one hour. You'll come away refreshed, steadied, encouraged, empowered, because He has promised, and He is faithful.

  • Praise - Recognize God's nature.  Psalm 63:2
  • Waiting - Silent soul surrender. He will quiet your heart. Psalm 46:10
  • Confession -Temple cleansing time. He brings peace. Psalm 139:23
  • Scripture praying - Word-enriched prayer. Jeremiah 23:29
  • Watching - Developing holy alertness. Colossians 4:2
  • Intercession - Remember those around you, and the world. 1 Timothy 2:1,2
  • Petition - Share your specific personal needs with God. Matthew 7:7
  • Thanksgiving - Confess specific blessings of all kinds. 1 Thessalonians. 5:18
  • Singing - Worship in song. Use prayer songs. Psalm 100:2
  • Meditation - Ponder words of Scripture and Spirit of Prophecy. Joshua 1:8
  • Listening - Receive spiritual instruction from God. Ecclesiastes 5:2
  • Praise - Begin and end prayer with the focus on God. Psalm 52:9

 

Praying with the Heart

The Bible teaches that sin will even stop God hearing our prayers (Psalm 66:18). It teaches, among other things, that if we pray with doubt we will not get an answer (James 1:6-7).

Here's how to be heard:

1. Pray with faith (Hebrews 11:6).

2. Pray with clean hands and a pure heart (Psalm 24:3-4).

3. Pray genuine heart-felt prayers rather than vain repetitions (Matthew 6:7).

4. Make sure that you are praying to the God revealed in the Holy Scriptures (Exodus 20:3-6).


God's Promise

"Our compassionate Redeemer is watching you with love and sympathy, ready to hear your prayers and to render you the assistance which you need....

"He who gave back to the widow her only son as he was carried to the burial is touched today by the woe of the bereaved mother. He who wept tears of sympathy at the grave of Lazarus and gave back to Martha and Mary their buried brother; who pardoned Mary Magdalene; who remembered His mother when He was hanging in agony upon the cross; who appeared to the weeping women and made them His messengers to spread the first glad tidings of a risen Saviour--He is woman's best friend today and is ready to aid her in all the relations of life." Ellen White, Adventist Home, p. 204.

Heather Haworth, British Union Women's Ministries director

 

Six Issues that Impact Women Globally

Editorial


Six Issues that Impact Women Globally

United Nations Millennium Development Goals

 

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight international development goals that 192 United Nations member states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by the year 2015. They include reducing extreme poverty, reducing child mortality rates, fighting epidemics such as AIDS, and developing a global partnership for development.

The General Conference Women's Ministries Department notes the similarity to our Six Challenge Issues that impact women globally with the Millennium Development Goals. Through our ministry we want to help the women to achieve their full potential, socially, spiritually, and mentally. Here is our list of issues and the matching MDGs.

1. Poverty

MDG 1 - Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
MDG 7 - Ensure environmental sustainability

2. Lack of Training, Mentoring and Leadership Opportunities

MDG 2 - Achieve universal primary education

3. Illiteracy

MDG 3 - Promote gender equality and empower women

4. Abuse

MDG 3 - Promote gender equality and empower women;
MDG 4 - Reduce child mortality

5. Women's Health

MDG 4 - Reduce child mortality;
MDG5 - Improve maternal health;
MDG 6 - Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases

6. Work Loads

MDG 8 - A global partnership for development

 

 


 

Prayer Corner

  • Women involved with literacy projects
  • Raquel's Travel to ESD - Moldova and Russia
  • Heather-Dawn Small's travel to IAD - Mexico City
  • NAD Women's Convention "Free Indeed"

Calendar

  • September 2: International Day of Peace
  • September 8: International Literacy Day