The Hope and Healing Center & Institute (HHCI) recently announced the recent launch of the Houston Hope Line, a new, free mental health service that is an alternative to a traditional crisis hotline.
We were honored to have Dr. Matthew Stanford invited to join the “Need for Reform” panel discussion on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at the White House Mental Health Summit. (more…)
The church’s response to child and adolescent mental health disorders has too often been characterized by fear and misinformation rather than grace or wisdom. The result has been families that desperately need practical advice and pastoral care on these disorders, and on the thorny issues that often surround them.
Gateway to Hope was featured in an insightful article from the Episcopal News Service that highlights the mission and the mindset behind the work that we’re doing at Gateway to Hope and the Hope and Healing Center & Institute.
Read Full Article Here
Gateway to Hope is included as a best practice in An Inventory of Faith and Mental Health Initiatives compiled by the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute on behalf of the H.E. Butt Foundation. The inventory of faith and mental health initiatives in San Antonio and best practices in Texas and nationally was compiled due to the significant role faith communities can play in supporting the recovery journeys of individuals with mental illness, especially when collaborating with mental health providers.
To view the Executive Summary, click here.
To view the full Faith and Mental Health Initiatives report, Click here.
Gateway to Hope and Hope and Healing Center & Institute were featured as faith communities working to address mental health by SAMHSA.
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Matthew Stanford PhD was recently featured on an enlightening episode of Houston Baptist University’s podcast, “Think About It…”. (more…)
Hope and Healing Center & Institute Fellow Launches Nonprofit Cultivating Families
Hope and Healing Center & Institute’s Fellow in Adoption and Foster Care, Amy Bezecny, MDiv, has successfully launched a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called Cultivating Families following her two-year research fellowship. The fellowship was funded by the Houston Endowment to provide Amy with the opportunity to “incubate” a program that inspires and equips faith communities to support families with the adoption and foster care children.
Cultivating Families offers families and faith communities many ways to get involved in the adoption and foster care of children, including an awareness event, prayer initiative, support group, decisions class, and adoptive and foster care parent training. For more information, please visit cultivatingfamilies.org.
The HHCI’s fellows are involved in transformative research that bridges the gap between the mental health and faith communities. Two-year fellowships are offered to scholars in recognition of their unique potential to make substantial contributions to the mental health programs and services we offer. For more information on our fellows and research underway http://hopeandhealingcenter.org/fellows/.
The Hope and Healing Center & Institute’s 8th Annual Chrysalis Award Luncheon will take place from 11:15 am – 1:00 pm on May 7, 2019 in the Legends Ballroom at the Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria Hotel. For additional details visit this link.
The luncheon will feature keynote speaker Vikram Patel, PhD, MBBS, a psychiatrist and professor of global health and social medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Patel’s work the past two decades has focused on reducing the mental health treatment gap through peer-delivered care.
Luncheon chairs are Wendy and Ben Moreland.
Please plan to join us!
For more information on event underwriting and tickets, please contact:
Elizabeth Crockett at 713-830-4143 or lcrockett@hopeandhealingcenter.org
Hope and Healing Center & Institute’s educational programming focuses on strengthening the physical, mental, spiritual, and relational health of families and individuals across the full cycle of life. Programs cover topics such as parenting, depression and bipolar disorder, addiction, blended families, caring for the caregiver, marriage, dementia, and adoption.
These formal presentations feature leading experts in their respective fields. Additionally, programs are delivered in collaboration with many of our partner organizations such as; the Alzheimer’s Association, Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter, and re:MIND. Most HHCI programs are free.
For more information please see our event calendar.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – The Hope and Healing Center & Institute in Houston, Texas, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Crystal Collier as the Murphy-Petersen Behavioral Health Fellow effective July 3, 2018. Behavioral health encompasses behavioral factors in chronic illness care, care of physical symptoms associated with stress rather than diseases, and health behaviors, as well as mental health and substance use conditions and diagnoses.
Dr. Crystal Collier specializes in working with adolescents and adults suffering from mental illness, behavior disorders, and substance abuse. She holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology and a doctorate in counselor education. Her area of expertise includes adolescent brain development, prevention programming, independent living skills training, parent coaching, and training new clinicians. Dr. Collier created a comprehensive prevention model to teach the neurodevelopmental effects of risky behavior to children, teens, and parents which was selected for the 2015 Prevention and Education Commendation from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. In addition, Crystal teaches counseling skills and addiction classes as an adjunct professor and was awarded the Torch Bearer of the Year award in 2018 by the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals. Her work as the new Murphy-Petersen Behavioral Health Fellow will include a publication called The Whereabouts Bookto help parents understand high risk behavior which arises during different developmental stages of children and prevention tools which can be implemented.
“We are very excited to have Dr. Collier join us at the HHCI. Her research into the prevention of high-risk behaviors in adolescents as well as her training as a licensed therapist will be a great addition to the Center,” said Dr. Matthew Stanford, CEO, Hope and Healing Center & Institute.
HHCI’s research fellows are involved in transformative research that bridges the gap between mental health and faith. Current fellowships include:
Hope and Healing Center & Institute
The Hope and Healing Center & Institute is a comprehensive mental health resource dedicated to transforming lives and restoring hope through education, training, clinical services and research.
For more information, please visit www.hopeandhealingcenter.org.
Houston, TX—Erica Fletcher, PhD, has joined the Hope and Healing Center & Institute as a new Research Fellow. Erica Fletcher began her new position in June.
As the Zorich Fellow in Mental Health Policy, Dr. Fletcher will continue her work to support community-based approaches to mental health, and collaborate with local coalitions, organizations, and other stakeholders in advocating for innovative mental health policy. Her current research investigates best practices within peer-operated crisis respite programs.
Dr. Fletcher completed her PhD at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She received her BS in Anthropology, Sociology and Psychology from The University of Houston and served as a Visiting Assistant Professor for her alma mater. Erica grew up in Houston.
Mental health problems impact nearly every aspect of our society. Public policy makes a difference in the lives of both the people living with a mental illness and the people in their lives. Changes in policy can mean more accessible and affordable care for those struggling. Public policy is critical in transforming and improving mental health care access in the state of Texas. As the Zorich Fellow in Mental Health Policy at the Hope and Healing Center & Institute, Dr. Erica Fletcher will interact with state leaders, policymakers and other stakeholders to raise the level of discourse and improve the care and treatment of individuals living with a mental illness.