Forum and podcast are helping faith communities better support Minnesotans who are struggling

As funding for mental health in Minnesota is cut, some groups are working hard to make up for losses.

“We need to continue to fight for the betterment of our communities,” says Pastor Seth Perry of Elim Lutheran Church in Scandia, Minnesota.

Earlier this month, Perry hosted “The Mental Health Faith Forum” in Stillwater, just weeks after the Minnesota Department of Human Services lost hundreds of contracts, amounting to $27.5 million, as part of massive federal cuts.

“I’m someone in recovery who could very well be living on the street or hospitalized,” said Perry. “I was lucky to get to this point, but many people are not.” Perry struggled with alcohol, drugs, and a bipolar diagnosis. He got sober and became a pastor eight years later. He made it his mission to bring light to the dark topics of addiction and mental health, especially in faith communities.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) says more than 800,000 Minnesotans have a mental health condition. Another 500,000 Minnesotans struggle with addiction, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

Perry received a grant from Washington County opioid settlement funds to host his forum on May 3. The event drew 130 attendees who listened to a compelling list of diverse speakers with stories of struggle and recovery. The morning began with a blessing from Richard Wright or Black Crow, who is an elder of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and an alcohol and drug counselor for more than 20 years. Also among the speakers was Farhia Budul, a woman in long-term recovery who created Niyyah Recovery Initiative, the first recovery community organization in the nation for the East African Community. Kody Green talked about his religious trauma and schizophrenia diagnosis at the age of 28. Today, Green uses his platform of 1 million followers on TikTok to shed light on mental health and recovery.

“For me to see people from the Somali community taking pictures and collaborating with members of Indigenous and Hmong communities, that is vital right now in our nation’s history,” Perry said.

The impact of the event was also evident to Geno Tuccitto. “It was short and sweet, yet powerful.” Tuccitto is a member of Perry’s congregation in Scandia and familiar with the struggles associated with mental health and addiction. “Replacing family and friends and community with the doom and gloom of our own bedrooms, bars and gambling rooms,” Tuccitto described. “Most people don’t understand that that happens.”

Tuccitto has been sober for more than six years. A heart attack a few months into his sobriety journey helped keep him on track. He also has connections with others who understand his history, including those in his faith community. “The church needs to be that safe space where we can come and talk about those struggles. There’s a lot of people in the pews of our church who can help.”

Tuccitto said he was asked by a church member why they should attend the forum if they don’t battle with addiction or their mental health. He told her, “there’s millions of us who struggle and do not speak of it. You might be able to give them the right word of advice today or tomorrow that could save their life.” Tuccitto also added that listening is an incredibly powerful way to help too.

Perry continues the conversation about faith, mental health and addiction in his podcast, Our Stigma, which was also a recipient of Washington County opioid settlement funds. The 6-episode docuseries podcast released on May 1 is available on every major streaming platform and focuses on breaking the silence around mental health and addictions in a range of communities. You can listen and take advantage of the leader guide and discussion resources released every week in May at www.ourstigma.com.