About
Welcome to Our Stigma, a project led by Pastor Seth Perry, dedicated to addressing mental health stigma within church communities. He utilizes writing, videos, and educational sessions to initiate dialogue on mental health stigma. Seth lives well with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder type 1, and he aims to promote understanding and support both inside and outside faith communities.
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God Isn’t Keeping Score!
Human nature inclines us to tally our faults. Yet in matters of spirituality, we may find it surprising that God doesn’t maintain a scorecard. Take a moment to read this devotion and grant yourself some grace.
I’m a Pastor…and a People Pleaser.
People pleasing doesn’t seem detrimental. Why wouldn’t you want to make other people happy? Have you ever considered the cost?
The Kitchen Table
A reflection on self acceptance: Your kitchen table serves many purposes. Who’s invited? Have you left room for yourself?
Airport Anxiety
I have felt anxiety as long as I can remember. In this devotion I will explore my relationship with anxious feelings.
The Imperfect Pastor
I always forget that I am not perfect and I cannot achieve perfection. I meet a lot of people that struggle with this as well.
Medication Compliance- The Basics
The most common question I get is about staying on medication. Read this to see what I have to say on medication compliance.
My Diagnosis is not my Personality
A mental health condition can significantly impact your life. Upon receiving my diagnosis, I found myself questioning if bipolar disorder had eclipsed my personality. However, over time and through treatment, I gained hope.
New Day Resolution
New Years Resolutions are tough for me. I try to make a “New Day Resolution” when I wake up.
It’s the Most Triggering Time of the Year!
The Holiday Season brings a host of challenges to anyone in mental health or addiction recovery. Here are the five things that I do every Holiday Season to stay engaged in my recovery.
Archive
Read More Here
- April 2024 (3)
- March 2024 (1)
- February 2024 (2)
- January 2024 (1)
- December 2023 (3)
- November 2023 (4)
- October 2023 (5)
- September 2023 (4)
- August 2023 (5)
- July 2023 (1)
“In this day and age, people should feel comfortable talking about their mental health diagnosis at church.”
In February 2023, Pastor Seth Perry made the decision to openly share his mental health diagnosis at church. Since then, he has aimed to initiate conversations about mental health and its relationship with faith. His own experiences with a mental health condition, coupled with his commitment to therapy and a healthy lifestyle, have enabled him to effectively pursue his calling as a pastor while managing his condition. Pastor Seth Perry hopes to create an inclusive and supportive environment where individuals struggling with mental health challenges, both inside and outside the church, can find understanding, acceptance, and the necessary resources for healing and growth.
Supported By...
Launched with the generous backing of a Mental Health Awareness Grant from the St. Paul Area Synod of the ELCA, the ‘Our Stigma’ initiative stands for change and understanding. This project also finds unwavering support from Elim Lutheran Church in Scandia, MN. In the fall of 2023 the project received additional financial support from a Health and Wellness Partner Grant from M Health Fairview and a Walmart Community Grant. Join the mission to break down stigma, embrace empathy, and use the hashtag #giveupthestigma to spread the message further.
Written by Seth
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Featuring Seth
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