"God, most of us in this room have been called to serve you."
It began with prayer for clergy - men and women from different faiths who lead religious communities throughout Northern Nevada. They were invited to this training to learn about the vital role they play in supporting our veterans when they come home.
“People have lived in a community, they've been part of a community and our clergy are very important leaders in those communities.”
John Oliver is a chaplain for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - the agency that hosted the training. He says all service men and women come home with invisible wounds - maybe depression, anger or fear - but most don't seek help from psychologists because of the stigma. “The research shows that people are five times more likely to go to their clergy for mental health care than they are to all other mental health care providers combined.”
“In my role as a minister, I can be of great use and great service.”
Karen Linsley is with the Center for Spiritual Living in Carson City. And even though she lives with a veteran, she says there is so much more she understands now. “The reactions they're having even though they don't feel normal are normal - they're very much normal - there's nothing wrong with them.”
“We really need this because there are some very specific things that somebody not familiar with the military would know,” says Steep Weiss, First Church of Christ, Scientist, Carson City.
Oliver says there are a couple of things he hopes clergy will take away from today's training. “I hope that they - one - won't judge, and that, two - that they'll listen. That's one of the best things families and communities can do is listen to our veterans.”
For more information, go to http://www.ruralhealth.va.gov/clergytraining/
1. Center for Spiritual Living
1927 N. Carson Street
Carson City, NV
530-906-9336
2. First Church of Christ, Scientist
110 Clear Creek Avenue
Carson City, NV
3. Reno Fire Department
1 E. 1st Street, 4th Floor
Reno, NV 98505
775-560-4861
