Mental Health Ministry
What is the CityLight Mental Health Team?
Our goal is to create a safe place for anyone living with mental illness, family members, friends, and anyone who has a passion to journey with others toward hope. This ministry is founded on the spiritual truths that you are loved, you have a purpose, you belong, you have a choice, and you are desperately needed in this world.
Did you know that half of all adults in the U.S. will develop mental illness in their lifetime? That means everyone knows someone who is affected by mental illness. The more people know about mental illness, the better equipped they will be to recognize the signs and address the issues proactively. If you are struggling with mental health issues or know someone who is, and you need help navigating through next steps, please contact us through the form to the right.
Community Resources
We have compiled some lists of resources to help you get started. We can not officially endorse any of these as a church, but we have received these lists from professionals in our community.
Cecil County Behavioral Health Resources
Cecil County Alcohol and Drug Recovery Resources
Ways to get help at CityLight:
- If you have no experience or feel overwhelmed contacting resources we can help you get started.
- If you’d like to set up a meeting with one of our team members to talk, we’d love to meet you.
- We can add you to our prayer email list so you can have others praying for you.
Learn More About Therapy
What is Mental Illness?
Mental Illness includes a wide range of conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior. Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of; it is a medical issue. There are many treatment options for people struggling with mental health issues.
What is Therapy?
Individual therapy is a one on one meeting, with a trained professional, to help you focus on yourself and areas of need in your life. Therapy is different for each individual and with each provider. It is most important that you find someone you are comfortable with and whom you feel is able to meet your needs or support you in a helpful manner. It is okay to call a lot of therapists, or meet with several for first appointments, until you feel you have found a good fit. It is okay to have preferences and most therapists will help support you in finding a comfortable fit for therapy.
How Do I know that I need Therapy or Treatment ?
This list is not exhaustive but helpful in guiding you to receiving help:
- Hard time coping from day to day
- Prolonged feelings of sadness, or depression
- Impulsivity or mood swings
- Social withdrawal
- Suicidal thoughts
- Substance abuse
Who pays for therapy?
If you have insurance, it is a great idea to find a therapist in network with your insurance. In most cases, this will assure you the best coverage provided by your insurance carrier. Your insurance company’s website will have a list of providers that is usually searchable. Websites such as PsychologyToday.com have individual pages for most therapists in your area, listing biographies, and payment/insurance information. (Continued on next column.)
You may be expected to pay a co-pay or meet your deductible. Your insurance company can help you to understand your benefits. Some therapists do not take insurance (This is called Private Pay). In these cases they may offer a sliding scale payment system, which allows you to pay a reasonable amount depending on your income.
Where should you look for therapy?
Therapy is offered in a variety of settings, including larger organizations and private practitioners. Important questions in finding the individual or organization that is right for you may include:
•Do you currently have openings?
•Do you take my insurance?
•How often do you see patients?
•Tell the therapist what you are going through. If speaking directly to the therapist, they should be able to discuss their experience with those areas or refer you to someone who may be a better fit.