Steve Bloem has written a new, informative, Handbook about mental illness

Steve has a new book, published by Kregel Publications of Grand Rapids, MI. The name of it is, The Pastoral Hand book of Mental illness a Guide for Training and Reference.

This book is not for sale yet, but you can get on our waiting  list by going to our email, pathema.msn.com, and write, "I want to be notified when your new book comes out." Your request will mean that we will notify you as soon as it comes out.  You will be able to get a signed copy for $19.00. It is not just for pastors, but everyone who wants to learn about mental illness, and grasp the mental health  system and services. I was a clinical case manager for the mentally ill, if this book had come out then; I would have bought it a second.

It would also be helpful to Christian psychiatrists and psychologists, especially  in helping them understand the differences between, spiritual and biological depression 

Our website http://heartfeltmin.org/index.html

People who have a mental illness often describe it as  “darkening of the mind.” Some have likened it to being in a pit. King David said, “He (God) brought me up also out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings” Psalm 40:2 (NASB).






One of the helpful admonitions to people who are mentally ill is found in Isaiah 50:10, “who is among you that fears the LORD that obeys the voice of His servant, which walks in darkness ,and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God” (Is. 50:10  NASB).




You can be in “soul darkness” but still fear the LORD. In this case the prophet tells us that the one in the dark, who is walking in darkness, needs to trust in the name of LORD (Jehovah) God (see Exodus 3:13-16). A person’s name stands for one’s character, honor and personhood. If you know Christ
God will never desert you.


Who and What is Involved?

Mental Illness is a disease that begs for community. This Biblical-based support group material includes a Leader’s Guide and Student's Guide. These guides will help create cohesion, and mutual support among those who are born again and affected by these horrible diseases of body, mind and mood.

Depression, schizophrenia, bipolar, panic disorder,  and obsessive  compulsive disorder, are some of the most painful of all disorders in this cursed world. Many mentally ill Christians have experienced what we call “shaming,” from their own brothers and sisters in Christ, causing, further and unnecessary suffering. Much of the church of Jesus Christ not only misunderstands the mentally ill, she also provides no ministry for  them.  Our books will teach how to comfort,and validate mentally ill Christians. They will also trin leaders to run related support groups.



A CAMI (Christians Afflicted with Mental illness) support group will have a facilitator who has put his or her faith in Jesus Christ the Lord. . Others in the group who have come out of the darkness of depression/mental illness etc., will be able to share stories of God’s faithfulness with those who are currently suffering. This encouraging of tottering, trembling believers is very biblical. It is commanded by the Apostle Paul, who in I Thessalonians 5:14, states, “we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.” (NASB).










Steve and Robyn Bloem have helped start many support groups  for those who have mental illness.
If you would like to have curriculum for a CAMI Support Group, you can purchase  our "tested materials." They  consist of  our Leader's Guide and Student's Guide. If you buy our workbooks, we have a  team of counselors,who will start a dialogue with you about how to start and keep going a CAMI Group. This communication will be of no charge. 

These two volumes explain clearly how to start a support group step by step. The material is   copyrighted (2010). You cannot legally, run pages off and use them. You can pay by pay pal in most every country. But shipping is more in Canada and other countries. On our Heartfelt counseling website look for the pricing next to "buy now." You may have to scroll down the page. 
www.heartfeltmin.org/resources.html

Don't forget our book, Broken Minds Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It.  It was nominated by Foreword Magazine for the best non- fiction of the year that it was published.

www.heartfeltmin.org/resources.html