Editors’ note:
This “Mental Health and Personal Care” webinar was recorded during the COVID pandemic lockdowns with the intent to provide a lasting gift to all of us -- a resource which we could go back to again and again, long after the pandemic has faded from our headline news. Few of us will have the opportunity to personally sit in a client’s chair in the offices of these experienced sisters, or even glean nuggets of wisdom or get some timely reassurance from them during fellowship after church. But we do have this. In this thoughtfully delivered webinar, we benefit from their professional expertise coupled with the strength of their own unique and authentic relationships with God. We hope you will, like us, come back to these videos whenever you may need a reminder of some of the simple, everyday things we can do to take care of our own mental health. May God continue to bless us with whatever we need, to learn to be the best
Mental Health and Personal Care
On January 30th and 31st, 2020, Drs. Mary Shapiro (Fayetteville, North Carolina) and Jennifer Konzen (San Diego, California) were guest speakers for the ICOC Women’s Service Team on a worldwide women’s webinar on the topic of Mental Health and Personal Care. 103 women participated from six continents and this list of nations:
NORTH AMERICA
Trinidad
Jamaica
Canada
USA
Mexico
AFRICA
Ivory Coast
Nigeria
SOUTH AMERICA
Peru
EUROPE
United Kingdom
Ukraine
AUSTRALIA
Australia
ASIA
Hong Kong
Philippines
India
Pakistan
EVENT IDEA for large or small group discussion:
You could view these videos (about 50 minutes each) in a staff meeting; at a midweek; in small group meetings or house church settings. Here are some possible follow up questions written by Kristen Balzer, Youth and Family Minister, Chicago church of Christ, which you could use for small group discussion after viewing :
1. What is your attitude toward self-care? How do the scriptures and points that Dr. Shapiro/Dr. Konzen shared affect your perspective on self-care?
2. Of the five areas that Dr. Shapiro spoke on to practice "preventative care" for your mental health (diet, exercise, sleep, enjoyment, forgiveness), which could use the most work in your life?
3. What is one thing you can improve in your diet?
4. What is a form of exercise that is less intimidating for you?
5. What are some creative ways you can reclaim more hours in your week for rest and sleep?
6. What is one thing you can do each day that you enjoy?
7. Are there any relationships where you're feeling the weight of anger or bitterness? How can you take positive steps towards forgiveness?
Mental Health and Personal Care
Dr. Mary Shaprio
Mental Health and Personal Care
Dr. Jennifer Konzen
Dr. Mary Shapiro bio
Dr. Mary Shapiro is currently the Director of the ADHD Clinic at Duke Medical School's Southern Regional Area Health Education Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, behavior disorders, and other childhood conditions. For the 30 years prior to moving to North Carolina, she and her husband, Dr. Michael Shapiro, were in private practice in Athens, Georgia, where they served children and adults in predominately rural and underserved areas. She completed her PhD in Educational Psychology at the University of Georgia in 1984 and interned in the Department of Neurology at the Medical College of Georgia. She and her husband have lectured extensively (both domestically and abroad) on topics related to child psychology, parenting, marriage, adoption, and mental health issues in a Christian context. They have authored two publications for Discipleship Press International; “Rejoice Always: A Manual for Christians Facing Emotional Challenges” and “Understanding Sexual Behavior in Children: How to be Proactive in Educating and Protecting your Children.”
Dr. Jennifer Konzen bio
Dr. Jennifer Konzen, PsyD, LMFT, CST, CCDC. Dr. Konzen is the director for the Center for Sexuality in San Diego, CA. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, a certified sex therapist, and a certified chemical dependency counselor. She is also a two-time nationally award-winning researcher, an international speaker, and an adjunct professor in San Diego at Bethel Seminary and Point Loma Nazarene University, and online at Rocky Mountain School of Ministry and Theology. Dr. Konzen is the author of The Art of Intimate Marriage and Redeemed Sexuality and the upcoming The Ransomed Journey: Couples Recovery from Addiction. Jennifer has been a parent educator, a marriage, parenting, sexuality, and mental health seminar and conference speaker, and yes, a Broadway showtunes performer (her undergraduate degree is in Musical Theater and Vocal Performance). She and her husband Tim have been married over 25 years and have 4 wonderful children. They live in San Diego, California where Tim is a deacon and they are involved with shepherding and leading in the married, youth and family, and worship ministries.
Additional Resources:
Here are some additional resources on this topic, with special thanks to Mary Shapiro’s husband, Dr. Mike Shapiro and the video team at Keydogo (feel free to share / publish any of the links in this article at will):
Should Christians take meds for anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vOBwuTub0U&t=84s
Should Christians stick with Christian counselors? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTa9_9JrowM&t=128s
What matters more: prayer or medication? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUGUMIyDZkU&t=181s
What does the Bible say about "modern" psychology? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ1OklPqkMU&t=18s
Links to Dr. Konzen’s websites:
https://www.theartofintimatemarriage.com/
https://www.theransomedjourney.com/
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