Rick and Kay Warren to Host Online Event to Raise Awareness for Mental Illness

LAKE FOREST, Calif., Oct. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Studies show one in four adults in America will be affected by a mental illness at some point in their lives. On World Mental Health Day on October 10, Rick and Kay Warren of Saddleback Church will host "24 Hours of Hope," a free global online event designed to encourage individuals living with mental illness, educate and support their families, and equip church leaders for compassionate and effective mental health ministry.

The "24 Hours of Hope" broadcast features messages from the historic Gathering on Mental Health and the Church (including new interviews and messages) highlighting the collaboration between the Warrens, Bishop Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Orange, and National Alliance on Mental Illness – Orange County (NAMI-OC).

These messages are designed to offer hope as well as practical tools to those living with depression, Bipolar Disorder, eating disorders, addictions, anxiety and Borderline Personality Disorder. Topics include removing stigma, suicide-risk reduction, church counseling, support groups, crisis management and holistic care.

The event will feature more than 30 speakers including:

• Pastor Rick and Kay Warren of Saddleback Church.
• The Most Reverend Kevin Vann, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange.
• John Townsend, Ph.D., psychologist and author/co-author of 25 books including Boundaries and Handling Difficult People.
• Daniel Amen, M.D., physician, double board-certified psychiatrist, teacher, and Founder and Medical Director of Amen Clinics.
• Aaron Kheriaty, M.D., associate Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Program in Medical Ethics at the University of California Irvine, School of Medicine, and author of The Catholic Guide to Depression.
• Amy Simpson, award-winning author of Troubled Minds: Mental Illness and the Church's Mission.

The Warrens' youngest son, Matthew, struggled with mental illness most of his life and took his life in 2013. The Warrens have since dedicated themselves to raising awareness about mental illness, eliminating stigma, and encouraging faith communities to become safe and accepting places for people living with mental illness and their families.

To join "24 Hours of Hope," which is a free event, on October 10, 2014, visit http://mentalhealthandthechurch.com. Participants can connect with others for discussion about the event using #WorldMentalHealthDay.

CONTACT: 
A. Larry Ross Communications
Kristin Cole           972.267.1111
[email protected]

SOURCE Rick Warren