Penn Foundation Hosts Clergy to Discuss the Role Spirituality Plays in Mental Health Recovery

Pictured (left to right) are presenters Nina Drinnan, Nurse Practitioner; Debra Ryan, Director of Community Outreach (who organized the clergy education event); Ryan Stever, Penn Foundation client; Chad Wisler, Wrap Around Mobile Therapist; and Rev. Carl Yusavitz, PhD, Director of Pastoral Services.

(SELLERSVILLE, Pa.) – On May 21, Penn Foundation hosted local clergy for a morning workshop focused on understanding the role that spirituality plays in mental health recovery.

Penn Foundation Chaplain and Director of Pastoral Services, Rev. Carl Yusavitz, PhD, opened the morning by welcoming those in attendance and talking about the important role that churches can play in the lives of those living with mental illness. Penn Foundation Nurse Nina Drinnan, CRNP helped attendees better understand mental illness as a brain disease while Chad Wisler, Wrap Around Mobile Therapist, discussed the benefits of using natural supports to help individuals who are struggling and shared some of the resources that are available for individuals and families. Penn Foundation REACH client Ryan Stever shared his story and the important role that his faith and church play in his recovery.

Attendees also had the opportunity to share real-life scenarios that they have encountered within their congregations and to seek feedback and guidance from Yusavitz, Drinnan, and Wisler as well as their pastoral colleagues.

About Penn Foundation
Founded in 1955, Penn Foundation is a non-profit organization providing innovative services to address the mental health and substance abuse treatment needs of individuals in our community. With headquarters in Sellersville, Bucks County, and satellite offices in Colmar, Souderton, and Pottstown, Penn Foundation employs 440 compassionate professionals that serve more than 19,000 children, adolescents, and adults each year with integrated, holistic care designed to meet the unique needs of each person. Penn Foundation believes strongly in the resiliency of the human spirit and is committed to instilling hope, inspiring change, and building community.