Church leaders can counsel with Family Services professionals about members’ social and emotional challenges. Consultation can help leaders determine what types of resources or professional services may be needed.
If a bishop or stake president becomes aware of or suspects the possibility of abuse, he should immediately call the Church's abuse help line at 1-800-453-3860, ext. 2-1911 (see Handbook 1: Stake Presidents and Bishops [2010], 17.3.2).
All consultation specialists are licensed mental health professionals who can assist with a wide array of mental health challenges faced by members.
Find a Family Services office to serve you.
Help in Accessing Community Resources
When Family Services is unable to provide the counseling services needed, local office personnel can help Church leaders identify and access other appropriate community resources.
Emergency Response Psychosocial Services
Family Services provides specialized services following a disaster or critical incident at the request of and in consultation with Church leaders. Services may include consultation and assessment, crisis intervention and counseling, and resource development and referral. All services are designed to build emotional self-reliance in those affected by the disaster or critical incident.
Emergency Response Telesupport
When emergency response psychosocial services cannot be provided in person, Family Services can offer emergency response telesupport (by phone or video conferencing) at the request of mission presidents, stake presidents, bishops, or leaders from the ward council. Church leaders can contact Family Services to coordinate a call for members in need. Emergency response telesupport is crisis counseling and is not therapy. Typically, the call is 10 to 20 minutes long and is a one-time contact.
Emergency response telesupport services focus on expressing compassion, identifying and normalizing responses, providing basic coping strategies, exploring how to support others (children, elderly, ministering), and providing hope and resources. Emergency response telesupport does not require any paperwork or payment. Other available resources include local mental health crisis line numbers or the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Hotline (U.S. only, call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746).
The resources "Facing Challenges: A Self-Help Guide" and "Discussion Guide: How Can I Minister to Others in a Crisis?" can also be helpful.