Our Savior’s Lutheran Church to begin Raising Our Spirits Together program for mental well-being

Those who are feeling down or blue should know they are not alone, and that can be especially true now that there is a local group program to help lift their mood. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lansing recently received a grant from Gundersen Health System of La Crosse, WI to offer a new resource to help adults with low mood called Raising Our Spirits Together.

Raising Our Spirits Together is a technology-assisted, engaging, small group program that provides people who are feeling down with new tools and skills to feel better. The small groups meet in local churches and are led by pastors.

Raising Our Spirits Together is based on cognitive behavioral therapy, an evidence-supported approach for treating depression. This program was developed by Dr. Addie Weaver, a faculty member at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, with support from the National Institute of Mental Health. Raising Our Spirits Together has been tested in rural Michigan, with results suggesting the program improves mood and anxiety.

Gundersen Health System awarded this grant to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church because offering Raising Our Spirits Together reflects their mission of excellence in patient care, education, research and improved health in the communities they serve. Gundersen Health system is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and to support those activities that enhance the quality of life for the services region.

Likewise, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church is passionate about improving the lives of people in the region. They have convened the Lansing Laughter Club for health and happiness since 2005. It currently meets the first Wednesday of the month at 4 p.m. The church has also started a new program called When Relationships Change which meets during months with a fifth Thursday beginning at 4:30 p.m. for free dinner followed by a program.

Now, thanks to the generosity of the Gundersen Health System, the church will be able to expand its wellness outreach. Raising Our Spirits Together will be offered four times over the next nine months. Each group will meet once a week for eight weeks.

The first Raising Our Spirits Together group will be offered Tuesday evenings from 6-8 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, beginning September 6 and running until October 25. It is free and open to the public. Those who join the group will be given a workbook and are ask to plan to attend all sessions.

The minister of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Rev. Laura Gentry, will facilitate the Raising Our Spirits Together meetings following the curriculum developed by Dr. Weaver. Lansing’s integrative psychiatrist, Dr. Erica Burger, will serve as a consultant should any of the participants need a greater level of support during the process.

Learn more about Raising Our Spirits Together and register to join the group program at LansingLutherans.org.