A mental health presentation scheduled to be given by a fundamentalist religious organization at a Michigan school has been cancelled due to illness, according to school officials. The talk was planned by Scott Ritsema of Belt of Truth Ministries and was part of a series on student mental health for the month of May.
Lee Fitzpatrick, district spokesperson, stated that there is no rescheduled date for the event at this time, especially since the school year is coming to an end. Some parents and residents expressed concerns about the presentation by a religious leader. However, district officials maintained that the talk was non-religious and important in addressing the growing levels of anxiety and depression among students due to increased reliance on social media.
The cancelled presentation was scheduled to take place after school hours and was not for credit or assembly. Legal experts confirmed that the presentation did not violate federal laws that require schools to maintain religious neutrality and inclusivity within an educational setting. Belt of Truth Ministry is described on its website as a fundamental Bible-believing faith-based community, with its founder Ritsema aiming to lead others to Jesus as a calling rather than a career.
