Mental and Emotional Health
/The recent acknowledgement by the United Nations that the Covid-19 epidemic is causing widespread psychological distress is both salient and challenging. As we enter into Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 it is time to renew our efforts to minister to those who suffer from mental and emotional health issues and demonstrate the relevance of the Christian faith within this vast but frequently unaddressed source of suffering.
The UN Deputy General’s ‘Mental Health for All Address’ from September 2019 reports that a person dies by suicide every 40 seconds and yet governments spend less than 1% of their budgets on mental health care. The lockdowns relating to Covid-19 are undoubtedly accelerating mental health problems as well as generating new ones and we must collaborate across society to meet this challenge.
We are writing to raise awareness of the role that churches and Christian organisations, working in partnership with and informed by medicine, could have in the service of society’s mental health. The church is equipped and able to express a relevant, psychologically credible, healthcare integrated approach to mental health that demonstrates the grace and compassion of Jesus Christ.
As the UN reflects, “It is time to speak openly about what has too long been hidden, downplayed and sometimes even belittled.” In this time of such significant mental health challenge, a unified church can play a fundamental role in combating loneliness and supporting people’s wellbeing. We are seeking to raise our collective voices to that end and invite others to join in the conversation.
Patrick Regan OBE and Diane Regan - kintsugihope.com
Rev Will Van Der Hart - mindandsoulfoundation.org
Dr Kate Middleton
Dr Rob Waller
The Revd Dr Gillian Straine - The Guild of Health and St Raphael, gohealth.org.uk
Dr Chi-Chi Obuaya - drchiclinic.com
Rachel Newham - thinktwiceinfo.org
Andy and Zoe Clark-Coates - sayinggoodbye.org
Rev Ali Hogger - The St Paul’s Centre for Wellbeing, https://stpaulsfoleshill.yolasite.com/Wellbeing.php
Corrin Pilling - livability.org.uk
Mick and Lynette Brooks - cwr.org.uk
Ruth Rice - renewwellbeing.org.uk
Tanya Marlow - Thorns and Gold, tanyamarlow.com
Daniel Whitehead - sanctuarymentalhealth.org
For a free digital download of Preaching and Mental Health go to https://www.preachweb.org/preaching-and-mental-health-issue
