According to the Mental Health Foundation, 1 in 6 adults have had a common mental health problem in the last week. Inside a church that is probably true as well. The next time you’re in church look around the pews. There’s someone you know who has a mental health problem.
She might be me – he might be you.
As a faith community, we are called to proclaim Good News. We go down into the tomb on Holy Saturday, but we live in the resurrection of Easter Sunday. We care about healing and not just for ourselves, but for the whole human family. Mental health ministry is something that we are called to participate in with one another.
Ash Wednesday and Lent may seem like natural times to be depressed. In the bleak midwinter anyone can feel down. But the upcoming ‘Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ is sometimes also a place of sadness, of brokenness. Sometimes our church calendar tells us it’s time to be joyful and expectant, and that’s just not possible.
This November we will be spending two weeks with faith facilitators from National Alliance for Mental Illness. There will be two forums on Sundays and a Saturday workshop on Mental Health Illness 101.
How do we walk with one another on these journeys of mental illness? How do we act with healing and not with hurting? What are resources we can use or show to others facing these kind of problems? How can we fulfill our mission to be the hands and feet of Christ to people and families living with chronic mental health challenges?
As a community of Christ, it is our duty to proclaim the Good News, working to be a face of healing. Consider joining us for these events in November.