St Mary's January 2019 Parish Magazine

Training events are also planned for the
coming year, courtesy of the Diocesan
Healing Ministry Group, which Philip is
part of.
“We are going to be running a training
day for clergy at St Andrew’s on Tuesday
19th March, giving practical help for
churches in responding to mental health
concerns. There will also be a day-long
conference at Christ the King, Kettering
on Saturday 19th October, with main
speaker Becky Harcourt (from New Wine),
addressing emotional pain and hurts. I am
especially keen that we help churches
develop good healing ministry practice in
these areas.”
These diocesan initiatives in the area of
mental health is a reflection of the work
taking place nationally in the Church.
Mind and Soul is a Christian organisation
specialising in the area of mental health,
with a range of articles, videos and advice
on its website
(www.mindandsoulfoundation.org/). There
is also the FaithAction ‘Friendly Places’
scheme where churches can sign up to
commit to being places which support
people with mental health issues
(www.faithaction.net/) . Philip is keen,
though, that the Church doesn’t just limit
this work to Christians.
“I’m keen that the Church always sees
its mission and ministry as being ‘out
there’, giving special attention to the one
who is lost, perhaps above the 99 who are
safe,” he says. “GPs and the Church need
to help and be
helped by each
other. Schools too
are in the front line,
with designated
mental health
leads being
appointed: there is
huge scope for the
Church’s children’s
and youth
ministries to
engage with
wellbeing issues.”
This bridging of
the gap between
helping those who
attend or do not
13
attend church has been helped by the fact
that Bishop Donald speaks for the Church
of England on mental health issues in the
House of Lords.
“Bishop Donald has challenged the
Government to take direct responsibility
for delivering on and being accountable
for its promises in the mental health area,”
explains Philip. “He has also spoken
about mental health chaplaincy, citing in
particular what the Royal College of
Psychiatrists has done in highlighting the
importance of spiritual care, and
essentially saying that chaplaincy
resources need to match the great needs
in society.”
So there is still work to be done, but
important inroads have been made in the
area of mental health, which Philip hopes
will continue
to grow.
“My hope is that mental healthcare
professionals will recognise the
demonstrated value and place of faith and
spirituality in securing healthcare
outcomes for patients. Similarly, I hope
and am sure that the Church will grow
more alert and responsive to mental
health needs – being accessible,
sensitive, caring and giving ‘parity of
esteem’ in its ministry and mission to all.”