The Mental Health Friendly Church Dr Rob Waller

The Mental Health Friendly Church Dr Rob Waller Consultant Psychiatrist & Director of Mind and Soul

asbojesus. wordpress. com

Many people’s experience

Many people’s response

Many churches

The common result

What’s gone wrong?

Small Groups 1 ✤ ✤ What is going on in the church today that means people with mental health problems find it hard? 5 mins?

Stigma

More stigma

SWEGs

Name it and claim it

Not thinking

When someone tries to. . .

Can we try again?

Small Groups 2 ✤ ✤ What does the church have to offer that is so important? 5 mins?

Identity

More identity

Realism

More reaslism

Forgiveness

Continuity

Environment ? ? ?

Help

How should we change?

Small Groups 3 ✤ ✤ What are the marks of a mental health friendly church? ✤ Obvious ✤ Less Direct 10 minutes

Small Groups 4 ✤ ✤ Can this be made into a database? ✤ Rating Scale ✤ Awards ✤ Trip Advisor 10 minutes

The Results! ✤ ✤ ✤ The results sheet Single best marker: friendly, nearby, accepting people as they are, no newbies-welcome, leadership sympathetic, links with community, not always positive, Jesus-like, system of support, small, counsellor, language… Comments: hard to measure well!

A solution? - self identification? ✤ ✤ The extent to which: ✤ Disabled people are currently in attendance and feel they ‘belong’ ✤ A contact/team is available to consult with disabled people and ‘champion’ disability issues ✤ Information is available in alternative formats appropriate for different needs ✤ Physical adjustments are willingly made to help those with different needs ✤ Church activities welcome, accept and are a positive environment for those considered to be ‘different’ to the average ✤ People give their time sacrificially to listen and respond to pastoral issues ✤ The culture/ethos of the church is one of an on-going journey of valuing all, addressing their needs and enabling them to use their gifts and contribute Through the Roof

Is this true?

Upside-down Gospel

www. mindandsoul. info

Podcasts Search Blogs Emails Articles Events

www. mindandsoul. info Blogs Articles Podcasts Search Emails Events

0845 6 525252 Low call rate 9 am-Midnight every day lifeline@premier. org. uk

The Mental Health Friendly Church Dr Rob Waller Consultant Psychiatrist & Director of Mind and Soul www. mindnadsoul. info