Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
Mental Health Programme Launched
The imposition of additional Covid 19 restrictions means that churches in the Republic will continue to be closed for public worship and the opportunities to travel and assemble will be further restricted. Inevitably these measures will have a particular impact on the lonely, vulnerable and those who have an inherent need to socialise. And so the recent launch by the Church of Ireland of a major three–year all–island mental health promotion programme is timely.
Entitled ‘Mental Health Promotion across the Church of Ireland and Wider Community’, the project aims to transform the understanding of, attitudes towards, and responses to mental health within the Church of Ireland and the wider community. It has been made possible by a significant grant from Allchurches Trust – one of the UK and Ireland’s largest grant–making charities. Allchurches’ funds come from its ownership of Ecclesiastical Insurance Group.
The project will begin with a study to establish the understanding of, and attitudes towards, mental health within the Church community. The study will also measure any changes in these at the end of the three years. The results of this research will shape an integrated programme of mental health promotion, support and training, which will be rolled out on an all–island basis. This will be followed by individual dioceses being invited to apply for funding to support more localised initiatives.
Throughout this project, the Church will work with a range of other organisations, both state–sponsored and voluntary, involved in mental health promotion in all parts of the island, and will share the results of its research, and the lessons learned from the project, with government bodies and charities.
Welcoming the initiative, the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd John McDowell, said: ‘The Church of Ireland is a church that seeks to serve the whole community and to engender hope at a very difficult time for everyone who lives on this island. That hope is based on our understanding of the generous gospel of Jesus Christ through sharing whatever resources and gifts we possess, as open–handedly as possible. My hope and prayer for this initiative is that as a serving church we will be able to be more effective in our ministry of comfort, of practical help and of hope, and in doing so to benefit those most in need within our communities and beyond.’
Professor Jim Lucey, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, and an Honorary Lay Canon of Christ Church cathedral, said: ‘I am really encouraged by the understanding and recognition of the pivotal role the Church plays in mental health promotion displayed in this application. Clergy can plan a key role in mental health promotion and their skills and well–being have to be recognised and supported. I understand the significant role that the Church has in mental health promotion in society and I am excited by this needs–led all–island initiative. I am particularly heartened that the project team understand the importance of the project being needs–led, and I look forward to seeing the results of the baseline assessment of the Church’s understanding of, and ability to promote mental health. This participative, needs–led approach is crucial to the sustainable embedding of positive mental health initiatives.’
The Building Blocks Children’s Ministry conference 2020 will be held on 7 November beginning at 10am. This will involve online webinars for leaders and workers in Children’s Ministry and details may be had from Lydia Monds at admin@cmn.ireland.anglican.org
Published in the Saturday edition of The Irish Times