The Church of England General Synod has voted in favour of measures geared toward supporting clergy and parishioners of their mental health.
The Synod agreed that it could ask Church educational body, the National Society, to develop more training materials covering mental health issues for each church schools and youngsters’s groups.
The Liturgical Commission has also been asked to be sure that recent liturgy considers the outlook of those affected by mental health problems.
As well as in search of to enhance the Church’s ability to minister to those with mental health problems, the Synod also voted for measures that will allow clergy themselves to receive counselling and therapy after they need it.
The debate on the difficulty was introduced by Dr Jamie Harrison, a GP from the Diocese of Durham.
He said, “Mental health issues can appear from nowhere or follow significant periods of overwork, loss, or other life events, or simply the pressure of ministry in a tough place. Being self-aware, being open to the wisdom of others, similar to a spiritual director, should trigger the necessity to seek further guidance and help and we pray that might be available.
“So if we glance beyond ourselves – the needs and concerns of our parishes, our communities, our schools – this can be a mission imperative, it’s a Gospel imperative, for we’ve got Good News to share, that we may be informed and capable of act through our work, welcome and support which the Church can and will offer.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, supported the changes and said the Church should work with the NHS to assist solve mental health problems.
Dame Sarah, who was formerly England’s Chief Nursing Officer, said, “Access to mental health support is crucial because mental well being is an element of what makes a flourishing life… When Jesus declared that he got here to bring life and life to the complete, he spoke of each aspect of human experience.”
She added, “The Government and health services have recognised that being a part of a community like a faith group gives great support to 1’s wellbeing and sometimes even prevents crisis.”
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