Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries

We look at depression as a fault of the soul, incriminating us for not being godly enough, Christian enough, or justenough. And yet the Bible tells us that there is a time to weep (Ecclesiastes 3:4). Meg NEW on The Sanctuary Blog: Meg shares her story and offers four ways of extending grace to those living with depression.

At Sanctuary, we believe that caring for mental health and wellbeing is an important part of what it means to participate in Christ’s redemptive work. Jesus came to invite all people into relationship with God, and as his disciples we are called to love one another and help one another recognize God’s presence in every circumstance and experience, including the experience of mental health challenges. We'd love to get to know you: Where are you from, and how did you hear about Sanctuary? Leave a comment below!

In support of Children's Mental Health Week in the UK this week, check out our piece on 5 Ways to Wellbeing for Children. We’ve listed a few ideas for how to engage in these practices with kidsincluding a printable feelings wheelbut feel free to take small steps, be creative, and discover what works in your context. Find more resources for #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek2021: https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/

Have you checked out our five-day devotional on race, mental health, and faith on the YouVersion Bible app? We partnered with author, speaker, and activist Tiffany Bluhm to produce Recovering Hope, which explores the realities of racial trauma and examines the theme of recovery found in Paul’s letters. Access it here: https://bit.ly/recovering-hope Other resources: https://bit.ly/race-mental-health-faith

Today is #BellLetsTalk Day, a day to raise awareness and combat stigma surrounding mental illness in Canada. We're joining the conversation by sharing Power to Change - Students staff Corey Porter's story. Plus, follow along as we take over Power to Change Ministries' Instagram Stories (@powertochangeministries) to share tips on how to start conversations around mental health and more! Access our resources: https://bit.ly/sanctuaryresources

Our friends at AGORA Network Ministries are offering a free virtual event to help many who are struggling with their mental wellness. Author and speaker, Dr. Grant Mullen, will be giving a talk entitled "Your Mood Matters on #BellLetsTalk Day, January 28 at 4:00 PM PT. Registration is limited to 100 people, so be sure to sign up if you'd like to attend.

Our Director of Development, Markku Kostamo, reflects on how he’s been participating in this week’s way of wellbeing, LEARN: Sailing keeps me connected to the elements, to creation, and to community as I go out with friends. There is so much to learn about sailing: navigation, tides, currents, winds, boat specifications, team work, and people skills. It’s thrilling and also so grounding and peaceful to be present and in the moment. Markku Have you discovered new skills and capabilities recently, or is there any new learning that you would like to begin? Leave a comment below, or tag us #OurSanctuaryStories!

This October, we're sharing simple practices that can help the children in our lives feel good and function well for each way of wellbeing: LEARN, TAKE NOTICE, BE ACTIVE, CONNECT, and GIVE. Here are some ideas to encourage children to LEARN this week! Tell us if you've found any of them helpful, or share your ideas with us

Our Program Development Coordinator, Jane Born, shares how she’s been participating in this week’s way to wellbeing, LEARN: The book I'm reading is the first book I bought when I began asking questions about mental health. I wasn’t sure where to go for information, and I certainly didn’t know how to think about mental health in the context of my faith community! Now my library has grown substantially, and I’m so excited to dive into the latest addition! I also love that my job gives me a book budget so that I can continue learning Jane Have you discovered new skills and capabilities recently, or is there any new learning that you would like to begin? Leave a comment below, or tag us #OurSanctuaryStories!

This week, we invite you to LEARN. Most of us are aware of the social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of education for children. However, learning is just as valuable for adults. Studies show that setting continuing education goals or picking up a new skill can lead to higher levels of social interaction, greater self-esteem, and a sense of purpose and hope for adults at any age. So consider rediscovering an old hobby or setting yourself a new challenge--you never know what you may learn about yourself, your community, or God’s glorious creation in the process.

Are you a church leader looking for ways to support your community’s mental wellbeing? Here’s a helpful list of mental health resources, including The Sanctuary Course, to check out. RSVP for the upcoming virtual Church Mental Health Summit on October 10, where you’ll get to hear from practitioners and industry leaders from across North America on how you can support people living with mental health issues in your community. Register for free or purchase the all-access pass here: http://bit.ly/sanctuary-cmhsummit #CMHSummit

We're thrilled to be a part of Alastair Sterne's virtual book launch at the Regent College Bookstore on Monday, October 5! Join our CEO, Dan Whitehead, and other guests at a panel discussion on the theme of spiritual formation and how it impacts people in different aspects of life. Regent College Redeemer City to City Forum for Theological Exploration St. Peter's Fireside

God doesn’t shrink back from our failures and mistakes, our sins and transgressions. He always moves toward us, even the darkest parts of us, with love. NEW on The Sanctuary Blog: In his newly-released book, "Rhythms for Life", pastor, church-planter, and PhD student Alastair Sterne invites readers to move at the pace of grace and allow the love of Christ to ground and transform the journey towards self-compassion, mental wellbeing, and mission. InterVarsity Press Regent College Bookstore

Join our CEO, Dan Whitehead, and over 40 speakers at the Church Mental Health Summit on October 10, 2020! Dan’s talk, Six steps towards Faith and Mental Health Integration, is at 9 a.m. PT. He will be sharing simple actions you can take today that will reduce stigma and affirm and encourage those living with or affected by mental health concerns in your church. Register for free or purchase the all-access pass here: http://bit.ly/sanctuary-cmhsummit ... #CMHSummit

"A person surviving an attempt to take their life is something to celebrate." ThinkTwice #SuicidePreventionAwarenessMonth For your quick reference, here are nationwide emergency numbers and crisis lines:... Canada: 911, Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (in British Columbia, you can also call 310-6769 for emotional support, information, and resources specific to mental health) United States: 911, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 United Kingdom: 999/112, Samaritans: 116 123 New Zealand: 111, 1737, Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800-543-354 Australia: 000, Lifeline: 13 11 14 See more

Instead of telling you "You'll be alright" I'm just gon' be that someone by your side Guy Sebastian Let someone know you’re standing with them today #SuicidePreventionAwarenessMonth

"What we can do as faith communities is say, You have a place where you can belong. We can take care of the community piece by saying, Your distress doesn’t scare me; I want to be with you in it, to help reduce some of that sense of loneliness or isolation and also burdensomeness. You have a place here. You belong here. Sanctuary Ambassador Hillary McBride in The Sanctuary Course (Session 3) This #WorldSuicidePreventionDay, we want to say: You matter. There is hope. ...For your quick reference, here are nationwide emergency numbers and crisis lines: Canada: 911, Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (in British Columbia, you can also call 310-6769 for emotional support, information, and resources specific to mental health) United States: 911, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 United Kingdom: 999/112, Samaritans: 116 123 New Zealand: 111, 1737, Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800-543-354 Australia: 000, Lifeline: 13 11 14 Access The Sanctuary Course from anywhere in the world: http://bit.ly/thesanctuarycourse

This #WorldSuicidePreventionDay, we want to say: You matter. There is hope. For your quick reference, here are nationwide emergency numbers and crisis lines: Canada: 911, Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (in British Columbia, you can also call 310-6769 for emotional support, information, and resources specific to mental health) United States: 911, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255... United Kingdom: 999/112, Samaritans: 116 123 New Zealand: 111, 1737, Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800-543-354 Australia: 000, Lifeline: 13 11 14 See more

I can think of no goal as noble and transformative as seeking to experience deeply the love of God, so that our shame does not define us, but the fullness of God does. NEW on The Sanctuary Blog: Ken Shigematsu, senior pastor of Tenth Church, writes about stigma, shame, and how a deep experience of God’s love brings about healing.

Our Mental Health, Faith, and COVID-19 podcast series might have recently concluded, but that just means: You now have 14 episodes to listen to! Tune in to these insightful and encouraging chats as our CEO, Daniel Whitehead, interviews pastors, front line workers, ministry leaders, and friends about their experience of the pandemic and where they are making meaning and finding hope in the ups and downs of this season.

from the Sanctuary team! It was such a joy to meet in person again this week. Here’s a short video to say: We’re so glad to have you with us on our journey to equip the Church to support mental health and wellbeing. Get to know who we are: https://www.sanctuarymentalhealth.org/our-team/ Music: Early Hours by Ikson Music

Our website is looking better than ever, and we hope that it’ll make accessing our resources more seamless and user-friendly! Check it out below, and sign up for our newsletter to receive exciting updates in the fall.

NEW on The Sanctuary Podcast: Our UK National Director, Corin Pilling, shares the gifts and challenges he’s experienced in lockdown, particularly as a single person living in the centre of London. He highlights practical ways to maintain mental wellbeing amidst busy city life; what led him to his role at Sanctuary; and how churches can re-model and re-imagine community during COVID-19. Tune in now: http://bit.ly/podcast-corin-pilling

The friendship Jesus extends is a friendship that gives time, space, love, and patience to individuals. Christ-like friendship and radical love mean walking with and having an enduring friendship with people. NEW on The Sanctuary Blog: Hannah Waite, Theos Think Tank's Science and Religion Researcher, calls on churches to combat stigma and come alongside individuals who have been rejected and stigmatized for living with severe mental health challenges.

The Sanctuary Course is for anyone who wants to learn about faith and mental health. No previous training or expertise is requiredjust a willingness to engage in dialogue with other believers. Watch the trailer below to get a taste of what the Course offers!

NEW on The Sanctuary Podcast: Kathy Spooner, Director of Counselling and Psychotherapy at the Association of Christian Counsellors in the UK, shares how true Christian discipleship requires us to confront and care about the suffering and hurt in the world. She also discusses some of the challenges Christians may face in deciding whether to seek professional counselling help. Listen here: http://bit.ly/podcast-kathy-spooner

A wonderful mental health resource and support for youth and adults via Wellness Together Canada: Take a free five-minute self-assessment of your mental wellness, get free access to professional counsellors by phone, text, or video, and more.

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated grief in all our lives. How do we understand and process grief as people of faith? Where can we find hope and joy in this season? Tag a friend (or two) whom you would want to explore our free Faith, Grief, and COVID-19 resource together. Download it here: https://www.sanctuarymentalhealth.org/grief/