Providing 'Sanctuary' in the battle to boost mental health

Photo credit: The Centre for Ageing Better

This week marks Mental Health Awareness Week. Raising awareness about mental health is always important but this week we are adding our voices to the chorus of many around the nation. One in four adults in England (young and old) will experience a mental health challenge this year. 'It is crucial that the Church is equipped to address this' says Debbie Ducille who wonders how much depression, anxiety and other conditions are missed in older people.

Throughout this week, for example, everyone in the Sanctuary community is being invited to raise awareness of resources so, together, we can help make the Church a sanctuary for people experiencing mental health challenges.

How can you help?

Would you share about Sanctuary this week? We invite you to join with us by doing one of the following things:

1. Connect with people in your community to share your story and listen to other stories of lived experience.

2. Share the Sanctuary Songs album with someone.

3. Run, or invite a leader in your church to run, The Sanctuary Course or The Sanctuary Youth Series with your church or small group.

4. For church leaders: mention mental health in a sermon, prayer, or worship service (more than once). For more ideas, check out this guide: 5 Actions You Can Take Today. One of which is to run the Sanctuary course which was created to equip churches as they seek to become sanctuaries where individuals with mental health challenges feel safe, supported, and a sense of belonging. This free, eight session, small group resource explores key mental health topics, drawing upon the insights of mental health professionals, church leaders, and people with lived experience. All of the materials are available online, so you can get started right away at

   sanctuarymentalhealth.org.

---