Explanation

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24 Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14.[1]

Faith communities on the leading edge of communities in interfacing with people experiencing mental health challenges, including, but not limited to, mental health crises, mental illness diagnoses, and substance use disorders. Church can be a setting in which people experiencing mental health challenges can feel that they will not be judged or seen to be “weak” or stigmatized in various ways. In order meet the needs and respect the dignity of people experiencing, clergy and those seeking ordination need tools and training to deal with the issues that arise in the various setting in which they serve.

Recognizing this need, in 2022, the 80th General Convention passed resolution A109, which called for the creation of a curriculum to address mental health to be created and that “all those to be ordained from January 2024 onward be trained” as well as recommending “the training of all active priests, deacons, and bishops in this curriculum for mental health and mental illness awareness.”

This resolution instructs the Standing Commission for Human Health and Wellness take steps toward fulfilling the goals set in resolution 2022-A109 by working with other church bodies in delivering the curriculum for Mental Health Ministry with postulants and ordained clergy. The new Commission will also consider the potential for codifying such training in the canons of the church alongside equivalent trainings on prevention of abuse and the church’s teaching on racism. The Commission can bring a realistic timeframe for the training of active clergy in a curriculum that is in development, beginning with delivery of certification in basic Mental Health First Aid, an evidence- and research-based, peer-reviewed training, which the General Convention training provision called for in resolution 2022-A108.

Future canonical adjustment requiring all active clergy to be trained in a curriculum for mental health and wellness is crucial because it recognizes the significant role clergy play in providing support and guidance to individuals within their communities of faith and their wider ministry settings. Mental health training equips clergy with the knowledge and skills needed to offer effective pastoral care to those struggling with mental health issues, aid families of individuals facing mental health challenges, attend more clearly to their own mental health, and foster strengths and skills in faith communities for welcoming, including supporting, strengthening, encouraging, empowering, and advocating with people facing mental health challenges. By reducing stigma, fostering early identification and intervention, and promoting a holistic approach to well-being, this holistic curriculum ensures that clergy can better meet the mental health needs of congregants. Moreover, by prioritizing the mental health and well-being of clergy themselves, this curriculum and training supports a healthier and more resilient clergy community.

[1] https://www.nami.org/mhstats, accessed 10/27/23.

 

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