Mind and Soul in Brighton

To St Peter's Church, Brighton today for a  conference on Christianity and Mental Health organised by the Mind and Soul Foundation.

Titled 'Running on Empty' the day began with a brief introduction from a member of the staff team at St Peter's, who talked about Jesus as 'the Great Inviter', quoting Matthew 11:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

The day brought together a psychologist, a psychiatrist and a priest (sounds like the opening line of a joke) and together they gave us much to think about as they wove together biblical teaching and the best of science and lessons drawn from clinical practice.

Archbishop Justin Welby had recorded a video purely for the event, in which he spoke about his own family's experience of mental health issues: his daughter Catherine has written about her struggle with depression, but less well publicised is the Archbishop's own, recent episode of depression.
Not surprisingly he was encouraging us to make our churches places where it is OK for people to talk about mental health issues. 
You can watch the video by clicking on a link in this list (see 1.15pm).

I came away encouraged by the work that is being done by this organisation - and others who were interviewed and publicised -in bringing biblical teaching and spiritual wisdom into this area of mental health. The talks will soon be available on the website - click here.

In my own experience in recent months I've discovered the God who is present in every emotion, and who brings light and order to bear when darkness or sadness descend.

One of today's contributors spoke about the necessity of the church community to support her through her own physical and mental health issues - alongside her faith in Jesus she had been able to lean on her brothers and sisters in Christ.

My prayer is that Holy Trinity will become - more and more - a place where we are able to discover and celebrate the God who is with us and sustains us in whatever struggles we are going through.