Inspirational Outreaches and Mental Health Ministry Resources (Australia)
These are all links to external sites
To Live Life to the Full: Mental health in Australia today’ 2020
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference - The Office for Social Justice
‘Together, we promote the fullness of life for all when we ensure appropriate care for everyone experiencing mental ill-health:
• when we reject stigmatisation,
• when we work for the transformation of social
determinants of mental ill-health,
• when we call for policies and service provision that meet the needs of the poorest, most marginalised and recognise in them the face of Christ Jesus.”
Download HERE
Suicide Prevention & Response -A RESOURCE FOR CHURCHES. 2020
produced by the Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute (MHPCI) is a research institute of Mary Andrews College an Anglican Deaconess Ministry in Sydney, Australia.
…” Father of compassion and God of all comfort,
We pray this day for all who are distressed, who feel alone,
who lack hope, who despair of life, who feel like giving up.
Help them to call to mind the reasons to live.
Give them your strength so that they might press on and
hold on to life.”
Download HERE
To Live Life to the Full: Mental health in Australia today’ 2019
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference - The Office for Social Justice
…‘Modern interventions allow most people with a mental illness to recover and lead a contributing life but these need to be made widely available as treatments for physical health disorders. Understanding and compassion for sufferers but also their carers ensures greater inclusion thereby reducing stigma and discrimination at a community level. This set of resources has been put together to assist parish members to understand people they know or meet who may have metal illness and to feel more confident in responding to them. The parish as a whole may identify ways to help people with mental illness feel more welcome and valued for their gifts and contribution.”
Download HERE
Mental Health Kit for Congregations. 2019
Produced Uniting Church in Australia. Synod of Victoria and Tasmania. Prepared by Synod Disability Inclusion Advocate Rev Andy Calder
This 32 page booklet offers a wealth of stories, poetry, artwork, worship resources, information and practical help for congregations around mental health. The kit has checklists to help congregations better respond to people with mental health issues, worship resources, sermon starters and listings of community-based resources. “In essence the kit’s aim is to continue to destigmatise mental illness, to give voice and substance to the welcoming of the stranger,”
Download HERE
Mental Health Matters: A Toolkit for Congregations. 2016
Produced jointly by UnitingCare NSW.ACT and the Rural Ministry Unit to help churches engage with mental health issues in their congregations and wider communities.
The toolkit is available online in two formats:
- • interactive toolkit document
- • download printable toolkit document HERE
Caring for Community - a mental health resource for congregations. 2016
The Uniting Church in Australia South Australian Synod 2016 adapted The Uniting Church in Australia Queensland Synod 2015 resource Called to care.
View the resource HERE
Download HERE
‘Healing Wounds and Warming Hearts’ 2015
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference - Bishops Commission for Pastoral Life
…’A new parish kit, titled Healing Wounds and Warming Hearts has been distributed to every parish and diocese in Australia. It is hoped the kit will empower parishes to truly welcome, accept and support people living with mental illness. Pope Francis challenges us to be close to people struggling with mental illness.
“The thing the Church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity,’ Pope Francis said.
Download HERE
Called to care: Thoughts for congregations. 2015
Uniting Church in Australia Queensland Synod - Mental Health
‘The local congregation should be a safe and welcoming place for the healing of wounded people, where they are accepted as they are and find others who will walk with them on their journey. In tandem with other community facilities and mental health professionals, church communities can make a positive difference to those living with mental illness and the families and friends who support them.”
Download HERE
Called to care: How we can approach funerals. 2015 (Adapted from Carrying Rainbows of Hope: Liturgical resources for use after disasters and personal tragedies, pp.81-84.)
Uniting Church in Australia Queensland Synod - Suicide Resources
‘The funeral directors, ministers and celebrants who shared generously of their experiences and resources agreed that there is no specific liturgy, litany or format which can be followed for a suicide funeral service. Each of us “borrows” lines, quotes or colloquialisms, sometimes—though not always—supported by music, in order to present the Gospel in a meaningful way if that is appropriate. We are trying to meet the needs of those in attendance and to shed light on the life of the person who is being remembered.’
Download HERE
‘Parish Kit to assist parishes to acknowledge World Mental Health Day 2015
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference - Bishops Commission for Pastoral Life
…’People living with mental health challenges, are no less members of the Body of Christ than anyone else. Obviously there are particular challenges to enabling their full participation in the life of the community. Some of these challenges are visible and many others not so clearly identified. Once we acknowledge these challenges we can work together to ensure that all the gifts that flow through the Body of Christ can be shared by each member of that Body.’
Download HERE
Building Mental Health, Wellbeing & Resilience – a role for the church. Oct 2014
This document was produced as part of BAPTCARE’s social policy contribution to the discussion of mental health and a role for the church.
‘ Baptcare liaises with churches to encourage compassionate mission, friendship, mentoring and practical support to those on the margins of our society. We believe that churches can provide welcoming, safe and socially inclusive spaces where people impacted by trauma and mental health issues can find valuable support for themselves and their families.’
Download HERE
Mental Health Pastoral Care Resource List … ‘to change the wind’. 2013
This resource offers a description of a selection of Spirituality, Prayer, & Ministry Books on/or including themes of Mental Health.
It also provides Websites Hyperlinks for several of the Mental Health Ministries located in USA, UK and Australia. (The links were accurate at the time the resource was created)
‘to change the wind’ was created by ‘A Nouwen Network’ (2009-2020) as part of the ‘Mandorla Project’. It is archived on this website, Hopelinks, and is available for Download HERE
Mental Health and the Christian Faith - R U OK?
This resource is one of the RUOK? series included in the THE SALVOS RESOURCE HUB
Download HERE
Carrying Rainbows of Hope: Liturgical resources for use after disasters and personal tragedies. 2003
This document was by the National Disaster Fund Trust Committee. Collated and edited by Rev Philip Liebelt, the 178-page book includes many resources for use after bushfires; and for communities in shock.
Download HERE