Jane’s e-Update

 A background history of a Nouwen Network’s call for 

‘A National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding’


A BRIEF BACKGROUND HISTORY

World Mental Health Day was proclaimed in 1992. The World Mental Health Day was started by the World Federation for Mental Health. The World Health Organization (WHO), which is a facet of the United Nations, is a co-sponsor. World Mental Health Day is held annually on October 10th to raise public awareness about mental health issues worldwide. This event promotes open discussions on illnesses, as well as investments in prevention and treatment service.


IN AUSTRALIA

Mental Health Week became established Australia wide in 1985. It is an annual, national event that aims to improve community awareness and knowledge about mental health illness and reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health problems. Mental Health Week is held every year to coincide with World Mental Health Day – 10th October.


IN AMERICA

Mental Health Awareness Month was started in the United States in 1949 by the Mental Health America organization. It is observed in May . Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) (also known as Mental Health Awareness Week) was established in 1990 by the U.S. Congress in recognition of efforts by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to educate and increase awareness about mental illness. It takes place every year during the first full week of October.

The National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness  Recovery and Understanding was initiated by Angela Vickers and Gunnar Christiansen of NAMI as part of Mental Illness Awareness Week in America. Since it began in 2004, it has had widespread support by individual congregations and National Faith Community Mental Illness Networks.


IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

An annual Mental Health Awareness Week has been held in May since 2000. Many churches participate in special worship and community events on or near the date of World Mental Health Day – 10th October. Worship Resources have been prepared and made available to encourage wide church participation.



IN BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA

In 2010 A Nouwen Network (a cross-denominational outreach) began urging faith communities to actively 

participate in Mental Health Week.

The network encourages faith communities to do this by:

  • • being involved in local community Mental Health Events;
  • • hosting workshops on Mental Health Topics;
  • • displaying Mental Health Leaflets and Posters in church foyers and halls
  • • regularly offering communal prayers for those affected by Mental Health issues.

Since 2010 the numbers of individuals and congregations engaged in such activities has grown considerably.


Angela D. Vickers, mental health advocate, educator and author, graduated from the University of Florida College of Law, with honors, after working in medical research with a medical technology degree from the Medical College of Georgia. In 1988, she had a single two‐month manic episode, which focused her career on teaching lawyers, judges, and school children about mental illnesses. As a person of faith “she wants faith leaders to learn that mental illnesses are medical problems, people do recover, and the faith community can help our nation achieve mental wellness.” photo source







The National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding 

was initiated in America in 2004, by Angela Vickers and Gunnar Christiansen.

Gunnar Christiansen has written multiple publications and presented at conferences related to spirituality and mental illness throughout the United States. He was a board member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). His leadership in California led to the formation of NAMI FaithNet, an organization linking mental health advocates with religious organizations across the country. Christiansen believes that church members are called to educate themselves so they can become a healing presence in the lives of those with mental illness. “We don’t have any cure,” he says, “but we do have healing.” photo source

In 2013 A Nouwen Network called for ‘A National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding’ to be the established in Australia:

“A Nouwen Network invites you to join with us in establishing A National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding in Australia. We call for this day to be held on the Sunday of, or immediately following 10th October – the date on which World Mental Health Day is celebrated annually.”


Download Leaflet - Background to

the Day of Prayer & Prayer

    Learn more about A Nouwen Network in the Archive Pages:

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