Mental Health: The Inclusive Church Resource
The Inclusive Church Resource book series is published by Darton Longman and Todd.
Designed as resource books for churches, each book has an introduction, theological reflection, stories from lived experience and a practical resource section
Books in the series include Disability by John Hull and Mental Health by Jean Vanier and John Swinton.
Sexuality by Susannah Cornwall, Poverty by Susan Durber, Ethnicity by Michael Jagessar and Gender by Rosemary Lain Priestley.
The introduction to the Mental Health book is by Eva McIntyre. The theological reflection is by Jean Vanier (2015 Templeton Prize Winner) and John Swinton.
The book has stories of lived experience - including Paul Taylor's story
This is a really exciting project for Inclusive Church and we are proud to be working in partnership with DLT.
A comment in from someone who has read the first 2 books:
"Have just received the first books, and dived into one of them. They are excellent, and all churches should have them for the clergy, and PCC."
Books can be ordered from the publishers, or download an order form here.
Mental Health
Inclusive Church has worked at raising awareness of the topic of mental health for a number of years, recognising that it is a key feature that affects people within church life. It is estimated that 1 in 4 people live with mental health conditions. This means that within our churches and communities, we have a significant number of people for whom this is an issue- within congregations and the clergy.
At Inclusive Church we are very aware of intersectionality. People struggling with societal prejudice around poverty, disability, sexuality, gender, and ethnicity may also be more likely to have a mental health condition.
Mental Health Matters resources
Inclusive Church is now the host for the Mental Health Matters resources which were originally developed for the Church of England. You can browse and download any of the resources here.
The Sheldon Hub
Inclusive Church worked partnership with The Society of Martha and Mary on a national, collaborative project with the aim of enabling people in ministry to help themselves and their colleagues to live and work in ways that are healthy and life-giving. Click here for more infomation.