Is there a connection between mental health and spirituality?

Posted by Linda Murray on Feb 02, 2017

President Karen with Daniel Whitehead, National Director, Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries

Thanks again to our speaker, Daniel Whitehead, National Director, Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries. Daniel is a pastor from the UK who crosssed The Pond to attend Regent College and stayed in Canada with his family. Sanctuary is a non-profit group that prepares churches to support mental health recovery in the community. The group started in the Lower Mainland is now going national. Programs include peer support, group training, coaching, and support services. The group was founded by Dr. Sharon Smith and Rev Caroline Penhale, based upon Dr. Smith’s research which showed that in mental health crises, people turn to the church or spirituality. She approached the área churches, which were overwhelmed, and offered assistance. Mental health is not a ‘them’ conversation – it is a collective problema which involves all of us. Mental health is a constantly changing continuum from ‘flourish’ to ‘languish’. The 5 key indicators of mental health: self-awareness; resilience; balance/harmony; flexibility; & ability to enjoy the now. Recovery is key and Daniel emphasized the need to walk people through at their own pace and not to push them. They are always looking for donors, advocates, networks, etc. Check the website (sanctuary-ministries.com) for further details.