Christian Healing and Mental Health
In this edition of Chrism we are attempting to help people who are involved in the ministry of healing within our churches to come to a meaningful understanding of a range of mental health problems, and to enable readers to take helpful approaches to people with mental illnesses , whether they are distractingly disruptive, apathetically withdrawn or just not quite their usual selves. Dr Sally Pidd starts from a congregation’s perspective and discusses what church members can do, what they should leave to ‘the experts’ and how they might work together. Rev’d Chris MacKenna, Director of St Marylebone Healing & Counselling Centre, provides authentic insights into psychotic illnesses and Helen Leathard gives an analytical account of her experience of depression. Revd Dr Andrew Pratt’s contribution to this issue, from the CSTH, complements this theme by discussing if and when treatments are appropriate.
Contents
Mental illness and the church 2
Psychosis and spirituality 4
From darkness into light 7
Book review 10
Meditation for Autumn & Winter 11
Centre for the Study of Theology & Health If it’s broke don’t fix it? 12
Future events at Holy Rood House 15
Information about the Guild 16