MENTAL HEALTH & HEALING
Jesus said that he came that all may have life, and have it in abundance (John10, 10).  In this issue of Chrism, we are taking the theme of mental health. It is now recognised that up to 1 in 4 of us will suffer from mental health problems during our life time, and, although mental and physical health are both vulnerable to faltering, there is still stigma attached to a mental health diagnosis. Emily Wood writes about her work amongst churches to help them create a good environment for those suffering from mental health problems. Consultant psychiatrist and psychologist David McDonald examines definitions of health and healing and how policy on health care meets experience on the ground. The article from Elizabeth Baxter takes the difficult topic of self-harm and explores it both from a psychological and spiritual perspective, making fascinating connections with ritual and theology. In the article by Victoria Reid we read a candid account of her own liminal experience of a mental health breakdown. She gives an insider’s viewpoint of what it is like to be treated by the NHS, with powerful themes of voicelessness and powerlessness
Contents
Mental health and the Church community 2
A questing narrative in mental illness 5
Faith, well-being and mental health 9
From the bookshelf 11
Centre for the Study of Theology & Health
Living and loving on the edge 12
Forthcoming Events 16
Information about Chrism 16