A new web resource to encourage the Church's pastoral ministry in the area of mental health, Mental Health Matters, was launched today at a fringe meeting during this week's sessions of the General Synod at Church House, Westminster. 

This new resource has been developed by Mental Health Matters National Co-ordinator and member of the Church of England's Committee for Ministry With and Among Deaf and Disabled People (CMDDP), the Revd Eva McIntyre. 

Eva said: "The Church is well-placed to make a significant difference in the area of mental health. We can be a force to end stigma, and we can also be a place of inclusion, welcome and ministry. Mental Health Matters is working to make mental wellbeing a priority in our churches today." 

The site includes:
News and events
Pastoral and worship resources
Videos, podcasts, books and downloads
Resources on dementia
Projects and ideas
Finding support, and other useful links

The Ven Cherry Vann, Archdeacon of Rochdale and Acting Chair of CMDDP, said: "CMDDP warmly commends this new resource.  The Church is less than it is called to be when groups of people are excluded and this resource will help churches to be more welcoming and inclusive in their attitudes, worship and support of people with mental health issues."

Signing the Time to Change pledge in February, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dr Rowan Williams, said:  "Mental health issues touch the lives of every family and every congregation in England, the UK and across the globe. It is time we assigned stigma and discrimination to the history books, and started to talk more openly about the issue as a way of breaking down stigma and misunderstanding, and building more empathy and support for recovery. As a society we must take more responsibility for the negative attitudes that people with a mental illness face on a daily basis."

Mental Health Matters involves collaboration between the Church of England and ecumenical partners working on specialist projects willing to share their work, expertise and experience.

Notes

Mental Health Matters is a project of the Ministry Division's Committee for Ministry With and Among Deaf and Disabled People.

The guest speaker at the launch was the Revd Neil Bunker, Mental Health Community Liaison Priest for Westminster.

The Revd Eva McIntyre has been Vicar of Stourport on Severn and Wilden since 2006, and has represented the Diocese of Worcester on General Synod since 2009. Eva was trained in mental health during her time as a prison chaplain and has a passion for work in this field.