WCC NEWS: WCC to begin “Campaign of Hope: Mental Health and Wellbeing for All”

The World Council of Churches (WCC) will begin a “Campaign of Hope: Mental Health and Wellbeing for All” and convene a global alliance to enable faith communities to become environments that promote and sustain mental health and wellbeing.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 10 October 2024 Mental health has been identified by the WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing as one of four priorities. World Mental Health Day is 10 October. Mental Health issues affect more than 25% of all people at some point during their lives. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in individuals aged 15-29 years. Yet, on average, countries dedicate less than 2% of their healthcare budgets to mental health.  The campaign will empower faith-based networks to lead the creation of a movement, fostering a platform for sharing, supporting, and sustaining mental health work. It will also promote dialogue between mental health professionals and faith communities, leading to informed, safe, sustainable support and actions. The campaign will also facilitate sharing of experiences in trauma healing in different contexts; facilitate sharing of resources and peer learning in the context of mental wellbeing; and facilitate training and formation on mental health for faith communities. WCC member churches, national and regional ecumenical organisations, Christian world communions, faith-related health networks and institutions, faith-based youth movements, and Bible societies will be invited to join the alliance. The WCC will convene the alliance and facilitate online meetings of the group two times a year; and will also curate and facilitate the sharing of resources in a participatory manner, including fact sheets and information on specific mental health conditions; compilations of good practices; and scriptural and contextual analysis, reflections, and prayers. Dr Manoj Kurian, director of the Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing noted, “Given the limited access to mental health care and professionals, in communities across the world, it is vital that the faith communities, which are present all over the world, with networks and support systems in place, be mobilized to promote mental health, in close collaboration with mental health professionals.” Link to the full Concept note Those interested to join the Campaign, kindly contact: healthandhealing@wcc-coe.org See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland