Counselling Services - Overview
The emotional health and well being of our clergy, their families and our church members is part of our concern as Christians working together within the family of God.
|
‘The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.’ Psalm 34:18 |
We respect the value and dignity of each person within the church and seek to reach out, nurture and support all who are part of the Body of Christ. Chester Diocese offers a number of services which include: therapeutic counselling, consultative support for clergy and licensed workers, mediation and training through the IME/CME training programmes for clergy and pastoral workers.
Services:
Diocesan counselling service:
Provides a quality service of support and help for those suffering from mental distress and supports pastorally, those engaged within the ministry of the church.
Mental Health Forum:
A group of people who work to reduce the stigma of mental illness and to encourage a greater understanding of mental health problems within our diocese.
Mediation Service:
Mediation provides an independent structure and forum to bring disputing individuals together to: tell their own story and listen to others, identify issues, start to problem solve together, form healthy working relationships and find healing.
Clergy Peer Group:
A facilitated forum, where clergy of Chester Diocese can reflect upon life and ministry within a supportive and confidential environment.
Bishop signs pledge to end mental health discrimination
The Bishop of Chester has demonstrated his support for 'Time to change' - England's biggest mental health anti-stigma campaign - by signing a mental health anti-discrimination pledge. The campaign aims to end the discrimination that faces people with mental health problems.
Resources:
-
1 in 4: Mental health and your church - A resource for church communities
Many aspects of church and parish life help create the conditions for good mental health and parishes can also offer valuable support to those with an existing mental health problem and to their carers. This document is a response to those who feel uncertain about how best to help and have requested further support and information in order to feel equipped and resourced to deal with the issues and challenges.
Download document
-
Mental Health Matters - Church of England's resources for mental health issues
- The Solution - Black Mental Health UK's new online digital magazine
World Mental Health Day - 10 October
World Mental Health Day was started by the World Federation for Mental Health in 1992. “The Day promotes more open discussion of mental disorders, and investments in prevention and treatment services”. (World Health Organisation). The Mental Health Forum (a working group within the Chester Diocesan, Committee for Social Responsibility) would like to encourage parishes to remember on the Sunday nearest that day, all who have Mental Health difficulties and those who seek to help and work with them.
World Mental Health Day Service
A service to celebrate our commitment and work in promoting good mental health. The Mental Health Forum (a working group within the Chester Diocesan, Committee for Social Responsibility) have created this service to remember all who have Mental Health difficulties and those who seek to help and work with them. Click here to dowload an example order of service.
- Worship resource pack: Mental Health - The Church of England and 'Time to Change' have joined forces to end the stigma attached to Mental Health and created a pack for churches, providing ideas and resources for churches to plan worship on the theme of mental health. The pack is available for free download on the Time to Change website.
|
Prayer: God and father of us all, you know at first hand what it is like to be human. You know the pains, distress, worries, anxieties, depressions we can all feel, You know the experience of being abused and traumatized. You also came that we should have life and have it abundantly.
We remember and ask you to bless all whose fears and mental distress impede the quality of their lives, and prevent them from experiencing the abundance you offer. We pray for all who work for people with mental health difficulties, counsellors, nurses, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists, legal advocates and managers. May they perform their duties with professional knowledge and skill, but above all remember to display the care and compassion that reflect your love for their clients and patients.
|
Other news ...
Green Blade Theatre presents ‘Mind your head!’ a one woman show by Revd Eva McIntyre, a member of the Church of England’s national Committee for Ministry (CMDDP). The play is a journey and exploration in how the way in which we handle our self esteem and perception of God can lead to either despair or delight. If you would like to book Eva to perform this in your parish then email greenbladetheatre@hotmail.co.uk
Useful Information
Inter-Diocesan Counselling Service
Confidential counselling for clergy and immediate families, independent of the diocesan structures, but which has their support. Available within the Dioceses of Blackburn, Carlisle, Chester, Liverpool and Manchester
www.aaapcc.org.uk
This is the Anglican Association of Advisers in Pastoral Care and Counselling; a national network for people carrying this responsibility in their diocese. It includes an on-line directory of contacts in different dioceses.
www.bacp.co.uk
For people who want to know more about counselling and how to find a counsellor.
Contact:
For more information contact Jane Knight, Head of Counselling Services.
Email: jane.knight@chester.anglican.org
Tel: 01270 652034 / 07918 732806 (These are dedicated, confidential numbers)