In this blog, Corin Pilling, UK Director of Sanctuary Mental Health, talks about the collective trauma of the pandemic and how mental health training for church and community leaders will help communities to recover, together.
Repairing our Communities after the Trauma of Covid
As the pandemic has progressed, it has become harder to ignore its impact on our wellbeing. Most of us have endured daily challenges and significant losses, and we have cared for others too. In addition, we have seen a continual growth in the number of reported mental health challenges requiring active help. In a collective trauma such as this, it will take us time to recover.
We Can Recover Together
Collective trauma occurs when a community is impacted by adverse events. To recover from collective trauma community reconnection is key. We need to mourn, listen and celebrate together. We need to make sure no one is left behind. Yet many of us are weary. A consistent picture Sanctuary hears from churches is that the need is seen, yet many are at capacity. Churches have served their communities tirelessly. Talk of a mental health crisis can feel paralysing. We need to recover by resourcing leaders and members rather than creating extra burdens.
Helpful resources from Sanctuary
The Sanctuary Course offers a way to recover together. It’s a free, small group course which helps churches explore mental health through the eyes of faith. Written by experts, with stories of real lives, it offers the best way to learn about mental health to support one another.
The Archbishop of Canterbury and patron of Sanctuary, Justin Welby, says: “Sanctuary's resources are particularly needed as we recover from the pandemic. I would encourage Christians to seek out the Sanctuary Course and run it in their community.”
You will find many other free resources to help you and your church to support mental health and wellbeing, here: https://www.sanctuarymentalhealth.org/uk/
