Talking About Mental Illness – how can churches respond?
Gill Yellowlees lives in the Scottish Borders where she worked as a psychiatrist with the NHS Mental Health for Older People’s Team until her retirement in 2014. She serves as an elder in the local Church of Scotland congregation and has trained in spiritual direction with the Epiphany Group.
Faith in Older People is aware that mental health issues are increasingly important and that people living with mental illness and those who care for them might also struggle to remain in their church as well as those in the congregation perhaps not feeling able to offer the support they require. If one in four of us will experience mental illness in their lifetime it is important that our churches feel able to be responsive.
FiOP is particularly conscious that mental health issues in later life are often not recognised and put down to growing old which just brings its sorrows and losses. It is important for our churches to be inclusive of those with difference needs.
This one-day workshop is an opportunity to talk about mental illness in older people and will include a general introduction to the symptoms of mental illness, models for understanding mental health issues and the impact that mental illness has on everyday life.
We will look at how we respond and can offer support to people suffering from mental illness, both as individuals and in pastoral care settings.
The format of the day will include some teaching plus time for reflection, sharing from our own experiences, questions and group discussion.
Please note that this workshop is an opportunity to look at issues around mental illnesses such as depression, and will not be focussing on dementia.
Bring your own lunch. Teas and coffees will be provided.
NUMBERS ARE LIMITED
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW – CLICK ON THE EVENTBRITE WEBSITE LINK BELOW