Mental Health

In Northampton we have been working in partnership with the national charity Action for Happiness to promote the 10 evidence- based activities people can do to improve their well-being enabling more people to Live Life to The Full. This is the acrostic GREAT DREAM below. David Smart says, “as a Christian GP it is the only framework I know, that has a biopsychosocial spiritual offer. It is not a prescription more a menu of options for people to take action.” https://www.actionforhappiness.org

Our mental health subgroup has pulled together some people with real passion and expertise in the area of mental health. It is clear that there is some excellent work going on in Northamptonshire.

1. We have compiled a Resource List of Services locally and online- to signpost people to when helping someone experiences challenges to their mental health

2. We have developed a list of Mental Health Courses available locally, on-line and ‘on the shelf’- see attached. It is divided up into five sections:

• Mental health awareness
• Courses to build up emotional resistance
• Developing mental health champions
• Support for those experiencing mental health challenges
• Developing a ministry in churches

Social prescribing is being introduced into general practice across the country and the use of non-medical interventions will become the norm as part of personalised care plans. This provides opportunity for the paradigm shift of an asset-based model (looking at what is working for you) rather than a deficit model and progress to more whole person care.

The mental health subgroup has conducted a survey of faith leaders to explore how churches support people experiencing challenges to their mental health, to share good practice and to identify resources to support people more effectively. Seventy eight responses were received and a summary of the results is available through this powerpoint presentation. Download Here

We are hoping to present some case-studies of good practice on this web-site in due course. We have developed a Mental Health Champions Workshop which we are happy to deliver to your church- if you are interested then do contact Sue Griffiths via [email protected]

Well-being cafes and Happy Café run very successfully in Northampton. In fact they are being used as a model for others to follow. These are opportunities for those with mental health issues to gather together in social environments to support each other, and do positive activities together. The Northampton Happy Café was shown on the national news, with David Smart being interviewed. The Wellbeing Café run by St Giles church was recently visited by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who was highly complementary!