“Tackling Mental Health Issues in a multi-faith Context’’
The Essex Mind & Spirit Conference will aim to:-
*Explore the Faith/spirituality contribution to Mental Health service Provision
*Identify some ways in which different faith groups/religious communities can positively engage with and contribute to an understanding of mental health and its recovery
*Explore how such an understanding and positive contribution can interact with voluntary and statutory services and be a valued partner in the task to tackle mental health issues.
The objective of the event is to also bring together the full diversity of faith organisations in the County; statutory bodies & other key stakeholders and decision-makers on mental health to discuss:
*The positive contribution that faith/spirituality can make to good mental health.
*The leadership role of faith/spiritual leaders to combat the discrimination & stigma experienced by those suffering mental ill.
*The best way in dealing with some of the ethnic and cultural taboo that mental ill health invokes in some communities
*The range of mental health services & support provided by faith organisations and the ways in which they can be better and more seamless working with the statutory sector.
Speakers will include:
Sue Baker (Director: Time to Change)
Steve Porter (Associate Director: SEPT)
Sidra Naeem (Essex Mind & Spirit)
Hari Sewell (Consultant on BME Mental Health)
Mark Dale (Mental Health Service User)
Workshop sessions will look at how faith/spiritual groups can assist with:
Mental health in the workplace
Mental health in BME communities
Mental health and stigma
Mental health in schools;
Accessing mental health services; and
Does spirituality help with mental health?
The outcomes of the conference are to promote a genuine dialogue with statutory providers and establish new relationships that benefit all service users in Essex. A report, with action plan, will be produced post-conference and this will guide EMS work priorities over the next two years.
EMS view this major, county-wide Conference is an exciting event that has the potential to start a purposeful dialogue between Essex Faith/Spirituality organisations and statutory mental health service providers. This will not only promote greater understanding, but better and more seamless working, which can only benefit mental health service users.
Faith/spiritualitygroups in the county deliver a range of services and facilities that benefit people with mental health issues and we are certain that these can be better aligned with statutory provision to secure better service outcomes. We also have leadership role in our communities and can influence attitudes for the better, including tackling cultural taboos and getting people to seek appropriate professional assistance.
