Encourage - Mental health training for churches

13/04/2026

Anyone fancy joining us in Northampton this Saturday?

Mental Health Training - Sat 18th April

Come along to find out how we can support and disciple those struggling with their mental health in our church and communities. Led by Dr Cheryl Hawkins from Encourage Mental Health

📅 Saturday 18 April from 10am for a 10.30am start
📍Duston URC, Main Road, NN5 6JF
🍴Bring your own lunch

This training is open to ALL!

To book please email Hannah Holmes: [email protected]

01/12/2025

This tragic story that I've read about in the news today is why I do what I do.

The Church can be a place of love, acceptance and community, all things that are great for people struggling with their mental health.

But Christians can also have unhelpful beliefs and a lack of knowlege about how mental illness shows up that stops people from getting the help and support they need.

Benjamin Obinim killed his mother and seriously injured his father and sister in a stabbing attack at their family home in Manchester. Benjamin had undiagnosed schizophrenia and his deeply spiritual family had believed he was being plagued by demons. Benjamin's father tells Sky News he is filled wit...

19/11/2025

As we get the first signs of winter, and it's getting colder and darker I wonder how you feel? I have had years of experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) where I get depressed in winter and I can really struggle to remain productive.

I've been reading a book called "How to Winter" by Kari Leibowitz which discusses ways of approaching winter differently with a more positive mindset.

So I'll ask the question she asks

What do you love about winter?

22/10/2025

Now that our online Church Mental Health course is officially out in the world (and I’ve just about recovered from all the editing, uploading, and caffeine consumption involved ☕️)…

…I’m diving straight into developing my next course. This time for Children and Family Ministry Workers.

It’ll focus on mental health - supporting young people, understanding what’s behind certain behaviours, and knowing when and how to help.

I’d love to hear from those working with children, families, or youth in church settings:

What situations or struggles do you wish you felt more confident handling?

What topics do you think are missing from current training?

And what would make this kind of course actually useful for you or your team?

Drop your thoughts in the comments and your ideas might just shape the next course.

10/10/2025

It’s world mental health day, and given what I do I should probably post something. However I’ve been poorly this week, my daughter has just come home from university to visit for the weekend and we’ve got a family celebration this weekend. So I’m not posting anything profound - or maybe I am? Maybe enjoy the good moments in life and don’t worry about your social media?

22/09/2025

The Church Mental Health Champion Course is here!!

We finally did it!!

This has taken a long time to convert our training into an online course, but it is now live 🎉

If you are wondering how you can best support people struggling with their mental health in your church or Christian organisation we have our in depth course now on line.

You can work through it at your own pace as you have access to it for a year.

If there is anything you don't understand or questions that you want to ask we have an online community to support you as you serve others.

We will be continuing to add resources to this course over the next year, so join us now before the price increases and be one of fabulous first church mental health champions.

https://encouragementalhealth.org/mental-health-church-champion-training

20/09/2025

Do you want to be able to confidently support people struggling with mental health issues in your church and communities?

Well on Monday we are launching our first online course. 8 hours worth of teaching giving you practical insights in how you can help.

Or as one of our testers said

"I have never done such a relevant and detailed course and I’m very keen to continue with it. I think the course is so relevant and valuable."

If you would like to get 1/3 off the price of our Church Mental Health Champion course when it launches on Monday just give us your email here https://subscribepage.io/FPXWuX -subscribe-2 and we'll contact you on Monday with the discount code.

*Note this discount is only for people who sign up in advance*

16/09/2025

Hi All

I wondered if you could help me get the word out about this.

Next week I’m launching the Church Mental Health Champion Course. An online course designed to give Christians confidence, practical tools, and a strong foundation for supporting people with poor mental health (without burning out).

👉 More information can be found here https://subscribepage.io/FPXWuX -subscribe-2. Register and you’ll get a special discount code next week. Feel free to share this with anyone who might be interested.

Thank you

10/09/2025

✨ World Su***de Prevention Day ✨

Thoughts of su***de can feel like a hidden struggle especially in church communities where people may feel pressure to appear “okay.” The truth is, someone sitting beside us at church may be silently carrying unbearable pain.

Stigma around mental health and faith can make it even harder to speak up. People might fear being judged, misunderstood, or told to “just pray harder.” But Jesus welcomed the weary and burdened, He never asked anyone to hide their struggles.

💛 Today is a reminder that:

- It’s okay to talk about suicidal thoughts.

- Listening without judgment can save lives.

- Compassion and presence matter more than perfect words.

- Faith and mental health support can go hand in hand.

Let’s make our churches safe spaces where no one has to struggle alone in silence.

📞 If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out for support.

In the UK, you can call Samaritans on 116 123 any time, day or night.

New Kapporet is a Christian helpline for support and prayer on 0808 801 0333 they are open to callers every day from 3pm to 11pm. It is free to callers in UK and offers full confidentiality and anonymity (if required).

Or Premier Lifeline a confidential Christian helpline. Call on 0300 111 0101* and find resources to help you on their website.
*Open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Closed on public holidays

29/08/2025

What is a Church Champion?

A Church Champion is someone who:
✅ Listens with compassion
✅ Knows how to respond when someone shares a mental health struggle
✅ Encourages their church to be a safe, welcoming place
✅ Knows their own limits and when to signpost for further help

What isn’t a Church Champion?
❌ A replacement for a mental health professional
❌ Someone who has to “fix” everything
❌ The only person in church who cares about wellbeing
❌ Someone expected to carry the weight alone

💡 The Church Champion Course equips everyday Christians with the confidence, tools, and theological understanding to support mental health in a healthy, sustainable way.

👉 We launch on 22 September. Will you be part of it? https://encouragementalhealth.org/mental-health-church-champion-training