Encourage Mental Health - training and resources for churches

31/07/2026

Cheryl Hawkins our founder has started writing a new column for Puremediathemagazine on all things mental health.

She starts it off with reflections about being bored during the long summer holidays as a child - and how being bored isn't always a bad thing.

14/07/2026

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