“Addressing Mental Health in the Orthodox Church: The Assembly of Bishops Workshop Emphasizes Integrating Spiritual and Mental Care”

During the 2024 Clergy-Laity Congress, a workshop on the mental health ministries provided by the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops in the United States of America was hosted by Sangeetha S. Thomas (MS), Randa K. Anderson (PhD), Fr. Vasili Hillhouse (M.Div., M.A.), and Rebecca Pearsall (MSW). The workshop, titled The Assembly of Bishops’ Mental Health Ministries, aimed to explore the intersection of spiritual care and ministry with the mental health needs of parishioners.

The presenters encouraged attendees to consider the complexities of addressing mental health within the context of the church. They discussed how clergy and parish leadership can support the overall well-being of their congregation, highlighting the importance of taking responsible actions and the prevalence of mental health issues in communities.

Additionally, the workshop touched on the impact of socio-cultural stigma surrounding mental health and how this can affect an individual’s spiritual growth. Attendees also learned about the various resources available to help address the increasing mental health needs within Orthodox communities.

Overall, it emphasized that integrating mental health care with spiritual care is crucial for better serving holistic well-being of parishioners.