Member Care Updates Expanding the global impact of member care
Working together for wellbeing and effectiveness
Special News--October 2021
Mental Health, Trauma, and WellbeingPathways for Global Mental Health as Mission
________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________See also the WHO's mental health resources for the public.
Global Mental Health (GMH) is an international, interdisciplinary, culturally-sensitive,
and multi-sectoral domain which promotes human well being,
the right to health, and equity in health for all.
GMH-Map website
----------- Welcome to our 150th Member Care Update!
In this issue we return to the fascinating and crucial area of Global Mental Health as Mission (gmhM), en route to World Mental Health Day (10 October), now in its 30th year. How can the Church-Mission Community (CMC)--and each of us and our organizations--be involved in promoting and nurturing mental good health and preventing and healing mental ill health? What are some of the pathways for creatively, competently, and ethically engaging in gmhM, locally through globally?
Mental ill health is a massive, ubiquitous reality with an estimate of nearly 800 million people suffering from a major mental health condition (Our World in Data, Mental Health, updated August 2021). There are many opportunities for the CMC to delve further into this neglected area of ministry, combining good works and the good news in our churches, communities, countries, and world, on behalf of the wellbeing all people and peoples (Ephesians 2:10)
Keep in mind that gmhM is not simply about developing more CMC resources for treating possible biological and/or psychological conditions or illnesses. Rather it is also about prevention: including bravely facing and ministering into the underlying negative influences on mental health, trauma, and wellbeing—nefarious life-destroyers like social determinants of health, commercial determinants of heath, poverty, trauma, adverse childhood experiences, corruption, etc. Applications. We encourage you to take some time to look through the materials below. They are both inspirational and informative and include articles, conferences, webinars, interviews, and videos. Choose a couple items for further review. Consider a few specific applications--pathways!--for you and your settings. How can we learn from, connect with, and apply some of the resources and examples presented?
Finally, we continue to share Reflections and Resources for Covid Care (click the link for access). These materials have been compiled over the past year to support you, others in your life, and your work in mission and member care. We acknowledge that there are many views about this pandemic including how best to manage it and future pandemics via science, policy, and public cooperation. Going further--see these resources:
--Global Mental Health in Frontier Mission
Member Care Update (December 2018)
--Caring for Our Mental Health
Member Care Update (October 2019)
--Engaging in Humanity Care: Stress, Trauma, and Humanitarian Work
Christian Psychology Around the World (May 2020) Warm greetings,
Kelly and Michèle   --Share your comments and resources on our MCA Facebook page --Send us your ideas and resources for future MC Updates
--Forward to your colleagues and networksMCAresources@gmail.com
Featured Resources
Mental Health, Trauma, and Wellbeing
Pathways for Global Mental Health as Mission
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How can the Church-Mission Community connect-contribute to GMH, and vice versa?
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Three GMH Events Global Mental Health: Three Strategic Events (5-12 October 2021). Seven power point slides from Kelly's presentation on 23 September 2021 at the meeting of the Psychology Coalition at the United Nations. What major events are happening in GMH and why are they important?
--GMH Ministerial Summit, Paris (5-6 October 2021). Integrating mental health/health in/after the pandemic and innovative practices for mental health-human rights (plenaries to hopefully be live streamed and archived).
--World Mental Health Day (10 October) Themes: Mental Health in an Unequal World (WFMH) and Mental Health Care for All: Let's Make it a Reality (WHO). "The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide." (quote from WHO) --WHO Mental Health Forum (11-12 October). By invitation and hoping that the main sessions will be archived and available as videos shortly.
Coming soon:
Addressing Mental Health in Global Contexts. 21 October 2021, 19:00—20:30 EDT Register here. Organized by Fordham University--Psi Chi and the Psychology Coalition at the United Nations.
The Fellowship of Suffering: Insights for Trauma Healing (July 2021). Harriett Hill. International Bulletin of Mission Research. “In a world brimming over with trauma and suffering, what is the gospel? And what is the church? In this article, Harriet Hill explores the church as a fellowship of suffering, drawing insights from her years of experience in trauma healing. She describes the first “Healing the Wounds of Trauma” workshop in 2002 with pastors from war zones across Africa. Then she explores factors that prevent churches from engaging in this fellowship of suffering, countered with reasons the church is ideally placed to be a fellowship of suffering.” (Abstract)
“Trauma healing [Healing the Wounds of Trauma] is now active in 112 countries, with over 16,000 trained facilitators in Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox churches, and with materials in 148 languages. Versions of the materials have been developed for children, teens, and oral communicators, and they exist in print, audio, and video formats. The materials have been contextualized for a host of audiences, including refugees, inmates, African Americans, military, missionaries, natural disasters victims, and Muslims, and for cultures from Greenland to Sri Lanka. Lessons have been developed on domestic abuse, addictions, abortion recovery, and suicide.” (p.271)
Pathways for GMH as Mission
Perspectives, Resources, Recommendations
Image courtesy and © 2019 JMLOD Interview: Smith, B., O’Donnell, K., & O’Donnell, M. (27 April 2021). Pathways into Global Mental Health [interview]. Full interview, 55 minutes. See Clip 2--an 8 Minute segment on” Six M’s of Engagement for Global Mental Health: Mindsets, Mentors, Models, Multi-Sectoral, Mainstreaming, Mechanisms.
Presentation: Gingrich, F., & Smith, B. (17 September 2921). Pathways to engaging global mental health: Here, there and in-between. Power point of the workshop presented at The American Association of Christian Counselors International Conference, Orlando, Florida, USA.
Global Mental Health
Defining the Domain
Logo for our GMH-Map website Global Mental Health (GMH) is an international, interdisciplinary, culturally-sensitive, and multi-sectoral domain which promotes human well being, the right to health, and equity in health for all. It encourages healthy behaviours and lifestyles; is committed to preventing and treating mental, neurological, and substance use conditions (MNS) especially for vulnerable populations (e.g., in settings of poverty, conflict, calamity, and trauma) and in low- and middle-income countries; and seeks to improve policies and programs, professional practices and research, advocacy and awareness, and structural and systemic, social and environmental factors that affect health and well being.” (based on the original definition in Global Mental Health: Finding Your Niches and Networks, Psychology International, March 2012)
Mental Health and Trauma Resources
Lausanne Movement
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--Rediscovering the WHOLE" in Holistic Mission, Lausanne Global Classroom (2021, videos). Eleven episodes from different mental health professionals. Most are around five minutes each. It is a go-to, free training tool to get a good overview on gmhM. Some episodes: Defining Mental Health and Trauma for the Church, Listening to Local Voices and Utilizing Indigenous Riches for Mental Health, Equipping Christians to Better Understand Mental Health Issues, and Mental Health and Ministry --Building Hope and Resilience in the COVID-19 Storm: Lament, Communities of Care, and the New Normal (2020, article). Gladys Mwiti
--Turning the Church's Attention to Mental Health: Binding Up the Broken Hearted (2018, article). Gladys Mwiti and Bradford Smith.
--More Lausanne resources for mental health and trauma ministry HERE.
See also:
--Wellbeing for All: Global Mental Health and the Church-Mission Community. Kelly and Michele O'Donnell. Lausanne Movement’s Global Mental Health and Trauma Network (webinar 29 November 2018; watch the video-webinar HERE)
World Health Organization
 Just released! Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030 (updated 21 September 2021). "This updated [Plan] builds upon its predecessor and sets out clear actions for Member States, the WHO Secretariat and international, regional and national partners to promote mental health and well-being for all, to prevent mental health conditions for those at-risk and to achieve universal coverage for mental health services. While the updated action plan includes new and updated indicators and implementation options, the original four major objectives remain unchanged: more effective leadership and governance for mental health; the provision of comprehensive, integrated mental health and social care services in community-based settings; implementation of strategies for promotion and prevention; and strengthened information systems, evidence and research." (quote from website)
Also see: WHO's many mental health resources for the public.
Final Thoughts
More Pathways for GMH as Mission Image courtesy and ©2016 ENOD "Mental health is increasingly being recognized for its pivotal role in health, sustainable development, and wellbeing for all people and of the planet. In this chapter we highlight several markers that collectively reflect crucial developments and directions for mental health’s global impact. These comprise events, reports, manuals, campaigns, consortia, etc., and this body of markers represent the culmination of a series of articles over the past 10 years to orient colleagues in mental health and across sectors to the domain of Global Mental Health (GMH) (GMH-Map Project). We organize the markers into 10 areas of engagement for GMH Collaboration and conclude with perspectives on working together into the future." (O'Donnell, Eaton, Lewis O'Donnell, 2021)
An example. We recently attended virtually the 75 minute UN High Level Event on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS). It was really good--with both summary/overview comments and practical in-country examples--and we have copied the short overview and list of speakers below.
You can watch the archive on UN TV here: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1e/k1eqh2jh54--there were about 10 speakers and it was moderated by Dr. Mike Wessells. The main focus was on providing MHPSS in conflict settings and integrating MHPSS and peacebuilding efforts.
The NEEM Foundation in Nigeria was one of the featured MHPSS programs/presentations and we want to recommend watching the new video about their work, 30 minutes--a vivid example of what MHPSS looks like, setting it up, measuring needs and impact, etc. Great for us all to get a glimpse beyond only reading the research/studies about mental health in Low- and Middle-Income Settings (LMICs) and in conflict settings. Counseling on Wheels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLtz8FsTxMcStay in touch. We encourage you to stay in touch with these GMH organizations---staying in touch with the issues, developments, resources, colleagues, applications, research, etc.
--GMH Action Network--Mental Health Innovation Network--Mental Health and Psychosocial Support NetworkFinally..."The GMH community must join others in the international, multi-sectoral community to advocate for solidarity in common efforts for sustainable development, locally and globally, to stir up and consolidate the best that we can be as individuals and institutions, including: greater empathy for others and mutual reliance on others; greater existential awareness of our finiteness and sense of meaning in life; and greater engagement with others for the common good and protection of the most vulnerable as well as the planet. Positively, the protracted COVID-19 pandemic provides plenty of opportunities for us all- personally, locally, and internationally--to reflect on the types of people we want to be and the types of societies we need to build. Many conversations have been started on the basis of the experience of the pandemic, which must now be operationalized into practical approaches to achieve the types of changes we have to make." (O'Donnell, Eaton, Lewis O'Donnell, 2021)Kelly and Michèle
Quotes above from: GMH: Collaborating for Sustainable Development and Wellbeing (April 2021). A revised version of this article will appear in the forthcoming volume (in press): E.P. Congress, H. Takooshian, & S. Osborn (Eds.), Behavioral Science in the Global Arena. Information Age Publishing.
Member Care Associates
MCAresources@gmail.com
Member Care Associates Inc. (MCA) is a Christian non-profit organization working internationally and across sectors. We focus on personnel development for mission, humanitarian, development, and health workers and their organizations; global mental health; ethics and good practice; and integrity/anti-corruption. Our services include consultation, training, research, developing resources, and publications.
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Our Special News-Updates 1) promote the wellbeing and effectiveness (WE) of staff and sending groups and 2) support the diversity of colleagues with member care responsibilities. The focus is on the mission sector with applications for/from the overlapping health, development, and humanitarian sectors. ----------  Global Integration (GI) is a framework for responsibly and actively engaging in our world--collaborating locally through globally for God's glory. It encourages connecting relationally and contributing relevantly on behalf of human wellbeing and the issues facing humanity, in light of our integrity and core values (e.g., ethical, humanitarian, human rights, faith-based). See more perspectives about GI HERE.
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