The focus of World Mental Health Day 2023 is around the idea of ‘Mental health as a universal right.’ Having worked to support many people seeking to access mental health services over the past year, the inequality in our service provision has become really apparent to me. Inevitably I have needed to encourage individuals to seek private mental health care if they can afford it, which furthers the inequality within our mental health care system. 

 

There is much work for us to do regarding greater equality of mental health provision in the UK, whilst also being grateful for the availability of so many services that just aren’t available to most of the global community. I also want to acknowledge the tireless and compassionate service of our NHS mental health care teams. The danger of ‘rights’-based conversations, is that they tend to work well on a governmental level, but on a local level the leave practitioners facing demands, rather the supports that they really need.

 

When it comes to rights, it’s crucial to consider our responsibilities. If we don’t match our rights with our responsibilities, mental health becomes a governmental problem. Positive mental health begins at community level: We need outstanding clinical services that are matched by local commitment to reduce loneliness, increase community activities, and enable deeper connection. 

 

Mind offers the following list of experiences that often lead to an experience of mental ill heath:

Whist this is not meant to be an exhaustive list, I am struck by the number of things listed that are isolation or discrimination/disadvantage related. This for me is an important prompt to think about the ways in which I personally, and we collectively can play out part in the wellbeing of others. 

 

It is also crucially makes me look to the Christian community and local church as a key element in the matrix of mental health provision. Jesus teaching in the Beatitudes and Great Commission have a direct implication in our drive towards the goal of ‘mental health as a universal human right.’ It is mandate of responsibility at local level, to fight against isolation and build a welcoming community that can genuinely offer recourse against many of the generative factors of mental illness. To do this we need envisioned church communities and equipped leaders, hopefully that’s were MASF can continue to play our part in the year ahead. 

 

Join us in praying for this important journey of ‘rights and responsibilities’ and for the individuals in our communities who are suffering in mind or spirit today.

 

This is a prayer written by the Methodist Church:

 

On World Mental Health Day, God grant

to those walking in darkness a light for their path.

To those riven with grief comfort.

To those damaged in relationships a healing love.

To those overwhelmed with busyness a quietened mind.

To those wracked with guilt an assurance of acceptance and peace.

To those anxious of the unknown a calmed spirit.

To those perplexed with a chaotic world a confidence in the future.

And to those thinking, ‘I’m not worth it’ - hope.

 

Amen