If there’s anyone qualified to prepare a series of workshops to equip pastoral caregivers, ministry staff and everyday Christians to better serve the mental health needs of their churches and communities, it’s Miriam. Yet if it weren’t for her six-month period as an ADM Fellow, the workshops simply wouldn’t exist.

Every person experiences challenges throughout their life that impact their mental health. A new online course, developed by Rev. Dr Keith and Sarah Condie, seeks to help Christians address these challenges and build resilience in order to “press on” and continue to serve Christ faithfully.

A conversation about mental health and wellbeing, how the gospel speaks into this space and provides hope, as we seek to care for each other well. With Rev. Jo Gibbs, CEO of ADM; Rev. Dr Keith Condie, Co-Director of the Mental Health and Pastoral Care Institute, at Mary Andrews College; and Rev. Lily Strachan, 2021 ADM Fellow.

Starting in Semester 2, 2021 Mary Andrews College is running a new course – the Graduate Certificate of Pastoral Care for Mental Health. The course offers specialised training in pastoral responses to mental health and wellbeing with a focus on preventative and reactive strategies. It is designed to be a professional development course for men and women who work in ministry, professional health care workers, and Christians working in schools.