Spotlight Session: Trauma
Trauma-informed care in Christian community
with Belinda Burn
Monday, 10 August 2026
7:00PM - 8:30PM
In-person at ADM, Online & Recording
Standard $25 | Concession $15
Christians aren’t meant to do life alone. We’re made for honest conversations that relieve our burdens, not add to them.
How do we care wisely for people affected by trauma?
Many people carry painful experiences that others may never see. Trauma can shape how someone responds to safety, trust, community, relationships and faith.
That’s why ADM’s Mental Health Institute is hosting this Spotlight event: to help Christians, ministry leaders and church communities understand trauma more clearly and respond with greater compassion and care.
“The Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute with Keith and Sarah Condie, bring an intelligent, thoughtful and heart-warming approach to mental health, surely one of the great issues of times.”
About the Mental Health Institute
We are ADM’s Mental Health Institute. Founded in 2016 by Sarah and Rev. Dr Keith Condie, the Institute exists to help Christian believers and church leaders better understand mental health and care for others effectively.
Each month, our Spotlight sessions bring together mental health insight, Christian reflection and lived experience to address different mental health challenges from a Christian perspective.
We hope you’ll join us as we explore how Christian faith and good psychological science equip us to live mentally healthy lives and care for others with wisdom, compassion and hope.
Join us for Spotlight Session: Trauma
Many people in our churches are carrying painful experiences we may never know about.
Some have been hurt in the world. Some, very sadly, have been hurt within the church itself. If we want to love one another well, we need to keep learning what helps, what harms, and how to respond with care.
At this Spotlight event, Belinda Burn will help us understand what trauma is, how it affects the whole person, and what trauma-informed care can look like in Christian community.
We will also have the opportunity to hear from someone sharing their own lived experience.
About Belinda Burn
Belinda Burn is an ordained Anglican minister with training in theology, ministry, professional supervision and counselling. Following three decades of experience in parish ministry, Belinda served for more than five years as Chaplain for the Safe Ministry Team in the Sydney Anglican Diocese, where she supported and learned from many survivors of abuse.
Belinda currently serves as an assistant pastor at The Bridge Church and has a pastoral supervision practice supporting ministry practitioners. In 2026, she also has a research fellowship with Mary Andrews College, where she is writing on interpersonal apology for Christians and church leaders.
What we will explore
what trauma is and how it can affect the whole person;
how trauma may shape someone’s experience of safety, trust, community and faith;
what compassionate, trauma-informed care can look like in Christian community;
how churches can begin to respond with greater wisdom and humility;
how lived experience can deepen our understanding and care.
Who this conversation is for
This event may be especially helpful if you are a Bible study leader, Youth Group volunteer, ministry worker, women’s ministry leader, pastor, chaplain, pastoral carer, Christian counsellor, or someone who wants to better understand and care for people affected by trauma.
An important note about the topic
This event will discuss trauma and its effects. We will approach the topic carefully and respectfully, with an emphasis on understanding, pastoral wisdom, and care. It is not intended to replace professional counselling, medical care, or crisis support.
What past attendees have said
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“I came away more reflective about how we honour and love all members of the body of Christ.”
– Spotlight Attendee
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“Neil’s presentation on BPD was really informative and well-paced. He explained complex concepts in a way I could understand and answered questions helpfully. I found his insights truly valuable in equipping me to care better for someone in my small group.”
– Spotlight Attendee
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“Seeing mental health issues spoken of with such compassion, respect and in a well-considered professional way gives me great hope for the future of Christian communities dealing with these issues.”
– Spotlight Attendee
More about us
The Mental Health Institute is a ministry of Anglican Deaconess Ministries, based in Sydney, Australia.
We provide resources that assist those in ministry to understand the contribution they can make to good mental health and how to provide the best support possible to those experiencing mental health challenges in their congregations and communities.
We also want to assist everyday Christians to better understand mental health. You may be facing a mental health challenge, or you may be supporting someone experiencing mental ill-health. Our hope and prayer is that you will find resources here that will help you.