The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures to contain its spread are causing prolonged disruption and hardship to people’s lives in every part of the world, impacting not only people’s physical health and well-being, but also their mental health.
From our regional and global calls, we are aware that concern about mental health is rising up the agenda across the Communion. In some regions, the Church has started working on this, including in Latin America where an Anglican Commission for Mental Health has been formed. The commission is working hard throughout the region, gathering professionals and people in pastoral ministries to equip churches to deal with mental health-related issues.
We have today launched a new section on our COVID-19 resource hub on COVID-19 and mental health: looking after ourselves and others. The pages contain some top tips to help people care for themselves, the people they are with and others in the wider community during these challenging times. We also provide links to resources that we have found especially helpful, which can be adapted to different contexts.
We have also created a reflection, “Calm our fears in this time of great distress”. This short reflection is offered as a place of retreat, to provide a breathing space and the chance to spend a few moments immersed in the glory of God’s creation and in the love and peace of God. We hope this ‘visual retreat’ will provide a small measure of solace and joy in these difficult times.
