Love Black Country Mental Health Forum are excited to announce their first ever day-conference:

SANCTUARY: MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING CHURCH CONFERENCE.

The conference will create space to explore how churches and Christian communities can be become sanctuaries that champion positive mental health and well-being.

Taking place on Friday 24th November, 9:30-3pm, at Life Central Church in Halesowen, the conference will explore the following topics:

• How to be a ‘mental health aware’ church.
• Mental health self-care and boundaries.
• What to do when mental health problems go beyond your remit?

The guest speaker will be Betsy De Thierry, a nationally renowned Trauma Recovery Consultant and Psychotherapist who is also a Church Leader. You can read Betsy’s full and impressive bio here.

Tickets cost £10 and can be ordered here.

Getting there and on-the day details:

1. To keep costs low for you at just £10, the event will have a lunch break, but it is not catered. Teas and coffees will be available—please bring a packed lunch or wander into Halesowen town centre to grab a bite to eat.

2. The entrance to the conference can be found at the main entrance of Lifecentral.

3. Disabled parking is available on-site upon request (to request email: jonathanallen@phasetrust.org.uk).

Pay and display parking options:

• Birmingham Street car park – 4 Birmingham Street, Halesowen B63 3HN
• Multi-storey car parking – Pool Rd, Halesowen, England B63 3AF”

Hope to see you there.
The Love Black Country Team

The Organisers

The conference is being organised by Love Black Country’s Mental Health Forum, which started in March 2022, when concerns were expressed about mental health and well-being in our boroughs.

It has become evident across churches and communities everywhere that greater awareness and understanding is needed regarding the mental health and well-being challenges many people experience on a daily basis. There has been a marked increase in male suicide levels and rising levels of youth anxiety in recent years. This, combined with existing poverty and loneliness has caused a toxic situation which needs addressing. The Covid pandemic has only served to highlight the high levels of need in the Black Country.

With existing well-being services are already stretched to the limit, we believe it is time for the church to step up and take action.

The Mental Health Forum is passionate about changing this situation and aims to provide resources and support for our churches and Christian communities to do just that. The group has a core membership of eight people, each with their own particular skill set, motivation and experience. However, there is one joint aim and that is encapsulated in our mission statement below:

To encourage Christian communities to journey towards becoming sanctuaries of spiritual and emotional well-being.

We’re excited to be hosting our first ever conference and hope you will join us and spread the word to those you think may be interested.