Dean Russell MP attended The Faith and Mental Health Conference in Parliament which was a thought-provoking and impactful event, organised by One Vision. The conference brought together inter-faith leaders on a panel to discuss and address the pivotal role of faith in mental health.
Faith is an integral part of many lives, providing guidance and support to many individuals and families across communities. The conference provided a platform for faith leaders to share their insights on topics that deal with mental health, foster open dialogue, and encourage collaboration in addressing key issues.
There were 5 key conference themes which were addressed.
Faith Impact on Belief Systems: The conference explored the profound impact of faith on belief systems, shedding light on the role of spirituality in mental health and well-being.
Challenging Ideologies Limiting Access to Healthcare: Participants engaged in discussions aimed at challenging ideologies that may impede access to essential healthcare services, ensuring that mental health care is inclusive and accessible to all.
Engaging Faith Leaders in Supporting Service Users' Recovery: Faith leaders play a vital role in their communities. The conference emphasised the importance of engaging faith leaders as allies in supporting service users on their path to recovery and wellness.
Encouraging Positive Religious Expression and Practice: Promoting positive religious expression and practice is essential for mental health. The conference delved into strategies for fostering an environment where individuals can freely practice their faith in ways that contribute positively to their mental well-being.
Prayer and Healing – Getting the Balance Right: The balance between prayer and healing was a crucial focus of the conference. Participants explored how faith-based practices can complement and enhance mental health treatment and recovery.
The conference featured inter-faith leaders from diverse backgrounds, each bringing their unique perspective and experiences to the panel discussion. Following the panel, there was a Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage directly with the speakers and explore these critical topics in greater detail.
Dean Russell MP expressed his support for this event, stating, "I was pleased to attend The Faith and Mental Health Conference in Parliament, organised by One Vision. Faith plays a significant role in the lives of many, and it can have a profound impact on mental health and well-being. By bringing together faith leaders and experts in mental health, we hope to foster understanding, collaboration, and meaningful dialogue. This conference is a testament to the importance of recognising and supporting the intersection of faith and mental health in our communities."
Enoch Kanagaraj Founder and CEO of One Vision said We are delighted to bring Faith Leaders together at the Houses of Parliament along with Dean Russell MP. Faith or Non-Faith can struggle and affects every aspect of our life. People who struggle with mental health disorders are frequently reluctant to speak up or ask for help because they are worried about the stigma associated with their condition. This used to be really true for the Faith community. However, things are now gradually changing as more and more faith leaders are promoting mental health awareness and this event is certainly focused to help the vulnerable'.
Miriam Hassam, Vice President of The Muslim Council to Britain said - “It was a lovely event and we got to discuss important issues of mental health, challenges of mental health but also from the different perspectives of different faiths. Listening to the lovely insights of thinking outside the box”.
Rabbi Mordechai Chalk, from Watford Synagogue - “The event like this where all different religions got together without discussing politics and just talking on one central topic where we all have troubles. We all struggle and where we can all really build together for a better future if we take the politics out of it and just have dialogue. We can focus on each other's needs and once then it's something we can create big change and create harmony and a sense of true well-being across the whole entire community”.
Photo courtesy of One Vision
