ON TRAC: Spiritual and pastoral care

This blended learning programme ran during November 2021 and February 2022 as part of an original research project for completion of a PhD, in collaboration with King's College London and supported by funding from the Guy's and St Thomas' Foundation.

It consisted of 10 eLearning modules and 8 live, online seminars taking place over 8 weeks during this time.

The eLearning modules are now freely available to browse for those interested in the topic.

About the Programme

The programme aims to provide Black faith and religious groups or communities with an understanding of mental health issues, and help you improve your spiritual and pastoral skills for supporting people experiencing mental health difficulties. Course Background “Spirituality can help people maintain good mental health.

It can help them cope with everyday stress and can keep them grounded. Tolerant and inclusive spiritual communities can provide valuable support and friendship.” (Mental Health Foundation, 2007) A well-structured pastoral engagement with faith/religious community members can help reduce isolation and stigmatisation, people with mental health may face within their communities.

If you feel inspired to work with members of your faith group around issues related to mental health, then please see the information below.

South London Listens

This work is now being taken forward by South London Listens, a unique partnership, lead by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, between the NHS, local authorities and community organisations.

Their two-year action plan was launched in response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health and wellbeing of our communities.

For more information please contact:

• Neil Balmer. South London Listens – Programme Lead. neil.balmer@slam.nhs.uk
• Leila Lawton (BABCP). Lead trainer, ON TRAC: Spiritual and Pastoral Care Programme - leila.lawton@slam.nhs.uk

If you would like more information about the research project please contact the lead researcher: Dr Louisa Codjoe, Lead Researcher - louisa.codjoe@slam.nhs.uk