News by email Donate

Suggestions

Abc welby picbanner.jpg
Alamy
Abc welby pic.jpg
Alamy
World News

Archbishop of Canterbury : Talking about my mental health transforms me from 'empty to grumpy'

by Donna Birrell

The Archbishop of Canterbury says meeting and sharing with a small group every month benefits his mental health. Speaking via video link to the Church of Ireland’s MindMatters conference on mental health, Most Rev Justin Welby said :

“I know I can say anything in the safety and support of that group. I can say that I’m absolutely at the end of my tether, and I don’t know what to do about such-and-such a problem. And almost as soon as I’ve said it, it doesn’t seem quite as bad. We really trust each other. That sort of community is so, so important.”

The Archbishop recalled how his daughter had helped him during one particularly difficult time :

“A few years ago, I realised I was feeling different. I had experienced bouts of what I might now recognise as depression before. I had had some counselling around Post Traumatic Stress Disorder because I used to work frequently in conflict zones. And sometimes I felt absolutely awful, even though everything was, objectively, fine. But these feelings always seemed to pass, and I did not feel the need to talk to anybody or do anything about it. This, though, was different. I felt utterly hopeless.

"It was my daughter who helped me – she has been incredibly open about her own experiences with mental health and her experiences of depression and suicidal ideation. And she helped me to see that there was nothing to be ashamed of, and getting help was the right thing to do. So, I began taking antidepressants – which I still take – and talking to someone. It restores me from total emptiness to mere grumpiness – which is my normal state of being. I am, in Winne the Pooh terms, naturally an Eeyore. I was never going to be a Tigger, but my medication means I can happily Eeyore around.”

Archbishop Welby added :

“Often the church has moralised mental health issues and stigmatised those who are suffering, rather than offering them the gentle compassion and understanding that Christ offers them.”

A 2022 study of mental health disorders in the Republic of Ireland found that 42.5 per cent of people met the criteria for a mental health disorder. 11.1 per cent had a lifetime history of attempted suicide.

Archbishop Welby, who is currently in Jerusalem offering pastoral support to Anglicans and those affected by the Israel Gaza conflict, said there is still a stigma around mental health :

“It’s gotten better, there’s no doubt about that, but it still exists. We start with our willingness to talk about it, to share our experiences. Transparency and openness help people learn that mental health problems are an illness, not a sin. It’s not contagious. You can’t get it when you shake hands and share the peace on Sundays.

"If you look at the Psalms, we see that anguish and hopelessness has always been part of the human condition, and one we can take to God.”

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate