Capacity Building on Mental Health Support and Counseling Services for Ministers - CAN Taraba Chapter
Capacity Building on Mental Health Support and Counseling Services for Ministers – CAN Taraba Chapter
In a significant step toward strengthening mental health support within faith communities, the Angee Life Worth Foundation, in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Taraba Chapter, successfully organized a comprehensive training program titled “Capacity Building on Mental Health Support and Counseling Services for Ministers.”
The training, held in Jalingo, Taraba State, brought together ministers from various denominations with a shared goal: to better understand mental health challenges and enhance their ability to provide effective support within their congregations.
Addressing a Growing Need
Mental health concerns are increasingly affecting individuals across all walks of life, including members of religious communities. Ministers are often the first point of contact for people experiencing emotional, psychological, and spiritual distress. However, many lack formal training in recognizing mental health conditions or providing structured support.
This training was designed to bridge that gap by equipping ministers with practical knowledge, essential counseling skills, and appropriate referral strategies.
Key Focus Areas of the Training
Participants were guided through a series of engaging sessions covering:
Introduction to Mental Health and its impact on individuals and communities
Common Mental Health Disorders, including depression, anxiety, stress, and substance abuse
Basic Counseling Skills, such as active listening, empathy, and confidentiality
Psychological First Aid (PFA) using the “Look, Listen, Link” approach
Mental Health Assessment and Documentation Tools
Referral Pathways and identifying when professional intervention is necessary
Practical Role-Play Exercises to reinforce real-life application
The training adopted an interactive methodology, combining lectures, group discussions, case studies, and hands-on practice to ensure effective learning and participation.
Breaking Stigma Within Faith Communities
A major highlight of the program was addressing the stigma surrounding mental health—particularly within religious settings. Participants explored common misconceptions, such as the belief that mental illness is solely spiritual or a sign of weak faith.
Facilitators emphasized that mental health conditions can have biological, psychological, and social causes, and that seeking professional help is not a lack of faith but a step toward healing. Ministers were encouraged to promote compassion, understanding, and openness within their congregations.
Empowering Ministers as Frontline Support
The training reinforced the critical role ministers play in mental health care, including:
Providing spiritual and emotional support
Identifying early warning signs of distress
Offering basic counseling and guidance
Making timely referrals to mental health professionals
Advocating for mental health awareness and stigma reduction
Participants were also reminded of the importance of maintaining ethical standards, setting boundaries, and understanding their limits in counseling situations.
Promoting Self-Care Among Ministers
Recognizing the emotional demands of ministry work, the program also emphasized self-care for ministers. Sessions highlighted the risks of burnout and compassion fatigue, while offering practical strategies for maintaining spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental well-being.
Ministers were encouraged to build support systems, set healthy boundaries, and seek help when needed—reinforcing the message that a healthy minister fosters a healthy congregation.
Expected Impact
By the end of the training, participants demonstrated improved knowledge of mental health issues, enhanced counseling skills, and increased confidence in identifying and referring cases appropriately. They were also equipped with standardized tools to support ongoing mental health interventions within their communities.
A Step Toward Healthier Communities
This initiative by the Angee Life Worth Foundation marks a vital step toward integrating mental health awareness into faith-based settings. By empowering ministers with the right skills and knowledge, the program is expected to contribute to early intervention, reduced stigma, and improved overall well-being across communities in Taraba State.
As the foundation continues its mission, it remains committed to building a society where mental health is understood, supported, and prioritized—both within and beyond the church.
← Back to all news
In a significant step toward strengthening mental health support within faith communities, the Angee Life Worth Foundation, in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Taraba Chapter, successfully organized a comprehensive training program titled “Capacity Building on Mental Health Support and Counseling Services for Ministers.”
The training, held in Jalingo, Taraba State, brought together ministers from various denominations with a shared goal: to better understand mental health challenges and enhance their ability to provide effective support within their congregations.
Addressing a Growing Need
Mental health concerns are increasingly affecting individuals across all walks of life, including members of religious communities. Ministers are often the first point of contact for people experiencing emotional, psychological, and spiritual distress. However, many lack formal training in recognizing mental health conditions or providing structured support.
This training was designed to bridge that gap by equipping ministers with practical knowledge, essential counseling skills, and appropriate referral strategies.
Key Focus Areas of the Training
Participants were guided through a series of engaging sessions covering:
Introduction to Mental Health and its impact on individuals and communities
Common Mental Health Disorders, including depression, anxiety, stress, and substance abuse
Basic Counseling Skills, such as active listening, empathy, and confidentiality
Psychological First Aid (PFA) using the “Look, Listen, Link” approach
Mental Health Assessment and Documentation Tools
Referral Pathways and identifying when professional intervention is necessary
Practical Role-Play Exercises to reinforce real-life application
The training adopted an interactive methodology, combining lectures, group discussions, case studies, and hands-on practice to ensure effective learning and participation.
Breaking Stigma Within Faith Communities
A major highlight of the program was addressing the stigma surrounding mental health—particularly within religious settings. Participants explored common misconceptions, such as the belief that mental illness is solely spiritual or a sign of weak faith.
Facilitators emphasized that mental health conditions can have biological, psychological, and social causes, and that seeking professional help is not a lack of faith but a step toward healing. Ministers were encouraged to promote compassion, understanding, and openness within their congregations.
Empowering Ministers as Frontline Support
The training reinforced the critical role ministers play in mental health care, including:
Providing spiritual and emotional support
Identifying early warning signs of distress
Offering basic counseling and guidance
Making timely referrals to mental health professionals
Advocating for mental health awareness and stigma reduction
Participants were also reminded of the importance of maintaining ethical standards, setting boundaries, and understanding their limits in counseling situations.
Promoting Self-Care Among Ministers
Recognizing the emotional demands of ministry work, the program also emphasized self-care for ministers. Sessions highlighted the risks of burnout and compassion fatigue, while offering practical strategies for maintaining spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental well-being.
Ministers were encouraged to build support systems, set healthy boundaries, and seek help when needed—reinforcing the message that a healthy minister fosters a healthy congregation.
Expected Impact
By the end of the training, participants demonstrated improved knowledge of mental health issues, enhanced counseling skills, and increased confidence in identifying and referring cases appropriately. They were also equipped with standardized tools to support ongoing mental health interventions within their communities.
A Step Toward Healthier Communities
This initiative by the Angee Life Worth Foundation marks a vital step toward integrating mental health awareness into faith-based settings. By empowering ministers with the right skills and knowledge, the program is expected to contribute to early intervention, reduced stigma, and improved overall well-being across communities in Taraba State.
As the foundation continues its mission, it remains committed to building a society where mental health is understood, supported, and prioritized—both within and beyond the church.