Mental Health Pastoral Care: Christians, Mental Illness, Attitudes and Historical Context by Edna Hunneysett

A sixty-eight-year-old Catholic mother with eight children and sixteen grandchildren, began her tertiary education at the age of fifty, when her thirteen-year-old daughter fell into a severe clinical depression.

Edna experienced the limitations of her Church’s capacity to cope with people with mental illnesses and their families. From then onwards, she has devoted herself to studying, writing and speaking about the phenomena, stigma and discrimination within Christian congregations.

This book demonstrates how it is within the Church’s power to make a positive difference in the lives of people with mental health difficulties, written by someone who has made a difference.

Edna’s is a voice that the Churches must heed.

By Rt Rev Professor Stephen Sykes Formerly Bishop of Ely and retired Principal of St. John’s College, Durham

This is one of the most in-depth studies into the Christian community’s response to people with mental health problems ... an incredible piece of research.

By Rev Bill Serplus Hospital Chaplain, Diocese of Middlesbrough