Caring for the Self in the Midst of a Crisis
As ministers and leaders, when we find ourselves in the midst of a crisis, our first instinct is to ensure all those around us are being cared for and supported. But in order to sustain ourselves as we provide for others, we need to keep filling our own wells and look after our own spiritual, mental and emotional health.
Ministry leader, Nurse, Counsellor and Psychotherapist Michelle Yates (Shore Grace Wesleyan) has collated some resources for Pastor’s and Ministry leaders to help support them in maintaining good mental health for themselves and those they minister to during this season of Rāhui/Lockdown.
Self Care Resources for Ministers and Ministry Leaders
(Click on the bold text in order to access the links)
Guidelines from the Ministry of Health on maintaining good mental health during Aotearoa’s Alert Level 4.
An article from ‘Ministry – International Journal for Pastors’ on the art of restoring human dignity & potential to people experiencing crises.
Taking care of the self when the boundaries are between ministerial life and personal life are blurred.
(We will also be uploading further resources for maintaining good mental health during the COVID-19 Level 4 Alert to our Local Church Resources page)
If you or someone you know is struggling and needs to talk:
Everyone needs help sometimes, and it is both normal and natural to be experiencing stress, anxiety and grief during this Rāhui/Lockdown.
If you would like pastoral support, counselling or ministry supervision please contact our counselling and supervision team for a referral by sending a confidential email to: support@wesleyan.nz
It is ok to ask for help. If you need someone to talk to please reach out. It is nothing to be ashamed of.
If you or someone you know is not coping:
If you feel you’re not coping, it’s important to talk with a health professional. The Ministry of Health have set up a free helpline to support anyone struggling with grief, anxiety, distress or mental wellbeing, you can call or text 1737 – free, anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – to talk with a trained counsellor.
If you’re not sure what assistance may be available, or you don’t know who to contact for help, call the Government Helpline on 0800 779 997, 8am to 10pm, 7 days a week.
For more information and resources about maintaining good mental health during this season of Rāhui/Lockdown please refer to the Ministry of Health guidelines linked below: