Mission

• advocating to eliminate their isolation and marginalization in congregational life and in society
• reducing ministerial burdens through enhanced pastoral care co-ministry
• increasing congregational knowledge of local mental health resources
• promoting mental health work in Unitarian Universalist context using our Caring Congregations curriculum

As one of the caucuses of Equual Access, a collective of people with various disabilities and their allies, our focus is on mental health issues, in a society that devalues people with mental health issues. Our special task is to counter these negative forces, replacing them with education, understanding and welcoming into our religious communities.

We shall work to accomplish our mission through the following actions:

Vision

Our focus is on mental health issues in a society that often devalues and dismisses people with mental health issues. In consonance with our first principle, we strive to counter these negative forces, with love and compassion, understanding, advocacy and acceptance in our religious communities.

We shall work to accomplish our mission through the following actions:

• Addressing obstacles to full participation in all Unitarian Universalist activities for those with mental health challenges.
• Educating ministers and congregations about mental health challenges in pastoral care, participation, and behavioral covenants.
• Developing and advocating for mental health accessibility policies and practices that endorse and ensure the full inclusion of people with mental health issues in a non-discriminatory manner.
• Affirming the spiritual gifts and needs of those with mental health issues.
• Helping congregations to identify and use local mental health resources that support Unitarian Universalist beliefs
• Advocating for these social justice causes in local, regional and national venues
• Encouraging all people with mental health issues and their allies within the denomination to join in this effort.
• Promoting our Caring Congregation curriculum to help accomplish these tasks

For more information. contact The Rev. Barbara Meyers. Click here to email The Rev. Barbara Meyers.