Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute Professional Development Seminar: Suicide Prevention

Speakers: Trinette Stanley and Rev. Dr Keith Condie, Co-Director, Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute

Thousands of Australians are impacted by suicide every year – including many in our churches. 

Jesus has tasked the church with proclaiming hope to the hopeless – which includes those who are suicidal.  We are uniquely placed to prevent suicide, to provide compassionate care for those who are suicidal, and to practically support those who are left behind. 

Join us as we delve into a biblical understanding of mental health and illness, and explore some important theological truths concerning suicide. 

We will also discover how to be a church that prevents suicide through connecting people with God and community, a church that intervenes through staff and congregation members who have the confidence to speak to those who are suicidal, and a church that promotes postvention through helpful responses in our teaching, programs, and care structures.

Speakers: Trinette Stanley and Rev. Dr Keith Condie 

As a member of Anglicare’s Family and Life Skills Education team, Trinette works with local Churches to equip them with the knowledge and skills to promote positive mental wellbeing and to care for those who wrestle with mental health challenges.

Trinette has parish ministry experience, and has spent significant time delivering discipleship and ministry training to young adults.  Before commencing with Anglicare in March 2021, she spent 13 years with the Year 13 Gap Year program in various pastoral and leadership roles.  During this time she journeyed with many who were wrestling with their own mental health challenges, or who were supporting friends and family members.  This prompted her to consider the intersection of theology and mental health, and specifically the role of the local church in offering hope and healing.  Trinette became passionate about promoting the local church as a safe space with safe people, where those who suffer with poor mental health can seek refuge and find Jesus.

In her role, she seeks to improve mental health literacy and normalise mental health conversations in the church.  She enjoys shaping her training content for specific local contexts.

Trinette has a Bachelor of Theology and a Grad. Cert. of Pastoral Care for Mental Health from the Australian College of Theology, and is currently completing a Master of Social Work with CSU.

Keith Condie is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute. He has degrees in psychology, theology and history. He has worked in child welfare for the state government of NSW as well as serving as an Assistant Minister in two churches in Sydney. For nearly 20 years, he was on the Faculty of Moore Theological College as Dean of Students and Lecturer in Ministry and Church History. He believes that Christian faith and the church have much to offer in supporting mental health and wellbeing alongside the essential work of mental health professionals.

Founded by Keith and Sarah Condie, the Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute exists to resource churches and Christian believers alike, so that we can all be better equipped to understand mental health and to serve and love others well. The Institute provides biblically and psychologically informed training and resources about mental health and healthy relationships for churches and individuals.