‘Mental Health First Aid For Clergy’ is the title of a set of online and in-person training sessions that are being organised by Flourish!, the inter-denominational suicide prevention initiative, during September and October 2025.
The in-person sessions will take place in Belfast on Monday 8th and Monday 15th September 2025 from 9.30pm-4pm. (Attendance on both days is required for the in person training.)
The online sessions will run over three mornings on Monday 6th, Wednesday 8th and Monday 13th October 2025 from 9.30am-1.30pm. (It is also required that all three must be attended.)
A spokesperson for the organisation told us:
“Clergy are trusted leaders who do far more than lead religious services—they also play a vital role in the mental and emotional well-being of their congregations. During times of personal crisis, many people turn to faith, and Clergy are often the first to hear about issues such as stress, grief, anxiety, or family problems. By offering a listening ear and providing emotional and spiritual support, clergy often become a first step on someone’s path to healing.
“While prayer and spiritual guidance are invaluable, Clergy can also serve as vital connectors to mental health professionals such as Counsellors and Doctors. By speaking openly about mental health—in sermons, gatherings, or one-on-one conversations—Clergy can help reduce stigma and encourage others to seek support without fear or shame.
“The Protect Life NI Suicide Prevention Strategy found that clergy often lack formal training in mental health, and many have expressed a desire for more education in this area.”
How You Can Help
“If you’re a member of the Clergy, consider taking part in mental health training. One excellent opportunity is the internationally recognised Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Course, and Flourish! are running it this year, specifically for Clergy. MHFA is taught in over 25 countries and is used in schools, workplaces, faith communities, and healthcare settings around the world. It’ll equip you with the skills and confidence to have open, supportive conversations around mental health, deal with crisis situations and help you understand and recognise the signs of common conditions such as:
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Addiction
• Psychosis
• Trauma
• Eating Disorders
• Suicide
• Self-Harm
“You’ll also learn a clear, step-by-step action plan for offering initial support and guiding individuals to appropriate professional help.”
Supported by each of Ireland’s four main Churches, Flourish is also backed by the Public Health Agency and the Lighthouse – Beacon of Hope
If you would like to register, please email info@wewillflourish.com and you can find out more on the Flourish! Facebook page.
