Resolution Number: 1991-D088
Title: Encourage Understanding of Mental Illness and the Needs of the Mentally Ill
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That members of the Episcopal Church are encouraged to become knowledgeable about mental illness in order to reduce stigma and stereotypes which are prevalent within the Church body and the Community-at-large; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church and all its units and organizations, be encouraged to reach out, welcome, include and support persons with a mental illness, particularly those who have a prolonged, serious mental illness, and the families of those persons, and recognize the abilities and celebrate the gifts of those who have a mental illness; and be it further

Resolved, That the church encourage the development of specific programs to equip the clergy and laity for ministry to the mentally ill and their families and that clergy and lay ministers seek out training and opportunities to minister to the spiritual needs of those who are affected by a mental illness; and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses and congregations work with existing agencies and organizations to assist with and initiate programs, such as support groups, drop-in centers, housing and employment opportunities, which lead to an improved quality of life for people who have a mental illness, with specific attention to those who have become homeless; and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses, congregations and individual parishioners become advocates for public policy and adequate funding to provide comprehensive community-based services, hospital care and research into the causes and treatment of mental illness; and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses, congregations and individuals utilize the resources and support services offered by the Episcopal Mental Illness Network (EMIN) of the Presiding Bishop's Task Force on Accessibility.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Phoenix, 1991 (New York: General Convention, 1992), p. 822.

Legislative History

Author:
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on Social and Urban Affairs

House of Bishops

Original Text of Resolution:

(D088)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the Episcopal Church, through its national offices, congregations, and members become knowledgeable about mental illness in order to reduce stigma and stereotypes which are prevalent within the Church body and the community-at-large; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church, in all its units and organizations, reach out, welcome, include and support persons with a mental illness, particularly those who have a prolonged, serious mental illness and the families of those persons, and recognize the abilities and celebrate the gifts of those who have a mental illness; and be it further

Resolved, That the clergy seek out training and opportunities to minister to the spiritual needs of those who are affected by a mental illness; and be it further

Resolved, That the congregations assist or initiate programs - such as support groups, drop-in centers, housing and employment opportunities - which lead to an improved quality of life for people who have a mental illness; and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses, congregations and members become advocates for public policy and adequate funding to provide comprehensive community-based services, hospital care and research into the causes and treatment of mental illness; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations utilize the resources and support services offered by the Episcopal Mental Illness Network (EMIN) of the Presiding Bishop's Task Force on Accessibility.

Proposed Committee Amendments:

In the first Resolved, following "concurring, That," add "members of."

In the first Resolved, delete "through its national offices, members and congregations" and replace it with "are encouraged to."

In the second Resolved, following "Episcopal Church," delete "in" and replace it with "and."

In the second Resolved, following "organizations," add "be encouraged to."

In the third Resolved, following "Resolved, That," insert "the Church encourage the development of specific programs to equip the clergy and laity for ministry to the mentally ill and their families and that."

In the third Resolved, before "seek out," insert "and lay ministers."

In the fourth Resolved, before "congregations," insert "diocese and."

In the fourth Resolved, following "congregations," insert "work with existing agencies and organizations to."

In the fourth Resolved, following "assist," insert "with."

In the fourth Resolved, following "mental illness," insert: ", with specific attention to those who have become homeless."

In the fifth Resolved, following "individual," insert "parishioners."

In the sixth Resolved, before "congregations," insert "dioceses."

In the sixth Resolved, following "congregations," insert "and individuals."

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #317)

House of Deputies

The Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #88 on House of Bishops Message #317 relating to Resolution D088a (Mental Illness) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #366)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 20.

Abstract:   The 70th General Convention encourages the Church to become knowledgeable about mental illness, to support persons with mental illness, to develop programs in ministry to them and to their families, and to become advocates for services, hospital care and treatment research.