The oldest church in Milnerton will be celebrating its 110th birthday by reaching out to those with mental health struggles.
And in order to do that St Oswald’s Anglican Church has partnered with the Kind Heart Bench Project and will install two of its benches at the intersection of the entrance.
October has been declared Mental Health Awareness Month with the objective of not only educating the public about mental health but also reducing the stigma and discrimination people with mental illness are often subjected to.
Setting up Kind Heart Benches raises awareness of various mental health issues, among others, where physical and mental health are interlinked.
“As we reached our 110th year of ministry and mission, St Oswald’s parish would like to reach out, share and celebrate their ethos of hope and inclusivity with the local community,” the church stated.
By partnering with the Kind Heart Bench Project, St Oswald’s is the first church in the area to engage in this interactive way, with the issues faced by those in the community dealing with mental health difficulties and various types of crisis and trauma.
The bright yellow benches were carefully placed and create a warm, open and welcoming place to relax and connect with others, to spend a moment and by using the information provided on the plaques, connect all individuals with those who are trained to help.
“This is a church which opens its doors and welcomes all, no matter who or what your circumstances are. Their aim has always been to invite conversation and create change, in the spirit of ubuntu.
St Oswald’s would like to be the intersection where people are able to meet, share and grow – a place where there is a safe space for open communication, support and interaction between all,” says Bradley Bailey from the Kind Heart Bench Project.
What is the Kind Heart Bench Project?
The Kind Heart Project aims, with the support of Western Cape on Wellness (including other professionals and counsellors) to help to address the issues around peer pressure, bullying and other mental and health issues.
This will also help to foster and build effective programmes to:
- Promote the healthy social and emotional development of all children and youth;
- Recognise when young people are at risk for or are experiencing mental health problems;
- Identify how to intervene early and appropriately when there are problems and
- Development of a peer to peer toolkit for students to recognise and deal with these issues.
The placement of the Kind Heart Bench is a visual reminder to talk to and engage openly with one another, where you can sit down and talk to someone
Visit www.saferspaces.org.za/be-inspired/entry/kind-heart-bench-project
