What It Is:
A year-long learning and action cohort that equips faith communities to respond faithfully to mental and behavioral health challenges and become centers of healing and wholeness. Through our initiative, we will walk alongside you in a structured process for developing a plan for becoming a hub of healing, resilience, and justice.
Who Should Join:
Faith communities of any size or tradition who care about the mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of their people and neighborhoods.
Only faith communities are eligible to apply. A faith community is defined as a group of people who regularly gather for worship as part of an established faith tradition. This does not include stand-alone nonprofits, Bible study groups, or informal gatherings without regular worship. We also need to be able to verify your identity through social media, website presence, or denomination verification.
Commitment:
Each participating community should identify at least two champions to represent them in the cohort. Champions can be clergy, staff, or lay leaders—however, faith leader approval is required for participation.
The cohort includes:
- Monthly virtual gatherings
- Additional local meetings and action steps within your faith community
- Optional trainings, webinars, and regional in-person Summits
Abundant Life Timeline
Our four-phase journey is intended to guide you towards action.
What Faith Communities Receive?
As a participant in this program, your congregation will benefit from various levels of tailored support designed to guide you every step of the way. Here’s what to expect:
- Resources, Content and Support
Receive comprehensive resources from the Council’s experienced staff, including assessments, planning tools, and technical support tailored to your church’s unique needs. These resources will help your congregation develop a sustainable mental health hub that supports the well-being of your community. - A Peer learning Network
Opportunity to collaborate and learn from diverse congregations in your region, allowing you to share insights, build partnerships, and address regionally relevant issues together. These gatherings provide a space for local collaboration and resource-sharing. - Structured Framework to integrate behavioral health into ministry. At the end of the process who you will have developed a plan for addressing behavioral health and wellbeing in your community.
- Opportunity to Apply for Grant Funding of $5,000 If your faith community is able to move through the various phases and propose an impactful ministry initiative, you will be eligible to apply for funding to support your behavioral health initiative.
A key belief behind the hub’s mission is that when people experience abundant health of mind, body and spirit and they feel whole and supported, they are empowered to serve, contribute, and uplift others. This hub creates a ripple effect: by supporting individuals’ mental health, it equips them to engage in meaningful action within their communities. People who experience wellbeing are inspired to participate in ministries, volunteer, and support others, enhancing the life of the congregation and community alike.
Together, we’re sparking a movement of health and wholeness that grows from within—bringing healing, hope, and abundant life to every corner of our communities. Learn more about becoming a trauma-informed mental health and wellbeing hub and be part of this vital change!
Ideas for Abundant Life Projects
Healing After the Storm: Helping Recovery Become Resilience by Centering Mental Health and wellbeing.
Hurricane recovery is about more than rebuilding structures; it’s about healing hearts and minds. Join our Abundant Life Initiative to create spaces where recovery supports mental health, healing from trauma, and fosters mental and spiritual wellbeing, helping your congregation become a hub of hope and resilience for mind, body, and spirit.
Aging Well: Mental Health and Resilience in the Second Half of Life.
Aging is more than physical—it’s a mental and spiritual journey. Through the Abundant Life Initiative, help your congregation support older adults in maintaining mental resilience, purpose, and joy as they age. By joining the Abundant Life Initiative, you can create a hub for workshops, social connections, and mental wellness resources that foster healthy aging and emotional wellbeing.
Young Families: Mental Health and Wellbeing for Parents
Raising young children comes with unique challenges for mental health, from sleep deprivation to managing new responsibilities. According to a recent statement from the U.S. Surgeon General, parents today are struggling more than ever with mental health issues like stress, anxiety, and burnout. These challenges don’t only impact parents; they affect children as well, shaping their emotional development and resilience. Through the Abundant Life Initiative, become a resource for parents and caregivers, offering tools, support, and community connections to nurture the mental wellbeing of young families, empowering them to thrive together.
Youth Mental Health
Help teens navigate life’s ups and downs by becoming an Abundant Life hub, where they can learn tools for emotional regulation, mindfulness, and spiritual growth. Offer workshops, peer support groups, and engaging activities that build mental health and faith. With social media shaping youth mental health, the Abundant Life Initiative can provide guidance on healthy tech use, social media boundaries, and self-image. Help youth manage online stress and find self-worth beyond the screen through faith-informed workshops.
Healing Across Generations: Mental health and intergenerational trauma
Join the Abundant Life Initiative to create a trauma-informed hub that helps congregations recognize and heal the impact of intergenerational trauma. Many families and communities carry wounds passed down through generations. As an Abundant Life hub, create a safe space where people of all ages can explore the roots of trauma, build empathy, and support each other’s journeys toward healing. Together, we can break cycles of pain and foster resilience through faith, support, and understanding.
Questions? Contact phwinfo@ncchurches.org