The Sanctuary Course: Bring Mental Health Ministry to Your Congregation
The Sanctuary Course has came up repeatedly in our conversations with ministry leaders who had used it in their churches and found it helpful - we actually sat down with leaders a few months ago to share their experience using the course in their contexts. We also sat down with Sanctuary CEO Daniel Whitehead to learn more about the course and the work of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries.
Developed by Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries, the Sanctuary Course was designed specifically for church settings. It’s accessible, beautifully produced, and FREE to use. The course offers a framework to talk about mental health in a way that honours both faith and science, both theology and lived experience.
About The Sanctuary Course
The Sanctuary Course is an eight-week, video-based small group study designed to equip churches to engage in conversations around mental health in a faith-informed, compassionate, and inclusive way. Developed by Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries, a nonprofit based in Canada, the course integrates insights from mental health professionals, theologians, and people with lived experience of mental health challenges.
It is designed to be accessible, pastorally sensitive, and biblically rooted.
Each of the eight sessions includes:
A short film featuring theologians, psychologists, and individuals with lived experience
A reading from the comprehensive coursebook
A group discussion guide with reflection questions
A spiritual practice or liturgical element (e.g., a Psalm, breath prayer, journaling prompt)
Topics Covered
Mental Health and Illness – why it matters in a faith context
Mental Health Stigma – explore cultural and theological factors that contribute to stigma
The Recovery Journey – emphasizing hope, resilience, and holistic healing
Companionship – developing practices of presence and listening
Caregiving and Community – recognizing our role in mutual care
Self-Care – moving beyond burnout to sustainable, embodied rhythms
The Church and Mental Health – a call to reimagine our theological frameworks
Reflection and Integration – working through insights from each topic to make actionable next steps
Each session opens with Scripture and closes with prayer, grounding the conversation in spiritual practice and reflection.
What makes this course unique?
Tri-Perspectival Approach: The course integrates psychological insight (mental health literacy), social understanding (stigma and community care), and theological reflection (Scripture, suffering, and spiritual formation).
Lived Experience: It prioritizes real voices—people who have struggled, recovered, relapsed, and kept the faith.
Designed for Church Use: This isn’t a clinical training—it’s a pastoral resource meant to normalize mental health conversations in Sunday school rooms, staff meetings, Bible studies, and small groups.
Free Access: Everything is downloadable, adaptable, and cost-free, thanks to the generosity of donors and Sanctuary’s commitment to accessibility.
Have you worked through The Sanctuary Course?
Share your insights and take aways in the comments below.