CCA urges church-led action for mental health care on World Mental Health Day-2024

Programme Review and Programme Direction

Two key deliberative sessions during the 15th CCA General Assembly are the Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions.

The Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions will both be conducted in three groups relating to the CCA’s programme areas, namely, (i) General Secretariat (GS), (ii) Mission in Unity and Contextual Theology (MU) and Ecumenical Leadership Formation and Spirituality (EF); and (iii) Building Peace and Moving Beyond Conflicts (BP) and Prophetic Diakonia (PD).

Assembly participants will have the option to join one of three groups for both the Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions. For the sake of coherence, the assigned group will remain the same for both sessions.

General Secretariat

The General Secretariat oversees the coordination of programmatic, administrative, and financial activities of the organization. The GS comprises various departments such as church and ecumenical relations, relations with ecumenical partners, finance, administration, and communications, which provide crucial support and services for the implementation of programs and contribute to the overall functioning of the CCA.

Programmes: Relations with member churches and councils, ecumenical partners; advocacy at the United Nations; ecumenical responses to emerging issues in solidarity; income development and finance; and communications.

Mission in Unity and Contextual Theology (MU) and Ecumenical Leadership Formation and Spirituality (EF)

Under the MU programme area, the CCA accompanies Asian churches to strengthen their mission and witness in multi-religious contexts, revitalise and nurture church unity and the Asian ecumenical movement, and develop contextual theological foundations.

Programmes: Asian Movement for Christian Unity (AMCU); Congress of Asian Theologians (CATS); Asian women doing theology in the context of wider ecumenism; contextualisation of theology in Asia and ecumenical theological education.

The EF programme area focuses on nurturing and developing ecumenical leaders in Asia. The programme aims to enhance spiritual formation and theological understanding, enabling people to actively engage in ecumenical dialogue and collaboration.

Programmes: Ecumenical Enablers’ Training in Asia (EETA); Asian Ecumenical Institute (AEI); Youth and Women Leadership Development; Ecumenical Spirituality and Nurturing of Contextual Liturgical Traditions; Asia Sunday

Building Peace and Moving Beyond Conflicts (BP) and Prophetic Diakonia and Advocacy (PD)

The BP programme area is dedicated to promoting peace, justice, and reconciliation in Asia’s diverse contexts. Through training, advocacy, and dialogue, the programme addresses the root causes of conflicts, empowers communities, and fosters sustainable peacebuilding initiatives.

Programmes: Pastoral Solidarity Visits; Churches in Action for Moving Beyond Conflict and Resolution; Young Ambassadors of Peace in Asia (YAPA); Ecumenical Women’s Action Against Violence (EWAAV); Eco-Justice for Sustainable Peace in the Oikos.

The PD programme area focuses on promoting justice, human rights, and social transformation in Asia. Through advocacy, capacity-building, and raising awareness, the programme addresses systemic injustice, empowers marginalised communities, and advocates for prophetic actions and meaningful change.

Programmes: Human Rights advocacy; Migration, Statelessness, and Trafficking in Persons; Asian Ecumenical Disability Advocacy Network; Asian Advocacy Network on the Dignity and Rights of Children (AANDRoC); Ecumenical Solidarity Accompaniment and Diakonia in Asia (ESADA); Health and Healing; Good Governance; Action Together to Combat HIV and AIDS in Asia (ATCHAA).

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10 October 2024

 

Chiang Mai, Thailand: In a statement released today, 10 October 2024, for World Mental Health Day, the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) urged churches to lead efforts in promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and providing support to those struggling with mental health challenges. 

The theme for World Mental Health Day 2024 is “Mental Health at Work".

Mental health is often overlooked despite its far-reaching impact on individuals, families, and communities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly a billion people worldwide suffer from mental disorders, and tragically, over 726,000 people die by suicide every year. The Asia region has become home to 60% of global suicides and faces a profound mental health crisis, with countries such as South Korea, Japan, India, and others grappling with high suicide rates.

CCA General Secretary Dr Mathews George Chunakara underscored the need for mental health protection to be treated as a fundamental human right. He highlighted that mental well-being is often stigmatised, especially in professional settings, where vulnerability is seen as weakness. Many employees suffer in silence, fearing judgment or career repercussions, which deepens their isolation and worsens mental health challenges.

Dr Mathews George Chunakara said, “It is important to build strong support systems where individuals facing challenges feel secure, valued, and understood. Churches have a vital role to play, not only in advocating for mental health awareness but also in breaking down the barriers of stigma. By fostering environments of care and compassion, both at home and in the workplace, churches can help ensure that mental health is prioritised, and people feel encouraged to seek help without fear.”

“CCA urges its member churches and councils to engage in open discussions, equip counsellors, train professionals, and motivate volunteers to offer support and accompaniment, ensuring that every person experiences holistic health—physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual,” added the General Secretary.

The CCA reaffirms its commitment to addressing mental health across Asia and strengthening the Church’s role in health and healing.

Mental health remains a priority area in CCA’s strategic programme initiatives for the coming years, focusing on advocacy, access to support, availability of mental health treatment facilities, and constant accompaniment for those facing mental health issues.

The full text of CCA’s statement for World Mental Health Day 2024 can be found here: