World mental health day is observed on October 10th each year and aims to raise awareness of mental health issues.

The need to attend to our mental health however isn’t a seasonal concern, it’s a daily reality. At St Luke’s, we are very conscious of this as we seek to provide timely access to support for clergy and their families.

Mindful of this daily reality, I found myself writing daily emails to my team during the pandemic. What began as a practical check-in became a rhythm of reflection, encouragement, and connection. Looking back on those lockdown letters, one phrase kept surfacing: “It’s okay not to be okay.”

That daily attending helped us learn about things that mattered – from permission to rest, to finding hope in small things. So today, on World Mental Health Day, I want to share five themes that emerged from that season, lessons that continue to speak into our present:

1 – Wellbeing begins with permission

“You don’t have to be alright.”
In a culture that prizes resilience, giving ourselves permission to rest, wobble, and feel is a radical act. Wellbeing starts with acknowledging our humanity, not in spite of our work, but as essential to it.

2 – Spiritual anchoring in a shifting world

“Be still and know that I am God.”
Wellbeing isn’t just emotional or physical, it’s spiritual. Attending to our inner life isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

3 – Connection is a lifeline

“We’re still connected and connecting!”
Even in isolation, humour, honesty, and shared vulnerability created belonging. Wellbeing thrives in community, even when that community is dispersed.

4 – Grief and loss must be named

“She let God’s light shine through her life.”
Rather than bypass pain, we made space for it. We prayed, we cried, we remembered. Attending to wellbeing means attending to grief not as a problem to fix, but as a reality to honour.

5 – Hope is found in the small things

“Enjoy the little triumphs today.”
Whether it was a blooming field or a child’s drawing, hope often arrived quietly. These moments didn’t erase hardship, but they reframed it.

Join us in the conversation
On this World Mental Health Day, we invite you to reflect, connect, and share. Whether you are clergy, a St Luke’s supporter, or someone seeking hope know that your wellbeing matters. Every day.

#WMHD2025 #ClergyWellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #StLukesForClergyWellbeing