Bishop Michael’s article “Poverty and Destitution Is Driving Our Mental Health Crisis – and Christians Must Act” written for Christian Today, highlights the deepening link between poverty and mental health struggles in the UK, urging Christians to respond with both compassion and action.
Decades of austerity, the after-effects of Covid-19 and lockdowns, and cuts to public funding have culminated in a country where mothers lie awake at night, their bodies racked with fear because they cannot feed their children, families share a single toothbrush and clothes between generations, and parents routinely skip meals so that their children can have something to eat.
- Poverty and the Mental Health Crisis: Bishop Michael writes that poverty is the primary driver of mental illness in the UK, exacerbated by austerity, the COVID-19 pandemic, and cuts to public services. He shares harrowing accounts from Burnley, where families share toothbrushes, parents skip meals to feed their children, and individuals resort to foraging from bins.
- Biblical Call to Justice: Drawing on scriptures like Psalm 113 and Isaiah 58, Fleming emphasizes that Christians are called not only to charity but to challenge unjust systems that perpetuate poverty. He cites James 1:22, urging believers to be “doers of the Word.”
- Call to Action: He encourages Christians to use their votes, resources, and voices to advocate for systemic change, support the vulnerable, and address the root causes of poverty.
To read the full article visit: https://www.christiantoday.com/news/poverty-and-destitution-is-driving-our-mental-health-crisis-and-christians-must-act
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