Faith Community Wellness Council

While the program subsided during the pandemic years, it rebounded with greater vitality in 2022 under the leadership of Sister Darlene Kelly (board member 2019-2023) and was renamed the Faith Community Wellness Council. Our mission is to provide resources promoting health and wellness of spirit, mind, and body for the faith community.

Currently, the council organizes meetings on a quarterly basis on various topics. In 2024, representatives from area faith-based groups met in unity for a forum on Homelessness and Mental Health, presentation of Substance Use Concerns In Our Region, a Survivors of Suicide & Overdose discussion, and a workshop on the importance of Belonging.  At these meetings we not only present statistics and stories, but discuss stigma, obstacles to access,  and how we can work together to prevent such tragedies as we provide healing in our spiritual homes. We believe that mental health and faith go hand-in-hand, and as much as we try to pray things away, it is ultimately through collaboration, resource-sharing and open dialogue that solutions come to fruition. 

As a result of these collaborations, Mental Health Fauquier has brought about a new program, Spiritual First Aid. This is a certificate training program that teaches church-based helpers to intervene and provide emotional and spiritual support to those in need. We look forward to implementing additional solutions that meet the needs of the underserved or underheard with greater participation. 

Since our inception in 1964, the Mental Health Association has worked closely with faith leaders to identify and address the mental health concerns of their parishioners. This has evolved into a long-standing initiative where faith leaders and liaisons of all churches come together on a regular basis to discuss challenges and solutions for preventing and addressing mental health and substance use concerns.

  • In efforts to make this a self-sustaining council, we are seeking leader-representatives as working committee members: A few things you would be responsible for are:

    • Help conduct a SWOT analysis of faith community and mental health needs

    • Help identify topics and set agenda for quarterly Faith Community Wellness Council meetings, in collaboration with other committee members

    • Serve as Mental Health Fauquier Ambassadors within your organization–as an eye and ear for mental health concerns and a link to resources and support

    • Attend six (every other month) steering committee meetings (in person or virtual) and help recruit speakers for our quarterly community-wide meetings

    • Promote and/or attend faith community events as they relate to mental health

    • Help review and evaluate current and future programs and/or assist with events

    • Someone with an interest in the intersectionality of mental health and spirituality/faith

    • Someone who welcomes and can engage with persons of all faith backgrounds

    • Current faith leaders and advocates for increased mental health access are highly encouraged

  • The Faith Community Wellness Council is currently led by Reverend Vinicent Holland.

    To be considered for the 2026 Steering Committee, please reach out to Rev. Vinicent Holland at viniholla@comcast.net.

    For more information about the Faith Community Wellness Council or Spiritual First Aid, please send an email to mhafc1@gmail.com.