THE VENERABLE DR JANE HEDGES, SUB-DEAN, CANON STEWARD AND ARCHDEACON OF WESTMINSTER ABBEY

In conversation with Canon Jane Hedges
by Tony Randall

Canon Jane Hedges became Canon Steward at Westminster Abbey in January 2006 a role which involves overseeing the welcome of over one and a quarter million visitors each year to the Abbey. She is also Archdeacon of Westminster and has recently been appointed Sub-Dean. 

One in four of us will at some point be affected by a mental health illness which means what ever faith or religion you are its likely you will come across a family member, friend or a work colleague who will experience this illness. But there is still unease and stigma that surrounds those who suffer from mental health in our society, so what about the church? are they welcoming and offer support and understanding or does that unease prevent them reaching out to those in need? Canon Jane speaks frankly about the churches role, whether spiritual care is more beneficial than medication and the role our MPs can play in the needs of those who suffer from mental health and more. 

TR : What is the Abbeys role when it comes to supporting people with mental health? 

JH : The Abbey doesn't have a specific role working with those with a mental health illness.It has a particular mission as the church serving the nation. Our mission statement is first to worship God then to serve the Royal Family ( as we are the Queen's church ), then pilgrims ( people who attend the Abbey ) and finally a place of learning. The welcoming of pilgrims would include reaching out to people who suffer from a mental health illness. We do take it very seriously but in reality it is a small part of our ministry. 

TR : Is there a case to say spiritual and pastoral care is more beneficial than medication prescribed by the doctor? 

JH : Religion can play an important role in the way we help people with a mental health illness. I was a chaplain in a hospital a long time ago and worked with a priest who had a great deal of experience in this area.He used to say religion can either be an integrating or disintegrating experience. Disintegrating in that sometimes people can get wrong notions about God judging or telling them to do something ( eg commit suicide ) Medication is part of God's gift. The spiritual comes alongside that, so the sacraments and medication together can treat the whole person. 

TR : Some people within the church community identify sin as a cause of illness, how can the church changes these attitudes especially towards mental health? 

JH : It is very important that the church teaches that any form of illness is not part of a punishment from God. All of us are sinful. All of us are in need of God's grace and forgiveness. What i have found to be true, though, is that people with some form of mental health illness can carry a large amount of guilt. People are much more aware nowadays about mental heath and there is a lot more education around the illness. The Abbey provides training for all our staff and there is a community health chaplain in Westminster who puts us in touch with services who can teach us the symptoms and signs of the illness. If we know someone is displaying signs of the illness we will contact the community health chaplain who will go and see that person. I have found that people with a mental health illness often go to church as it gives them peace and provides a haven. The church is a good place for that.

TR : Does the church welcome support from the mental health services and charities like, Mind, Time to change and Rethink? 

JH : It is very important for the Abbey to work with these charities and organisations who

support people with mental health as they have training and information we don't. It can be very easy for us and our staff to find ourselves out of our depth so it's a big help the professional organisations can advise us.

TR : Why do you think some people find those who suffer from a mental health illness scary or dangerous? 

JH : People unfortunately read stories in the press about bad incidents that have happened from those who suffer from a mental health illness. We need to educate people more so they have no need to be scared but should be reaching out to help in the healing process. 

TR : What are the churches views on those who take their own life?

JH : A long time ago the church has specific views on those who took their own life, but that has changed for the better, we would always view someone desperate in this way with compassion. 

TR : What role have our MPs got to ensure the mental health system is safe and does not fail people's needs?

JH : I feel quite strongly that mental heath should be given a priority in terms of Government funding but there are only finite resources available and cuts are happening everywhere. When i was in Southampton, many years ago, people were discharged from mental health institutions into the community where there wasn't enough support. We do need to plough more resources into this kind of care and we all need to take responsibility, not just our MPs. Also we need to acknowledge that health professionals bear a huge responsibility in deciding whether someone is well enough to be out in the community or should remain in care. Mental health is a very important issue and the church has a huge role to play in this supporting people.