Resolved, That the 81st General Convention amend Canon I.1.2.n by adding a new subsection 6 thereto, to read as follows:

I.1.2.n

6. A Standing Commission on Human Health and Wellness. It shall be the duty of the Commission to

i. Develop and recommend policies, strategies, programs, and resources to the General Convention and the Episcopal Church that support and strengthen the church’s ministry with all God’s people as they seek to maintain and improve their physical, mental, spiritual, relational, and emotional health.

ii. Coordinate the development of resources to strengthen human flourishing and to support ministries of hope and healing of both physical and mental health.

iii. Facilitate the development of basic skills among all members of the church for care, support, inclusion, and advocacy for people wrestling with physical and mental health challenges.

iv. Develop and oversee training for all clergy and key lay leaders in mental health ministry.

v. Draw together the insights, best practices, and resources developed by varied Church bodies to address matters of human health and wellness, including work done on ministry in relation to substance use, suicide prevention, trauma and recovery, neurodivergence, developmental disability, challenges in aging, pain, and chronic illness, and to strengthen the response of faith communities in partnership with broad-based and local organizations.

vi. Expand resources and encourage practices of ministry that support mental and physical health, assist faith communities to establish habits and structures of welcome, inclusion, encouragement, empowerment, and advocacy for persons of all ages facing mental, physical, relational, emotional, and spiritual health challenges, and provide helpful aids for healthy living.

vii. Collaborate with other commissions, ecumenical partners, invested experts, and public agencies and organizations to create optimal resources and trainings.

viii. Collaborate in seeking of funding sources and grants, and in deployment of funds, that support training for clergy, lay leaders, and faith communities.

ix. Partner with other Church bodies in education and advocacy about social and economic conditions that either strengthen or harm human health and wellness, such as access to housing, healthy food, education, work with dignity, and health services, as well as freedom from violence, stigma, and racism.

x. Oversee the creation and content review of a sustained web presence that provides a gateway through links to robust resources for support and advocacy for human health and wellness.

xi. Direct curriculum on mental health ministry for clergy, postulants, and lay leaders, in consultation with the Standing Commission on Formation and Ministry Development and other Church partners as appropriate.

xii. Coordinate with networks and initiatives related to health and wellness both within and beyond the Episcopal Church, including but not limited to the Assembly of Episcopal Healthcare Chaplains, Allies for Recovery in the Episcopal Church, the Union of Black Episcopalians, the Episcopal Community Service in America, CREDO, St. Francis Ministries, the Interfaith Network on Mental Illness, NAMI’s FaithNet, Lutheran Family Services, and varied faith-based wellness programs.

And be it further.

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance to allocate $75,000 to fund the work of the Standing Commission for the 2024-2027 triennium.