We are More than Our Diagnoses

Drawing on decades of pastoral, academic, and clinical experience, Professor John Swinton guides students through a transformative theological reframing of mental health. You’ll explore conditions like depression, psychosis, bipolar disorder, dementia, and other complex human experiences not merely as problems to be solved, but as sites where presence, faithfulness, and slow love make true community possible. Cultivate a way of seeing and listening that honors the presence of Christ in the midst of psychological struggle.

In This Course You Will Be Invited To

•Evaluate assumptions about the relationship between faith and mental health.

•Listen to the experiences of those integrating faith and mental health.

•Examine the language used to discuss mental health.

•Articulate a broad definition of health.

•Consider ways to become sites of sanctuary and shalom in your community.

Course Outline

Consider the ways we describe reality, shalom as a paradigm for health, and the power of language in discussing mental health.

3 Lessons

• Life in All Its Fullness

• Healing Beyond Cure

• Naming Things Faithfully

Attend to the lived experiences of those with various mental health conditions to begin thinking theologically about mental health.

4 Lessons

• Finding Jesus in Depression

• A Theology of Psychosis

• Dementia and Restorative Presence

• Bipolar Faith

Over 2 Hours of Video Content
Reflection & Practice Activities
$29.99

Meet Your Instructor

John Swinton

Professor in Practical Theology

Dr. John Swinton is Professor in Practical Theology and Pastoral Care and Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen. For more than a decade, John worked as a registered mental health nurse. He also worked for a number of years as a hospital and community mental health chaplain alongside people with severe mental health challenges, and in 2004 he founded Aberdeen's Centre for Spirituality, Health and Disability. He has published widely within the areas of mental health, dementia, disability theology, end of life care, and pastoral care. His book, Dementia: Living in the Memories of God, won the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Ramsey Prize for excellence in theological writing. John is also a musician. You can find his album, Beautiful Songs About Difficult Things, online.

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Registered 501c3 non-profit organization

Courses developed for Admirato are made possible by the generous donations of people who support the Wisconsin Center for Christian Studies, Inc., a registered 501c3 non-profit organization. Tuition paid enables us to provide scholarships for those in need and allows us to fund new courses and translations of existing courses, and we are able to offer courses at significant discounts. Admirato is the online home for N.T. Wright Online courses and other resources developed by the Wisconsin Center for Christian Studies, Inc. Admirato exists as a legal entity under the umbrella of the Wisconsin Center for Christian Studies, Inc., and is considered part of the non-profit work according to the laws for 501c3 organizations.