On May 24, 2025, the Christian Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) proudly hosted its 3rd Annual Virtual Mental Health Symposium, bringing together faith leaders, mental health professionals, and community members from across the globe for a powerful day of education, reflection, and healing. With 218 unique participants from regions including Jamaica, Australia, Canada, Nigeria, Ethiopia, the UK, and across the United States, the symposium became a global conversation centered on faith, mental health, and healing.
Participants collectively spent a total of 31,560 minutes in the meeting, with each person attending for an average of 144 minutes—that’s over two hours of intentional engagement per attendee!
🙏 A Faithful Beginning
Dr. Atasha Jordan opened the day with a warm welcome and powerful message: “A Faithful Beginning: Welcoming You to the Journey of Whole-Person Wellness.” In this opening segment, she laid the spiritual foundation for the day, centering the experience on God’s desire for us to thrive in every dimension of life. She encouraged attendees to prepare their hearts for transformation and to engage fully with the journey ahead.
In her first full session, “Living Fully: Embracing the 8 Dimensions of God-Given Wellness,” Dr. Jordan walked us through the biblical and practical components of holistic health — emotional, physical, spiritual, social, intellectual, environmental, financial, and occupational. Her engaging presentation reminded us that caring for all areas of our lives is not only wise but also worshipful.
Holistic and Emotional Health
The symposium then transitioned into exploring the intersection of holistic health and emotional healing. Rachel Ann, a life coach and counselor, led the next session titled “Mind, Body, Spirit: God’s Vision for Holistic Wellbeing.” Through the lens of faith, culture, and clinical insight, she encouraged participants to become grounded in their identities while healing from generational and emotional wounds. Her session emphasized how wholeness requires intentional alignment with God’s truth.
Following Rachel, Toni LaShaun offered a deeply moving testimony in “From Pain to Peace.” She shared how her journey through personal struggles, including singleness and divorce, became a source of strength, inspiration, and purpose through Christ. Her story reminded us that vulnerability is not weakness—it is a doorway to healing.
Brittany Harvey, LMSW, continued the momentum with “Anxiety to Alignment,” a session filled with practical strategies for reducing stress and embracing God’s promises. Drawing from her years of experience as a wellness consultant, Brittany encouraged attendees to reclaim their peace by combining therapeutic tools with faith-based practices.
This emotional health segment concluded with a rich panel discussion titled “Breaking Stigma, Building Strength.” Moderated by Danielle, the panel featured mental health leaders including Dr. Chinwe Erike, Katie Piura, Kyle Spears, Toni LaShaun, and Brittany Harvey. They discussed the urgent need for stigma-free support in churches and shared stories that humanized mental health struggles, inviting attendees to cultivate more compassionate, Christ-centered communities.
Worship and Spiritual Reflection
Worship became a healing practice through music and meditation. Toni LaShaun returned to offer a special worship segment, performing her original song “Strength To Soar.” The moment served as a sacred pause for reflection and praise, bridging the emotional and spiritual spaces of the day.
Next, Cynthia Newland guided attendees through a meditative spiritual practice grounded in Philippians 4:8-9. Her session, “Be Still: Meditating on God’s Word for Inner Renewal,” invited participants to slow down, breathe deeply, and realign their thoughts with divine truth. As a minister, movement specialist, and health coach, Cynthia brought a unique blend of scripture and embodied healing to this powerful moment.
Physical Wellness and Faith
Following a short midday break, the focus turned toward the body. Cynthia Newland returned with an energizing movement session and presentation titled “Caring for the Body: Honoring God Through Physical Wellness.” She reminded us that honoring our bodies is not just about health goals — it’s about worship. With practical tools for daily living and faith-based encouragement, she demonstrated how believers can steward their physical wellness for God’s glory.
Social Health and Community Restoration
In the final major block, speakers turned their attention to the relationships that shape our lives. Pastor Vada Hedgeman opened the session with a deep reflection on isolation and the ways it affects believers emotionally and spiritually. Drawing from both his personal journey and pastoral leadership, he offered insight into how churches can better embrace those feeling disconnected.
Pastor Sadik Aboagye followed with a powerful presentation on Addiction: Its Impact on the Church and Society. He discussed how addiction can erode communities and emphasized the redemptive role the church can play in supporting those in recovery. His biblical insight and lived wisdom offered a path toward grace, accountability, and transformation.
This segment closed with a live Q&A moderated by Vanessa, where attendees asked heartfelt questions and received thoughtful, scripture-centered responses from both pastors. The open dialogue created space for reflection, healing, and practical next steps.
Breakouts and Closing Reflections
As the day came to a close, participants were invited into breakout rooms for prayer, worship, resource sharing, and meaningful conversation. Whether it was in the Virtual Hallway, the Worship Room, or the Mental Health Resources group, each space provided a unique opportunity to connect, reflect, and discern the next steps. Dr. Jordan returned to close out the event with gratitude and encouragement, reminding everyone that wellness is not a one-time goal — it’s a lifelong, Spirit-led journey.
📈 By the Numbers
- 218 unique attendees
- 31,560 minutes of combined participation
- Average attendance time: 144 minutes per person
- Global reach: Participants joined from over 25+ countries and states
Countries & Regions Represented: Jamaica, Australia, Canada, Dominica, Ethiopia, England, Philippines, Egypt, Taiwan, India, Bermuda, Nigeria, United States (including New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, California, Florida, Wisconsin, Alabama, Mississippi, Atlanta), Kingdom of Eswatini, and more.
CMHI extends heartfelt thanks to the generous sponsors of the 3rd Annual Virtual Mental Health Symposium. Their invaluable support made it possible to reach and uplift countless lives through faith-centered mental health education and meaningful community connection. CMHI is deeply grateful for their partnership and continued commitment to advancing the mission of healing, hope, and wholeness.
🙏 What’s Next: Stay Connected with CMHI
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us in creating a sacred space to explore mental health through a Christian lens. But this is just the beginning. You can continue to engage with our mission in the following ways:
📖 Read More Blogs — Discover tools, testimonies, and teachings on integrating faith and mental health: Visit the CMHI Blog
🎁 Support the Mission — Every donation helps us expand our resources and reach more hearts: Donate to CMHI
🛍️ Shop “Jesus + Therapy” Merch — Wear your message proudly and support faith-based healing: Shop Now
📺 Watch the Full Symposium on YouTube, Catch up on any sessions you missed, or share them with friends: Watch Here
Together, we heal. Together, we rise.
Stay in faith,
The CMHI Team
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True healing happens when we align mind, body, and spirit. ♀️