Creating spaces where youth can talk about mental health and faith.
Mental health challenges in youth are prevalent and on the rise: depression and anxiety among young people doubled since the pandemic in the US. One in five young people in the UK will experience a mental health challenge. Over 1.5 million youth in Canada live with a mental health challenge. 

We believe there is a vital need for youth to be able to talk about mental health and receive support and companionship in their faith communities. At Sanctuary, our hope is that the next generation will experience the Church as a supportive place, and that youth ministry leaders, parents/caregivers, and youth will all be equipped to have conversations about mental health. This is why we have developed The Sanctuary Youth Series.

About the series
The Sanctuary Youth Series is centered on the pressing questions that young people are asking about faith and mental health. It provides space to engage these questions and start important conversations in youth ministries and church communities. 

In the summer of 2020, we conducted a global study and asked young people what they want to know about mental health and faith. In conjunction with additional research, this study enabled us to identify the issues youth are grappling with today.

Questions that emerged include:
- What’s good about mental health? 
- What does the Bible say about mental health? 
- Why do I feel this way? 
- What happens when we talk about mental health challenges? 
- If you have a mental health challenge, can you get better?
- How can I help my friend?
- What can I do to take care of my mental health?

The Sanctuary Youth Series, designed for students eleven to fifteen years of age, explores each of these questions, drawing on insights from mental health professionals, theologians, youth pastors, and evidence-based research. This educational and interactive resource also features the voices of young Christians with lived experiences of mental health challenges in the films that accompany each session.

The course is designed to reduce stigma, increase awareness within faith communities, increase positive attitudes towards help-seeking and mental health care, and prepare students for a faith journey that includes seasons of flourishing and languishing.

The Sanctuary Youth Series includes:
Eight Films: Each session includes a short educational film featuring dynamic presenters, the lived experience story of a young Christian, a panel of youth discussing the lived experience story, and several discussion questions.
A Facilitation Guide: Beyond helpful tips for facilitating the series, the facilitation guide for youth ministry leaders also includes instructions for all games and exercises, as well as information on safeguarding and referrals.
A Parent and Caregiver's Guide: This informational document for parents and caregivers outlines key teaching points from each session and equips families with information and resources to continue the mental health conversation with their young person at home.

More resources related to this course, including transcripts and promotional materials, can be found here.

Parent and Caregiver's Welcome Letter

Disclaimer:
The purpose of The Sanctuary Youth Series is to raise awareness and reduce stigma by starting conversations about mental health in faith communities. Consequently, The Sanctuary Youth Series is intended for educational purposes only and the information provided is not a substitute for medical or therapeutic advice. If you feel you may need medical advice, please consult a qualified health care professional.

The films included in The Sanctuary Youth Series capture the experiences of young people in their own words. The views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers and do not always represent the views of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries.

The Sanctuary Youth Series does not contain graphic content, but it does address sensitive topics. This resource is recommended for use with students eleven to fifteen years of age.

Copyright:
The Sanctuary Youth Series. Copyright © 2025 by Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries.
Some rights reserved. The Sanctuary Youth Series may be downloaded, printed, and photocopied for any non-commercial uses, so long as copyright is acknowledged in each instance. For any uses not expressly permitted above, including creating derivative works or incorporating The Sanctuary Youth Series into other media, please contact Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries to request written authorization. Unauthorized use of The Sanctuary Youth Series is strictly prohibited. | Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries | PO Box 20147 Fairview, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 0C1 | www.sanctuarymentalhealth.org | First Edition | Scripture quotations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | The materials contained in The Sanctuary Youth Series may contain third-party content that is not owned by Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries but is being used with permission (including stock photographs, footage, music, typefaces, etc.). The spoken word poem, “The First Step,” by Guvna B is owned entirely by Guvna B, and is licensed to Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries.