Jamie Deering, Area Connector for Mental Health.

The Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area recently welcomed Jamie Deering as the new Mental Health Connector for the Area. This role is designed to help local churches build emotional health ministries, curate resources, and support the well-being of clergy and laity.

Deering has deep experience in teaching and contemplative practices. “I’ve been leaning into these different aspects of how we engage in the conversation that is always forming with God,” said Deering. “This means, how do we connect more deeply with each other, how do we respond to our callings, and how do we understand who God is.”

She is particularly interested in using the “observer” technique to help emotionally regulate our mental health. “Life and anxiety can be a distraction from the grounding of knowing God is with us,” noted Deering. “Being an observer of our thoughts gives us the ability to fill the space between a stimulus and response, giving us self-awareness. A negative feeling or a thought is just that, a feeling or a thought, and stepping back, being the observer of that gives us the pause to say ‘oh’—and better control our reality.” 

In her free time, Jamie enjoys paddling in Minnesota.

She is interested in the intersection of mental and spiritual health, and excited to work with clergy and lay leaders to explore what they are seeing in their congregations and lives. Deering is deeply connectional and looks forward to working across groups and churches. “I have led groups and retreats, and one of the things that interests me is getting on Zoom to form connections. Many churches are doing similar things and may not know it. I want to connect them.”

People across our Area have seen a surge in mental and emotional health needs over the past few years, making this work more urgent than ever. We welcome Jamie and know that her experience in mental health strategies will help provide tools to address depression, stress, and anxiety within a life-giving spiritual framework.