The Spiritual Health Awareness Week 2024 was a resounding success, marked by a province-wide celebration and an official proclamation from Manitoba’s Minister of Health. The proclamation designated October 20–26, 2024, as Spiritual Health Awareness Week, recognizing the vital role of spiritual care in healthcare and beyond.
This milestone week included various events across the province, bringing together healthcare professionals, spiritual care practitioners, and communities to honor the importance of spiritual health. The Interfaith Healthcare Association of Manitoba (IHCAM), in collaboration with the Catholic Health Association of Manitoba (CHAM), hosted a highly engaging webinar series focused on this year’s theme: “Breaking the Myths.”
The IHCAM/CHAM webinar series offered an in-depth exploration of the critical role of spiritual care in healthcare settings, addressing misconceptions and highlighting its value in improving patient and community well-being. Each session featured expert insights from Spiritual Health practitioners working in healthcare, long-term care, mental health, and other fields.
Daily Webinar Highlights:
Day 1: Debunking the Myths: What Spiritual Care Really Is
Speaker: Tim Frymire
Day 2: Spiritual Care in Healthcare: An Essential but Overlooked Practice
Speaker: Chenene Layne, WRHA Regional Lead- Spiritual Health Chenene Layne
Day 3: Spiritual Health in Long-Term Care
Speaker: Michelle Thiessen
Day 4: Spiritual Care for Everyone: Addressing Diversity and Inclusion
Speaker: Rabbi Matthew Leibl
Day 5: The Power of Presence: How Spiritual Care Impacts Mental Health
Speaker: Andrew Terhoch Andrew Terhoch
The week saw vibrant celebrations across Manitoba, including:
Spiritual Health Awareness Week 2024 highlighted the transformative power of spiritual care in improving health outcomes and fostering community well-being. Through the webinars, province-wide events, and the official proclamation, IHCAM and CHAM underscored their commitment to advancing the recognition and integration of spiritual health in Manitoba.
For those who missed the webinars, recordings are available on the IHCAM YouTube channel. Visit YouTube Channel Link to explore the full series.
To stay updated on upcoming events and initiatives, visit ihcam.ca.