Mental Health and Spiritual Support in Times of Permacrisis Wednesday, January 6 - Sunday, January 10, 2027 in Tallinn, Estonia
Welcome to join for the BIP on Mental Health and Spiritual Support in Times of
Permacrisis: Building Caring Communities in a Risk Society at the Estonian Free Church Theological Seminary in Tallinn. This five-day international training invites both the lecturers and students who attended in January 2026 in BIP focusing on mental health in faith communities as well as all newcomers joining the upcoming BIP in January 2027 BIP moving from understanding individuals to supporting communities under pressure. This is a chance to enlarge our godly vision and envision a broader human perspective on mental health issues relating to war, displacement, disasters, polarization, economic insecurity, and other forms of collective trauma.
Location: Estonian Free Church Theological Seminary, Koskla 18, Tallinn.
Dates: January 6 – 10
Teachers: Meego Remmel (KUS, Estonia), Adrian Sarbu (University of Bucharest, Romania), Karmen Maikalu (Estonia), and others
Course Fee: The cost is 135 euros (includes training, coffee breaks and one dinner.) For Erasmus participants the training is free of charge.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the programme participants will be able to:
- Explain how permanent crises affect individual and community mental health from psychological, spiritual and social perspectives.
- Demonstrate basic competencies in psychological first aid, spiritual care and supportive communication in risk societies.
- Design practical strategies for strengthening resilience and hope within churches, educational institutions and local communities.
Accommodation
We have secured a limited number of rooms at a fixed rate for 6–10 January 2027 at Kreutzwald Hotel in Tallinn.
How to book
- Email:
reserv@uhotelsgroup.com
- The booking keyword: Mention BIP (must be made by email only).
- Booking deadline:
20 December 2026
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PROGRAM
- Wednesday | January 6
– Arrival and Introduction
Theme: Hope in Times of Social Crisis
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Morning–Afternoon
International arrivals
Accommodation
Registration
Orientation
- 17:30–18:30 Dinner together
- 18:30–20:00 Opening Session: How Do Churches Matter in Times of Permacrisis?
– Opening worship
– Welcome from the Estonian Free Church Theological Seminary – Einike Pilli
– Introduction of participants & overview of the programme – Meego Remmel
– Panel: Mental Health, Faithful Church and Social Responsibility
– Speakers: Maire Latvala, Andrey Puzynin, Adrian Sarbu, Mihail Ciopasiu, Petri Patronen
- Thursday | January 7
Theme: Understanding Trauma and Community Resilience
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- 09:00–09:20 Morning devotion
- 09:20–11:00 Lecture(s): Trauma, Stress and Resilience in a Contemporary European Context
– Lecturers: Merike Sisask, Petri Patronen - 11:15–12:45 Seminar: Recognising Trauma Responses in Individuals and Communities
– Lecturer: Lars Widen - 13:00 Lunch
- 14:00–16:30 Study Visits
- 16:30–17:30 Reflection groups: what did we learn from today’s visit?
- 18:00 Dinner & free time
- Friday | January 8
Theme: Spiritual Care During Social Crisis
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- 09:00 Morning prayer
- 09:30–11:00 Dialogue: Psychological First Aid and Pastoral Presence
– Lecturers: Elina Kivinukk & Andrey Puzynin - 11:15–12:45 Workshops:
– Proclaiming the Resurrection in a Funeral Sermon – Milos Masarik
– Boundaries of pastoral care – Meego Remmel
– Referral to professionals – Adrian Sarbu
– Mental and spiritual challenges of the digital and AI world – Karmen Maikalu
– Deeper Walk practices – Andrey Puzynin
- 13:00 Lunch
Afternoon – Tallinn Cultural Programme
- 18:30 Round table dinners in regional-linguistic reflection groups
- 20:00 Free time
- Saturday | January 9
Theme: Building Caring and Resilient Communities
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- 09:00 Morning devotional
- 09:30–11:00 Mini-lectures: The Church as a Community of Hope
– Speakers: Andrey Puzynin, Mihail Ciopasiu, Kristiina Krabi, Ago Lilleorg - 11:00–12:45 International Roundtable
– participants from different countries present examples of churches serving in times of crises in society - 13:00 Lunch & free time
- 16:00–18:00 Workshops in regional-linguistic reflection groups
– How to:
1) design local mental and spiritual health initiatives?;
2) develop church support networks?;
3) respond to crises together? - 18:00 Dinner together
- 19:00–21:00 Closing Evening: Stories of hope
– Worship & Prayer
– Reports & Reflections – representatives of the regional-linguistic reflection groups
– Evaluation and Visioning
- Sunday | January 10
Theme: Sent to Serve
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- 11:00–13:00 Participation in worship services in Tallinn ja Harju county churches
Possible contributions:
– Scripture reading
– Testimony
– Music
– Prayer
– Short sermon or reflection
– Children’s message
– Assisting local congregations - 13:00 onwards departures to Tallinn Airport or toward homes on the road/rail
February 2027
Virtual component in Zoom (date and time to be agreed)
Required readings:
- Barker, Paul A., ed. 2019. Tackling Trauma: Global, Biblical, and Pastoral Perspectives. Carlisle: Langham Publishing.
Dual alternative:
- Brueggemann, Walter. 2014. Reality, Grief, Hope: Three Urgent Prophetic Tasks. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. 234.25 B889
- Koenig, Harold G. 2018. Religion and Mental Health. Research and Clinical Applications. Oxford: Academic Press.