Page 100 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 24

rests, entrenched systemic and power inequali- Seven Commitments
�es, na�onal sovereignty compromises, etc.
We know that there is much room for improve-
ment in organiza�ons, sectors, and the global
community’s efforts. The 2030 Agenda, Mental
Health Ac�on Plan, and One Hum anity, in our
view, are crucial rallying and guidance points to
truly make a difference regarding the horrific
condi�ons affec�ng so many fellow humans.
Engage with them!
Yet as Chris�ans in mental health, we also ack-
nowledge the undermining reality of evil and
human sin as well as the underlying reality of
God and His redemp�ve purposes in Jesus
Christ. We support human efforts to do good —
whether it be allevia�ng poverty among the
one billion urban slum dwellers An es�mated
1.1 billion people live in slums or informal se�-
lements lacking basic services, (United Na�ons
Department of Economic and Social Affairs,
2025) or protec�ng the millions of people living
in se�ngs exposed to violence and conflict. A
recent es�mate is about 1.1 billion people
“were within five kilometers of violent conflict
(ACLED, 2023), for example. We see these
efforts as the imago Dei at work within the mis-
sio Dei, regardless of whether one believes in
these things or not. Humans do good. However,
we think humans do be�er when they include
and honor God in the process. And more speci-
fically we think we can do much be�er at
“transforming our world” if God is included and
honored in our efforts and if we start with
transforma�on in our own hearts. The world
will not be a be�er, transformed place unless
be�er, transformed people make it so (O’Don-
nell and Lewis O’Donnell, 2015b).
100
Here are seven commitments that reflect many
of the values and direc�ons that we believe are
cri�cal for posi�vely impac�ng our world (O’
Donnell 2015c). They are especially relevant for
the work of Chris�an MHPs who seek to align
with the sustainable development, mental he-
alth, and humanitarian agendas featured in this
ar�cle.
Commitment 1. We commit to diligently pursue
our own journeys of personal and professional
growth—to grow deeply as we go broadly.
Commitment 2. We commit to integrate the in-
separable areas of our character (resilient vir-
tue) and competency (relevant skills) with com-
passion (resonant love).
Commitment 3. We commit to go into new are-
as of learning and work: crossing sectors, cultu-
res, disciplines, and comfort zones.
Commitment 4. We commit to embrace our
duty to work in difficult se�ngs, including tho-
se permeated by conflict, calamity, corrup�on,
and poverty as those in great need are o�en in
places of great risk.
Commitment 5. We commit to have clear ethi-
cal commitments and standards that guide our
work, respec�ng the dignity and worth of all
people.
Commitment 6. We commit to working with
others to promote wellbeing and sustainable
development, building the future we want and
being the people we need.
Commitment 7. We commit to base our work
on the prac�ce of fervently loving other peo-
ple—agape. This type of love is the founda�o-
nal mo�ve and the ul�mate measure of our
work as MHPs in the world.