The Agora Network story began with a crisis – a mental health and spiritual crisis that founder Allan Gallant suffered in his life.

On July 7th, 2017 in a split second Allan’s life changed when he suffered a severe stroke, but God protected his body. The only paralysis he suffered was in his speech. After a month of recovery and learning to speak again, he began the hardest battle of his life, a battle with mental health – PTSD, severe anxiety, and depression. Allan thought if this was his new normal then he didn’t want to live. He was admitted into a mental health unit for 10 days where he began to recover mentally and spiritually. The road was long and hard at times but God’s goodness led to repentance and the ongoing restoration of his soul. From crisis, Agora Network Ministries was born and a new journey began in ministry for Allan and his wife Bonnie.

Agora Network Ministries provides resources that meaningfully engage the topics of faith and mental health. Their content is developed in collaboration with theologians, psychologists, and people who live with their own mental health challenges. These resources prepare communities of faith to raise awareness, reduce stigma, support mental health, and promote mental wellbeing. For more details on Agora Network Ministries, visit agoranetworkministries.com

The workshop will be comprised of 2 sections:

1. Suicide Prevention – The purpose of this Suicide Prevention Seminar is to provide attendees with an awareness of those who may be at risk of suicide and how to engage them. The hope is that you will leave the seminar better equipped to recognize, and with confidence engage in the difficult conversation with people who are considering suicide as an option to their problems. Suicide is a long-term answer to what probably is a short-term problem. Come here how we, the church, can be prepared – ready to bring hope and healing to those who feel worthless and hopeless. Teacher – Bart Campbell.
2. Mental Wellness and The Church – This seminar will unpack 5 essential steps to become a church that is moving toward mental wellness. The church has a moral and spiritual obligation to help those struggling within their walls. That means it is necessary that we understand the mental wellness conversation and stigma and break the silence. The church must provide mental wellness services so many inside the church will be able to renew their minds and find hope and healing. Teacher – Allan Gallant.