Is there any hope when I am in the pit of depression and anxiety?
Join us for an evening with author Chris Cipollone as he shares his personal story and perspective on the intersection of Christianity and mental health.
Schedule
7:15 pm – Arrive
7:30 pm – Welcome & speaker intro
7:40 pm – Main talk
8:20 pm – Introducing the Panel
8:30pm — Interactive Q&A via Slido #downnotout
9:00 pm – Supper & book shop
9:30 pm – Finish
Chris Cipollone is passionate about connecting faith to our everyday life experiences.
He is an author and speaker who has served in pastoral ministry for over 10 years in a local church.
Chris’ heart is to bring real faith for real life — speaking to the issues of our day in a way that is understandable, practical and theologically robust.
He is an entrepreneur at heart who has also worked in property, which now funds much of the ministry he does. He is currently working on his second book, which he hopes to release in 2024.
Q&A Panel Members
Miriam Chan is an engaging and highly-skilled accredited mental health social worker, counsellor and supervisor. Miriam currently works as a counsellor at the University of Sydney and in private practice in Burwood at New Leaf Centre. She has worked in hospital settings, Family Support Services, and on four university campuses in the roles of chaplain and counsellor. Miriam has conversational Cantonese and Mandarin and she has been a cross-cultural worker. Miriam is a wife and mum to two high schoolers and is keen to help people find hope in the face of mental health afflictions.
Nicky Fortescue has been in church pastoral ministry alongside her husband, Nigel, for coming up to 30 years. Through her personal experience of depression, Nicky discovered Bowen Family Systems Theory — a theory describing how humans function in their relationships. Nicky has learnt that by being observant, curious and knowing a bit of theory, she has options in how she shows up in her relationships which subsequently helps reduce and manage her symptoms. She is passionate about sharing her understanding of Bowen Family Systems Theory by encouraging others to be observant and curious themselves.