Call for contributions: Spring 2026 issue on theology and mental health

Posted on 2025-09-24

For our Spring 2026 issue, we invite contributions (articles, academic interviews, theological reflections, creative compositions such as poetry and creative writing) that explore the intersections of theology and mental health.

According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Scotland is currently facing a mental health “crisis”. Rising economic, material, and social pressures have led to increased mental health referrals, yet cuts to government funding and enduring social stigma remain significant barriers. This important issue requires urgent biblical and theological reflection as well as perspectives from pastoral care, counselling, and psychology that explore a range of intersections and experiences.

Areas of interest may include, but are not limited to:

  • Theological perspectives or biblical narratives/themes that related to mental illness, suffering, lament, healing/resilience, etc
  • Mental health and intersectional issues including (but not limited to) race, gender/gender identity, sexuality, neurodiversity, disability
  • Pastoral care and counseling in the age of rising mental health concerns
  • The integration of Christian spirituality with psychological therapies
  • The ethical implications of merging theological and psychological approaches
  • Case studies on faith-based mental health interventions or the role of faith communities in supporting mental health
  • Cross-cultural and interfaith perspectives on theology and mental health

This call is open to academics, practitioners, students, clergy, counsellors, theologians, psychologists, and others whose work engages with any part of this vital topic.

Please send proposals/article abstracts (250 words maximum) to the Editor at editortisjournal@gmail.com. The deadline for proposal/abstract submissions is 1st November 2025. If accepted, the deadline for the final version of the article/contribution will be 10th March 2026. Further instructions on submitting to Theology in Scotland can be found here.