Right now we are in the midst of the National Mental Health Awareness Week.
If
I close my eyes momentarily and envision the many many people I know
who unwantingly face the rigors of mental health fluctuations in their
lives, I am overcome by their courage and fortitude. Their lives are hard to live. At a funeral I
attended yesterday, the speaker said, "Life is good until it isn't."
Perhaps a simple statement, but it describes so well the experience of a
person encountering the unpredictable winds and waves of what you might
call "mind storms". It is like the weather patterns that all are so
familiar with. Even the experienced weatherperson can't seem to predict
the ebb and flow of sun and cloud or precipitation or temperatures. The
severity of storms are beyond knowing, until they shake and pound and
cause you to run for cover. The person with mental health storms
likewise, are pummeled by the unpredictable trauma of inner torment or
anxiety or depression or fear or sounds and sights and grief and despair
that overwhelm the circuitry of their operational control panel.
Naturally occurring chemical imbalances temporarily stabilized by
medications hold back the tides until their bodily chemistry like our
immune systems evolve to reduce the benefit of their treatment. The
quest to start again with new dosages or new medications interact
differently with each patient, some good, some bad. In the meantime
those dear folk try to live and function with their lives in turmoil and
upheaval in expected normalcy. Most of us barely function with a cold
or flu that hits us with short term symptoms for a few days once in a
while. The contagious nature of these known ailments are cause or us to
take time off from work with the sympathy and thankfulness of our fellow
staff. Those with emerging mental health storms that outwardly are
pretty much invisible to others are at a disadvantage in being
understood by their peers and colleagues. They simply are misunderstood.
They are marginalized because society as a whole is far from
empathetic; operating on efficiency, productivity and expectations of
normalcy.
Some are unable to function within society. Yesterday,
I was touring a new Board member through the church owned Bill McMurray
residence in Toronto. We house and provide compassionate care for 84
residents, all marginalized members of society. A very high % of these
individuals are encountering mental health trauma in their lives which
has impacted them for decades with untold losses. How proud I am of this program
reflecting Mission at its best, in the unending 24/7 care provided to
these dear folks. Mission is not easy. There are many challenges and
hurdles in managing a residence of care for those marginalized in
society. I would encourage everyone to become familiar with this program
at Bill McMurray which falls under the umbrella of our non-profit
Sionito Corporation which has 3 other buildings in Toronto and London
all managed by church volunteer Boards. Our website is
www.sionito.ca Compassion,
empathy, love and acceptance of different ways of life expressions in
people we meet, live and work with is what we need to build awareness of
this week. We all live in the bounties of grace whether we acknowledge
its presence in our lives or not. Relating to others as we want to
experience acceptance, love and understanding is the golden rule of
compassion. Let us remember the imagery of storms as the unpredictable
reality of mental heath fluctuations. May we become one measure of
peaceful loving stability in the lives of those who encounter these
extended unknown periods of breakdown in the circuitry of their lives.
submitted by Kerry
Very well said, Kerry. Thank you. It is also true that most Christians frequently do not know how to deal with people who are experiencing mental health issues, and therefore frequently prefer to simply avoid. This further marginalizes people who may really need someone to be a friend.
ReplyDeleteCarman