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August 19, 2023Taking Care of Ourselves, Taking Care of One Another: Mental Health and Emotional Support . . .
Since the beginning of recorded time, human beings have written about, spoken about and lamented over suffering, evil, and other negative forces in the world. People have pondered ways to address and to cope with these situations and have turned to many sources including religion to search for explanation, coping techniques and management strategies. Suffering is defined as an aversive experience involving severe distress (Callahan). Suffering is highly individual but yet occurs in a societal and cultural context. A major feature of suffering in our contemporary world is its pervasiveness that can affect our mental and emotional health in a deep way. Often we see the unnecessary aspect of human beings’ inhumanity to one another -- the suffering and pain born of he search for worldly power, human greed, exploitation, oppression, the hurt in estranged relationships, child abuse, violence perpetrated on others and other injustices.
The suffering and stresses that affect our mental and emotional health are universal conditions experienced by all humans. We all experience the realities of life in this world, with its pain, cruelty, illness, violence, accidents, bereavement, torture, emotional and physical assaults, and death (Wright). Some of our education about the suffering in the world comes not only from our painful experiences but from observing the difficulties and struggles of others. Henri Nouwen, a Dutch theologian and writer provided insights and knowledge about the mental health and emotional anguish accompanying the sufferings of various friends, family members, and community persons as they journeyed their paths of loss, by reliving his own near fatal accident. Yes, suffering is a universal experience that is fueled in the mind, body, and soul not only by our own suffering but by those painful happenings to the “other” in our lives.
As we look around our world today and experience the stresses, the challenges and the sorrows of everyday life, many in the mental health fields in psychology, social work, counseling for adults and children and family therapy, believe that we are in crisis mode when dealing with the psychological and emotional needs of many. Our faith helps us tremendously in coping with the traumas and stressors of daily existence. Receiving the Sacraments strengthens us and provides us hope. And, Scripture passages such as those depicting support to one another, enable us to realize the value of the Lord working through and among us. For example, the Blessed Mother, Mary, at her young age and with child, left all behind and went in haste to the help her elderly cousin, Elizabeth, also with child. They both taught us a lesson about life that provided a foundation for social support. The story of the Visitation teaches us how the grace of God empowers all of us, young and old, no matter our conditions, to be God’s hands and the embrace of the Divine as we respond to God’s call in offering help and support to one another.
During times of need, we can encourage support or accept the support of others. God’s nearness is one of dramatic solidarity with humanity as we are used as instruments of God’s healing touch We become His hands of action as we minister to each other by bringing His love, compassion, support and hope to those put in our life’s path. Sometimes we may need the support of an outside, objective other to help us gain insight and direction. Individual or couples’ counseling, family therapy, and personal spiritual guidance can be so helpful. Sometimes, just listening to another’s story about their journey is a source of healing. This type of listening is the foundation of one of our ministries in our linked parish communities called Stephen Ministry about which you have heard at Mass and in an ongoing way in our bulletins and on our websites (see advertisement p. 2). Other times, we can raise awareness about serious mental health concerns to help others to prevent or deal with tragedies such as in the midst of the rise of teenage and adult suicide in various parts of our society (please see advertisement p. 2).
In addition, readable pamphlets such as those from CareNotes entitled “When Someone’s Suffering or Death Makes You Question Your Faith” and “How Faith Can Help When Bad Things Happen” are great resources to provide information and support during exceptionally difficult times. Additional sources of help are also provided in these booklets (www.carenotes.com) (see p. 2).
The above mentioned are samples of some ways that can help individuals, families, and/or communities that are in need of support during the vulnerable times in their lives.
In future bulletin messages, our parish family will share in other ways to help and offer some resources of support in dealing with mental, physical and spiritual vulnerabilities. Please let us know by contacting me at my residence (716-372-4841, X112 or [email protected] or [email protected]) or the parish offices (Basilica: Bonnie, 716-372-4841; St. John’s: Katie, 716-372-5313) if you have specific needs.
Note: In the near future, our linked parish faith communities will establish a Mental Health Team to help disseminate referrals and resources for our SouthernTier. More Information to come.
Blessings and His Supportive Love,
Fr. John
