Holy Week is so much about the hope and healing available in Christ. So what better time to share with you some of the highlights on the Church’s latest document on mental health and illness? The letter was written May 2018 by the California Conference of Bishops and, in my opinion, perfectly sums up the stance each and every Catholic should have towards those suffering from mental illness. In this time of uncertainty, as we experience a global pandemic, we can assume afterwards that among many of the struggles we will face once this part of the crisis is passed, is an increase in mental illness. This event is traumatic for many, some of us will recover just fine and some will have ongoing anxiety. The period of social distancing and fear of the Coronavirus is likely to exacerbate current mental illnesses and activate new ones. The bishops center their message on the truth that all Christians are called to continue the healing ministry of Christ through their actions. In the Gospel accounts we see Christ demonstrate love for the poor, those excluded from society, the outcasts. This preferential treatment of the poor and ill that the Church holds dear should extend to those who have mental illness. The letter is worth reading in its entirety, and you can do that here: https://www.cacatholic.org/hope_and_healing In this space, I will just share some quotes on a few key points, for your reflection.
Reflection on our own sufferings:
“A psychiatrist recounts the case of a married Catholic woman with several children and grandchildren, who had suffered from both life-threatening breast cancer and from severe depression. She once told him that, if given the choice, she would choose cancer over the depression, since the depression caused her more intense suffering. Though she had been cured of cancer, she tragically died by suicide related to her severe depression.”
Think of the sufferings in your own life: injuries, loss of loved ones, illness, heartbreaks, anxieties, periods of isolation. Which ones were the most painful? What did others do that was helpful? What would have eased your suffering but wasn’t offered?
Call to Reduce Stigma in the Church:
“Mental illness is neither a moral failure nor a character defect. To suffer from a psychiatric disorder is not a sign of insufficient faith or weakness of will. Christian faith and religious practice do not immunize a person against mental illness.”
“We profess that every human life is sacred, that all people are created in the image and likeness of God and, therefore, a person’s dignity and worth cannot be diminished by any condition, including mental illness. We believe all baptized persons have unique gifts to offer and have a place in the Church, the body of Christ.”
Who do I view as less than myself?
When I realize that a person has limits on social commitments or their ability to work because of mental illness do I view them differently?
Would I judge those working in the Church differently if I knew they were struggling with mental illness?
How do I internally recognize the sacredness of the people around me? How can I better act on that belief externally?
Call to Action:
“Persons with mental illness often suffer in silence, hidden and unrecognized by others. Consider this stark contrast: a person with a medical illness, such as cancer, will usually receive an outpouring of sympathy and support from their parish and community; a person diagnosed with a mental illness – such as depression, crippling anxiety, or bipolar disorder – frequently experiences isolation and inadequate support, often because of the unjust social stigma of mental illness.”
“This needs to be a ministry of presence and accompaniment – an ongoing effort to seek out and engage those who suffer wherever they are found. It is also a work of education and learning – of seeing, hearing and understanding the experiences of those who suffer.”
How could we put this ‘ministry of presence and accompaniment” in action? I have a few, but far from an exhaustive list, ideas:
Meal trains when someone is struggling. Making this common practice as a parish without always publicly sharing the reason.
Sending thinking of you note cards or random texts to friends you know are having a hard time.
Offer to do specific tasks for them. You might not know what is difficult, but it can be impossible for someone who is depressed or otherwise struggling. Some possibilities to help: grocery shop for them, offer to come do dishes/laundry/tidy, if they have children, offer to entertain the littles so the parent can get alone time, etc.
Asking if there are steps in their psychological care that are difficult to do alone that you can help with: helping them sort through potential therapists, being with them when they call a provider, driving them to an appointment, etc.
Letting them know you are there for them, that they are not a burden (do not say this unless you mean it though! Authenticity matters a lot!)
Offering to “virtually” hang out or come to them if a friend has been flaking on plans a lot. Whether you know if they have a mental illness or not, flaking can often be a sign of overwhelm and/or isolating.
Let them vent. It can be overwhelming to sit alone with thoughts and feelings shaped by mental illness. Having someone just listen can be a significant relief.