This blog post has been the hardest piece to write. Putting words to my experience of mental illness is difficult enough itself. Capturing the ways the pandemic and lockdown parallel that internal struggle is even more elusive. The opportunity we have here, an experience that can help us understand the struggles of those with mental illness, is not one I want to overlook. Hopefully, we will never have a need for such a complete halt to the ordinary rhythms of life again.
This experience of lockdown and social distancing is perhaps like nothing our society has experienced before. Like pretty much everyone, I have good days and bad days with it. Days where I wish I was in lockdown alone or not working an essential job so I can be at home. Days where I am grateful to have a loving husband at home and that my job keeps me busy and doesn’t leave me with endless time to worry. Through it all I have tried to trust that this step is necessary and helpful.
There are many elements of life right now that echo the struggles of those with mental illness. The isolation. The uncertainty. The general anxiety. The overwhelm in trying to do simple tasks like grocery shopping or daily work. Adjusting to a new “normal” not knowing how long it will last. With one big exception: people with mental illness struggle alone.
Through this experience, there have been limitless opportunities for social connection via zoom, ideas for adapting to working and school at home, initiatives to get meals and groceries to those who need them most. Financial support is in the works for those who cannot work or have lost their jobs. There are endless spiritual resources, more online talks than one could possibly attend and the option for streamed Masses until we are able to gather again.
Of course, each person’s personal struggles wouldn’t spark the national and even global response that this pandemic has. That isn’t the goal of this parallel at all. But, what an opportunity to grow in understanding and solidarity!
The goal is simply solidarity.
The word is used often in our society. As Catholics though, it is an ideal we value particularly. All of us share a common humanity, despite any differences. The more one is aware of the value of each life, which is made even more evident by the story of God’s love and salvation, the more we are pulled to unite with the experience of those around us. We believe in a God who draws close to us. Who sent his Son to walk among us. I think one of the best stories to learn about how we can walk with those struggling is that of Jesus walking with the disciples at Emmaus.
“Jesus Himself drew near.”
In their grief, in their isolation, in their confusion and high emotions.
“Jesus Himself drew near.”
He ate with them, and brought comfort to them.
“Jesus Himself drew near.”
As we leave lockdown and our own isolation, let us draw near to those still suffering.