LISTENING IN THE PANDEMIC TO THOSE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
This week the UK has been shining a light on Mental Health by marking Mental Health Awareness Week. Organized by the Mental Health Foundation, it has as its theme “Kindness”. At a time when people with mental health issues are, on top of this, facing social distancing restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, carrying out a deliberate act of
kindness towards someone could
make a huge difference.
Having prominent people, like the Duke of Cambridge, who has recently invited famous sportspeople to talk about their own mental health problems has helped to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness, and might give others the courage to come forward and express the difficulties they are experiencing themselves. We can talk about physical illness, broken arms and broken legs, but perhaps we haven’t got the vocabulary to talk about when we’re broken mentally. We’re having to learn a new language to
speak with more confidence about the nature of mental illness.
There are lots of mental health tips being shared at the moment. The ideas below (based on advice from the Mental Health Foundation) are intended to give a start in this Pandemic period and beyond it. Whatever we can manage, and that feels OK,
is good enough.
1. TRY TO DO THE BASICS WHEN YOU CAN - Eating, sleeping, moving (either inside or outside), keep hydrated. Build a routine.
2. TRY TO ACCEPT THAT YOU ARE WORTHY OF SUPPORT It’s hard to ask for help; try to be kind to yourself, and recognise that you deserve assistance should you need it. Health services such as your GP and pharmacy are still operating. Don’t suffer in silence.
3. TRY TO BUILD A CIRCLE OF SUPPORT Could someone help with your shopping if you feel unable? Could you and a friend text each other every day to see how you both are? Being able to connect with people online or on the phone can be really helpful. Could you help someone else out with "technology" know-how - shopping online, paying bills, etc? If you have skills you could share, then consider doing that if you can.
4. TRY TO LEAN ON YOUR EXPERIENCES OF COPING IN THE PAST You might have surprised yourself in the past with what you’ve been able to manage. It’s time to remember those times and use that learning. Do something creative. Switch those coping mechanisms back on.
5. TRY TO EXPRESS YOURSELF You could keep a private journal or blog, carry a notebook, or use social media or creative arts. Keep a note of things for which you are grateful; things you're finding useful in this unusual time.
6. TRY TO LIMIT YOUR EXPOSURE TO THE NEWS The news is all about coronavirus; it's worrying, and this may add to your stress.
7. TRY TO BE IN THE MOMENT Many of us have things in our past which affect the way we live our lives now. Many of us also worry about how things in the future will pan out. Both are important, but - it might never happen! Take it one day at a time.
8. TRY TO BE A PART OF YOUR COMMUNITY AND HELP, IF ABLE If you are feeling up to it, there may be things you can do in the community to help out - especially if you are at home. Walking a neighbour’s dog, checking on a neighbour, giving to a food-bank, helping to deliver food or volunteering for local initiatives...
……...………. ...GIVE SOMETHING BACK AND GET BACK ON TRACK.
NOVENA PRAYERS
IN THIS TIME OF PANDEMIC
✠ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
WE THANK GOD FOR THE GIFT OF THIS DAY
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
WE ASK MARY TO PRAY WITH US :
….ask her to pray with you for particular individuals, especially for those who do not know her Son.
Hail, Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee,
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners, now,
and at the hour of our death.
A PRAYER FOR PEACE IN OUR WORLD
…and may there be peace within me….
The Universal Prayer for Peace
Satish Kumar
Lead me from death to life,
from falsehood to truth. Lead me from despair to hope,
from fear to trust. Lead me from hate to love,
from war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts,
our world, our universe, Peace, Peace, Peace…..
(a time for silent prayer)
Loving God, strengthen our innermost being with your love
that bears all things even the weight of this global pandemic
even the endurance of watching for symptoms
of patiently waiting for this to pass watching while we pray,
keeping our gaze fixed on you,
and looking out for our neighbours near and far.
Instil in our shaken souls the belief and hope
that all things are possible
with your creative love for strangers to become friends
for science to source solutions
for resources to be generously shared
so everyone, everywhere, may have what they need.
May your perfect love that knows no borders
cast out any fear and selfishness that divides.
May your love that never ends
be our comfort, strength and guide
for the wellbeing of all and the glory of God.
Jesus prayed to His Father for the coming of God’s Kingdom.
With Him we say:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory; for ever and ever. Amen.
TODAY'S PARAPHRASE OF THE LORD'S PRAYER
Loving God, Source of all that is, and that shall be,
the hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings;
your commonwealth of peace, freedom and justice
sustain our hope and be realized on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,
now and for ever. Amen.
(Jim Cotter)
Let us bless the Lord;
and may the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, ✠ rest in peace and rise in glory.
Thanks Phil