Mental Health:- makes you feel comfortable, you are not bowled over your own emotions – by your fears, anger, love, jealousy, guilt or worries, you can take life’s disappointments in their stride, you have a more tolerant easy-going attitude toward yourself as well as others, you can laugh at yourself, you will neither under-estimate nor over-estimate your abilities, you can accept your own shortcomings, you have self-respect, you enjoy a good esteem of yourself, you feel able to deal with most situations that come your way, you get satisfaction from the simple everyday pleasures. – J Maurus / Living Moments: Of Sunshine, Page 42.
I was particularly struck by this short reflection on Mental Health which I first read over a year ago. I wrote it down in my journal and have pondered on it many times since. Today there are many initiatives in Ireland aimed at supporting mental health and wellbeing at every level of society. There are various educational initiatives in our schools and there are many government funded programmes which focus on supporting people in maintaining their mental health through interventions such as mindfulness, practicing self-care, cultivating gratitude, building positive relationships and improving their resilience.
But many people still struggle with their mental health, particularly young people. Young lives in Ireland: A school based study of mental health and suicide prevention, pinpointed how young people in the 15-24 age bracket are the most important group to target in terms of reducing suicidal behaviour and improving mental health.[1]
I believe that religion can be a positive coping tool in helping young people to cope with distress in their life. Youth want to be listened to and understood, and they need to be accompanied and communicated to in their language, in exploring the spiritual dimension of their lives and their relationship with God. Pope Francis explained that “As adults, we find it hard to listen patiently to them, to appreciate their concerns and demands, and to speak to them in a language they can understand.”[2]
In my own journey of life, and my journey of faith, I have also journeyed with mental illness. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 20 so I having been living with the condition for over half of my life. Bipolar disorder is a treatable mental health condition marked by changes in mood, thought, energy, and behaviour. Thankfully I received a lot of support in managing my illness and I would attribute my recovery to holistic healing through medication, psychotherapy, occupational therapy and prayer.
My faith has been a hugely important support in help me in living with bipolar disorder and in striving to live a happy and fulfilled life. I truly believe in the presence of God in my life and in the healing power of Jesus in the Sacraments of the Catholic Church. The practice of mindfulness has been an important intervention for me, but the greater majority of my practice of mindfulness is expressed in the the form of contemplative prayer, particularly Eucharistic Adoration, through which I experience inner peace.
In my work with young people I have been open about my journey of life, the ups and the downs, and my journey of faith which led me to study theology in Rome and Maynooth and Chaplaincy in Dublin City University as a mature student. I always tell young people that God has a special and unique plan for each of them and my hope is that they are each encouraged to nurture their own individual gifts and talents. I am a big believer in striving to live life to the full. I have experienced some setbacks, but who hasn’t? God is good and with his help everything is possible – in God’s time.
I have learned to have patient trust with God in my healing journey and I also believe in the God of Surprises. Little did I know just over a year ago that I would be working in a full-time job with lovely people and with opportunity to use my gifts and enjoy the environs of my new work location. Little did I know last summer that I would be doing weekly guitar lessons and getting such therapeutic fulfillment from learning and playing Praise and Worship songs, which is another form of contemplative prayer. So these little surprises challenge me this Lent to have more Gratitude in my heart – to be content with what I do have rather than to be always seeking for more.
In that spirit I took some time of silent reflection on the eve of my birthday in the beautiful surrounds of Lough Ennell in County Westmeath. As I mindfully walked along the lakeshore I prayed the Rosary, a scripture-based prayer which ponders on the mysteries of the faith. I found solace and peace in the simplicity of nature as I circumferenced the lake aided by the ritual of quiet prayer. Being close to water I find relaxing and as the unexpected spring sunshine radiated on the reeds near the lakeshore I cherished that time by myself and sat down to take it all in. One year older – and one year wiser – I hope that I am.
[1] Elaine McMahon, Grace O’Regan, Paul Corcoran, Ella Arensman, Mary Cannon, Eileen Williamson, Helen Keeley, National Suicide Research Foundation, Young lives in Ireland: A school based study of mental health and suicide prevention (Cork, Ireland: National Suicide Research Foundation, 2017), p. 2.
[2] Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium of the Holy Father Francis to the Bishops, Clergy, Consecrated Persons and the Lay Faithful on the Proclamation of the Gospel in Today’s World, (2013) 105
