Families, Mental Health and Pastoral Care in the Catholic Community.
The Archdiocesian DAY OF REFLECTION , 2008
The Archdiocesan Family Life Commission hosted a day of reflection in the Ty-Croeso Centre, Llantarnam Abbey on February 24t .h The aim was to bring together people with a concern for or experience of mental health issues. Twenty-one people with varied experience of mental health came together, including sufferers, carers and family members, professionals, counsellors and the guest speaker, Mrs Edna Huneysett, author of ‘Carers in the Community’ who had addressed the National Conference in Wolverhampton in October.
Edna Hunneysett (Centre)is seen here talking to Anne Ballard (L) and Joanne Hinds (R) both from the Family Life Commission.
Edna gave a very moving account of how she, “an ordinary mother of 8 children, had lived through the nightmare of caring for her teenage daughter once she had been diagnosed with severe depression.”
Having heard the account of her own experience, the group then discussed very openly how they related to Edna’s story, during which time they shared their own experiences as well as expressing agreement with the need she had identified for better pastoral care. During lunch, discussions and sharing continued informally and there were opportunities to visit the chapel or oratory and to browse through the pamphlets and fact sheets that had been obtained by the Commission from the various charities and organisations who offer help, support and information to those suffering from mental illness and their families.
After lunch the group heard from Mrs Val Evans, a retired psychiatrist who shared her experience of helping to treat those with mental illness, and her awareness of the need to fill the gap in pastoral care. She had had to learn that prescribing treatment was not always enough. Experience taught her that if patients had a faith, a family, a home, a job, a friend, then the prognosis was much better. She explained how despite all her training she struggled with the level of suffering she observed in others, but that a retreat for doctors during which they were encouraged to see the face of the suffering Christ when they encounter patients had helped. Having listened to Val, many in the group admitted that as a sufferer or carer they had not considered the need for support for those involved in the treatment of mental illness.
Before concluding with a meditation, led by sister Breda Gainey, the group discussed what could, should or might be done to help the families of those suffering mental health problems.
As a direct result of this day of reflection, a support group for carers has been initiated within the Newport deanery. The Commission has produced a directory of useful numbers and websites for families who are experiencing mental illness. They aim to work to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by these families within our Archdiocese, and they plan to seek ways to offer appropriate training for laity, sisters and clergy who wish to help in this important area of pastoral care.
Anyone interested in mental health and pastoral care within the Archdiocese or requiring any further information is asked to contact Anne Ballard on flc@rcadc.org
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