Mental Illness Awareness Ministry

Title image of Mental Illness Awareness Sunday

photo of table outside of parish center with Mental Awareness pamphlets To honor those among us who suffer still and to embrace and applaud those who are finding their way out of the darkness -- and all those who walk the road with them. It is Mental Illness Awareness Month and the people of St, Joan are celebrating.

That seemed to be the theme on a bright, warm October day as the Mental Illness Ministry unfurled its banners, and provided brochures and a myriad of informative booklets about the many diseases listed under mental illness and brain disorder. Current books from the library were on display – authors from Jane Pauley to Jon Kabat-Zinn. In the church, a brilliant and heartfelt talk by John Hottinger touched and encouraged the people listening. Jim Cassidy, the Presider, told us that all of us need to be educated and then we can, each and every one of us, be agents in removing the stigma and fear around mental illness.

One highlight at the tables were Wellness Packets designed as bookmarks to Celebrate the first year anniversary of the Ministry. In addition to the definition of WELLNESS by St. Irenaceus , “The glory of God is the person fully alive.”, these are the other definitions of Wellness supplied by members of the MIM team:

Rosie Rogers with John Hottinger and parishioners outside the Parish Center
Rosie Rogers with John Hottinger and parishioners outside the Parish Center
WELLNESS is:

Feeling an okayness about here you are right now so that you can get to where you want to go.
You and your team seeing you work to achieve a goal that you want in order to bring balance to your life.
The condition of being sound in body, mind and spirit.
Not about perfectionism
Creativity
Taking care of your mind, body and spirit.
A lifelong ongoing process.
Taking time to be still
You taking care if yourself. You have to be a little selfish.
Great
Possible. Never give up. Never give up.
Easier when you have a network of support.
When you are working toward wellness, you are flourishing, thriving.

John Hottinger shared his story with humor and candor, his story about mental illness in the form of depression which brought him to the brink of despair. He spoke especially about being able and willing to recognize mental illness; the importance of acknowledging mental illness and utilizing the help that is available. According to one MIM member, I heard people later commenting that they liked the balance in his talk and felt he spoke from his heart; simple, brief and honest and shared helpful suggestions. He mentioned that men, especially older men, can find it especially difficult to get help for depression”. In the words of Mary Paradis, “In John Hottinger, we have another favorite speaker-hero!” Hear his talk and learn about his many accomplishments on our website for the next few weeks. And go to the Mental Illness Ministry for more information and an up-to-date calendar of events being held around the area. Then attend a second-Monday-of-the-month MIM meeting. Socialize with some wonderful people and hear great speakers educate and enrich us all.

final picture outside parish center

and
Ronnie Angelus says: "There are three things that make my life work: Talking to my daughter who opens vistas to me and makes me laugh; being in the circle of the Divas, my writing group, who shout "go girl" and give me standing ovations with their smiles and tears; sitting next to Mary and Claude Paradis during Sunday Mass at St. Joan of Arc, which is as close to pure goodness as I will know in this lifetime."

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