STORIES OF HOPE

It sounds like a dichotomy – stories of shock, grief and emotional turbulence are also stories of hope.  It happens regularly when family members and Pursuers tell of their life experiences at the monthly meetings of the Mental Illness Ministry.  

Let’s hear about the stories from Gretchen:

   The MIM meeting begins with fellowship – people taking some time from their busy schedules, having a bite to eat at round tables – like Jesus did.  He gathered people together, blessed them and listened – “where there are two gathered in My name”.  This is what is unique about this MIM ministry - there are so many positive things in the fact that we gather and we share food but we also get to know each other.   

Then we are asked to gather and celebrate achievements and “little steps forward.”  Gold stars pop up and are awarded to those willing to declare the accomplishments of the previous month.  Everyone enjoys being rewarded.  It does not have to be something large – we all need to be acknowledged.  On our birthdays, a ring that flashes colors reminds us that we are a special creation of God.   

We prayerfully begin the journey of hearing about other’s experiences with mental illness.  One woman shared about “losing a home because it became known that she had a son with mental illness.”  Through a lot of work and a lot of prayer she and her son now have an apartment and are looking forward to moving into a home.  Fighting discrimination is really difficult. Even though there have been many traumas, frustrations, discrimination and stigma , now the family members are at a point where they can function in society.  At a point where they have the right medications and help they need.  They don’t know how long that will last.  It’s like a circle that goes round and round.  Even with uncertainty, the parents have hope that there will be continued healing.  

Let’s hear about the meeting from Ronnie:

  What impressed me the most was the brilliant lives that were abruptly challenged and changed with an onset of a mental illness.  A number of the parents talked about their children, in their first years of college when aberrant behaviors first were reported.  There may have been signals along the way, but often they are chalked up to “being teen agers” or puberty, or adolescence.  Often when children are “acting out”, educators and doctors may lump the behavior into the category Attention Deficit Disorder. 

Gretchen adds:  

Help for children has changed.  Formerly they were taken to hospitals.  Now they are being arrested and taken to jail.  This is due to lack of funding for mental health.  They have dismantled most of the programs.  Many mental illness programs have been cut or so poorly staffed that the need for their expertise is not being met.  

Ronnie says:

  One parent described the progression of mental illness as “one step forward, one step back and one step sideways.” Sometimes the child lives in a “painful, distorted world.”   For example, when an individual may be in the throes of an ‘episode’, they may see themselves as the personification of God, or that they have clarity about God’s intents greater than other people.  This may cause stresses in all their relationships, family and friends alike.  

The good news is that there is the “one step forward” and every challenge met is greeted with joy and support from the families.  One of the great services this ministry provides is education about all the forms of brain disorder/ mental illness and provides a safe place free of stigma and discrimination.  

The next regular meeting of the Mental Illness Ministry will be June 11, 2007.  A light meal is served starting at 6:00 PM, followed by the speaker at 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM.  Questions and answer period is 7:45 to 8:00PM followed by support groups to 9:00 PM.