Today is the first day of Mental Health Awareness Week. At College I recently prepared a sermon for my Developing Preaching Model where I chose to focus this on Mental Health Awareness Week… I share it for your perusal…
There are also resources and links at the end which you may, or may not, find useful.
“Today is the start of Mental Health Awareness week, a week in the UK where we are encouraged to focus on maintaining good mental health. Often when we hear people talk about mental health, we immediately assume they are talking about specific conditions; but every one of us has a mental health which is important to maintain in order to maintain a healthy balance and ensure we do not enter a period of mental ill-health, though again this may not be a specific mental health condition.
This year the week’s theme is loneliness. Throughout the last two years we have all experienced loneliness in different ways; not being able to see our loved ones for extended periods, particularly in their time of need, missing significant life milestones and not being able to celebrate them with others. Whilst online communities formed this, for some, was not enough. Loneliness can have a significant impact on our mental health, even if you think you are used to extended periods away from others, that social contact is still what keeps you going – even the most sociable people you know may be experiencing loneliness. As Christians we believe that we are never alone, that God is always with us, so does that mean we can never experience loneliness? And what does it mean for those who feel abandoned by God.
The musical Dear Evan Hansen is about mental health and tackles the issue of social exclusion or loneliness. Evan is a high school student struggling with a severe social anxiety disorder about to embark on his senior year. He has no friends – and a broken arm. To help overcome his anxieties his therapist suggests that each day he writes himself a letter starting
‘Dear Evan Hansen, this is going to be a good day and here’s why…’
His mother suggests he tries to make friends by asking people to sign his cast which backfires when on his first encounter with peers at school they make fun of him because he broke it falling out of a tree – what 17 year old does that.
Evan withdraws and ponders on whether he will always be an outcast writing a letter stating that he has given up all hope that this year could possibly be good and wondering if anyone at school would notice if he didn’t return – he reflects on this in his opening song Waving through a Window, which starts with:
“I’ve learned to slam on the brake; Before I even turn the key; Before I make the mistake; Before I lead with the worst of me; Give them no reason to stare; No slipping up if you slip away; So I got nothing to share; No, I got nothing to say; Step out, step out of the sun; If you keep getting burned; Step out, step out of the sun; Because you’ve learned, because you’ve learned.”
But Evan is not the only one experiencing loneliness when an incident at school highlights the number of students who also feel isolated and alone; not knowing where to turn to for help and not reaching their full potential as they are hiding away.
In the Gospel of Matthew we hear Jesus’ sermon on the mount; where Jesus says:
‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.’
This passage has always made me wonder how you achieve this when your mental health might be suffering, but also if you are lonely and isolated because when you are experiencing this coming out from under the bushel basket or stepping out into the sun is the hardest thing you can do – especially if like Evan you keep getting burnt. How can you live as the light of the world if something is holding you back?
As a result of the incident at school Evan finds himself thrust into the public eye and, despite his anxiety, is able to deliver an inspiring speech about his own loneliness; which reaches 10s of thousands of people across the world when it is shared online. Evan flips his opening words saying:
“So, let the sun come streaming in; Cause you’ll reach up and you’ll rise again; Lift your head and look around; You will be found.”
We all have something which stops us from shining as bright as we are able, be that a mental illness or anything that weighs heavy on our heart. And it is during these dark moments that we can feel abandoned, alone and isolated from the love of God. But it is important for us to remember that we are never alone, there is always someone there who helps us to reach up, lifting us from under our bushel baskets and helping us to step into the sun filled with the love of God. Amen.”
There are resources available for those who need them:
Getting help
If you are concerned that you are developing a mental health problem you should seek the advice and support of your GP as a matter of priority. If you are in distress and need immediate help and are unable to see a GP, you should visit your local A&E.
The Mental Health Foundation is a charity specialising in research and policy development, with a focus on preventing mental health problems. We are not able to advise people directly on their personal circumstances.
If you would like advice about looking after your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak visit this page.
Below are details on services and organisations that offer help and support directly to people with mental health problems:
Talk to the Samaritans
The Samaritans offer emotional support 24 hours a day – in full confidence.
Call 116 123 – it’s FREE
Or email jo@samaritans.org.uk
Shout Crisis Text Line
For support in a crisis, Text Shout to 85258.
If you’re experiencing a personal crisis, are unable to cope and need support.
Shout can help with urgent issues such as:
Suicidal thoughts
Abuse or assault
Self-harm
Bullying
Relationship challenges
Rethink Mental Illness
You can call the Rethink advice and information line Monday to Friday, 10am-2pm for practical advice on:
different types of therapy and medication
benefits, debt, money issues
police, courts, prison
your rights under the Mental Health Act.
Call Rethink on 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
Mind
The Mind infoline
Mind offer an information line to answer questions about:
types of mental health problem
where to get help
drug and alternative treatments
advocacy.
Call the Mind infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary considerably). Or email info@mind.org.uk.
The Mind Legal Advice service
If you need legal advice, you can speak to Mind about:
mental health
mental capacity
community care
human rights and discrimination/equality related to mental health issues.
Call the Mind Legal Advice service on 0300 466 6463 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary considerably). Or email legal@mind.org.uk.
Tell someone you trust
You may find it helpful to talk to your partner, a relative or a friend about your problems. They may be concerned about you and welcome the opportunity to hear what you have to say. If this is not possible, you may prefer to talk to someone else you can trust, like a faith leader or a tutor.
You can find out more about friendships and how to tell your friends on our friendships page.
Talk to your GP
Your GP may be the first person you talk to about your mental health problems. If you have a good relationship with your doctor, you may find it helpful just to know there is someone you can talk to about the feelings you are having. Your GP may refer you to specialist services if he/she feels they will help you. You can find information about talking to your GP about your mental health in our guide.
If you are unhappy with your own doctor, you can ask to see another doctor at the same practice or make an appointment with a different practice in your area. If you are unsure where to find other doctor’s surgeries, look in your local Yellow Pages or try the NHS Choices website.
Specialist mental health services
Most people recover from mental health problems without needing to go into hospital. There are a number of specialist services that provide various treatments, including counselling and other talking treatments. You may also need help with other aspects of your life – for example, claiming benefits or dealing with housing problems. Often these different services are coordinated by a community mental health team (CMHT).
CMHTs are usually based either at a hospital or a local community mental health centre. Some teams provide 24-hour services so that you can contact them in a crisis. If you are already in contact with a CMHT you may find it useful to keep their number by your phone in case you need it. Otherwise you should be able to contact your local CMHT via your local social services or social work team.
Other kinds of community mental health team include Crisis and Home Treatment teams, which provide you with help in your own home and can come out to see you in an emergency or help you get into hospital if you need inpatient treatment.
You may also find it helpful to contact your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau for advice about benefits, debt problems, legal issues and local services. The Citizens Advice Bureau website has a directory listing its local offices.
How to access support
How do I get support for my mental health? A summary of the different ways you can access help and support for your mental health.
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