The road back to wellness
This is part of a helpful series of weekly articles and stories on Mental Wellbeing presented by Suzie Baird and Tricia Hendry to help the Church build our knowledge, understanding, and skills to strengthen our communities.
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After any kind of illness, everyone’s pathway back to wellness is their own. ‘Recovery’ from mental distress or disorders will look different for different people. Gradual changes begin to help a person improve their health and well-being, step by step. For some, recovery may be total, with mental distress being a ‘one-off’ episode in their life. For others, recovery may mean learning to live and cope with, a challenging ongoing condition. This is no different from a person living with and responding to diabetes or a heart condition. Both ongoing mental and physical health conditions can, from time to time, flare up and need attention.
I live with acute anxiety. It eases up a lot at times and medication helps with that. At other times it hits hard. Recovery has meant learning coping strategies that work for me and how to enjoy my life despite my condition. Anxiety has disrupted my family for generations. Now I understand I am not my illness. I’m just me, navigating around it and carrying on! – Jen
Recovering from mental distress is, unlike the myths suggest, not only entirely possible but extremely common. Anyone experiencing mental unwellness can become more well, even if that means they have to work around issues that are ongoing. They can lead lives that are full, productive, meaningful and enjoyable.
To be honest, I think what I’ve been through has made me better able to enjoy life and be thankful for it that most people I know. I have my good days and my bad days, but God’s always in them. When Jesus said he came to give us life in all its fullness, I’m sure that was meant for me too. – Leila
Recovery towards wellness will always be the most effective when it’s directed by the person who is unwell themselves. It also needs others to trust that person to know their own experience and be able to take an active role in their treatment and health options. It needs people to encourage them to draw on the strengths and abilities God has given them, rather than just focusing on the issues.
For most, recovery will be meeting goals they set for themselves, building up strong relationships, learning helpful life skills, and having access to social and economic opportunities. When recovery is viewed this way, it still happens whether someone is or isn’t experiencing mental distress or mental illness.
Research helpfully tells us today that there are some key factors that support a person to become more well. These can help guide us, and whole church families, as we look for ways to support those in mental distress.
Effective recovery towards greater wellness…
begins with hope
is person-centred and person-directed
is holistic (supports the whole person: mind, body and spirit)
is respectful – including culturally respectful
happens using a variety of support, health and treatment options
is supported by friends, family and whānau
is supported through building positive relationships and social networks.
We know that when people have supportive relationships that offer them unconditional love, they’re more able to cope with the ups and downs of their distress and work towards recovery. Of course, counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors, and other mental health professionals provide important support, but it is the connections offered by friends, family, whānau and the community that are most critical.
In other words, churches, ministry groups and individual Christians are positioned perfectly to be a tremendous support for those on a road to recovery. How are we making the most of this potential?
To recover well from mental illness, a person most needs these four key things:
Access to health options – so they can make choices about what can support their physical and mental well-being.
A home – a safe and stable place to live.
A sense of purpose – daily routines that are meaningful, such as school, work, volunteering, family life and being involved in community life (e.g. attending community events and interacting with neighbours).
Community – supportive relationships with people who provide care, love, emotional support and understanding and respect that recovery takes time.
I asked Kyle to tell us about how his church put this theory into action:
My church was protective of me when I was at my lowest. They got that I needed a place to live and found me somewhere. They helped me get to appointments. They got that I shouldn’t be always alone, and they included me in meals and events and just hanging out. They got that I could do stuff so, when I was up to it, I started doing odd jobs for people. Bottom line, Jesus turned up in them. I tell everyone, I wouldn’t be here without them. – Kyle
So, we know what research tells us, but we also know what Jesus taught us. Jesus never said, just love one another when it suits you, or just love others when their lives are not complicated or messy. As we follow Jesus, we can each play our part in loving and supporting those who are struggling mentally as they journey towards wellness.
May God give each of us eyes to see people as He does and the love to care for them, wherever they might be on life’s recovery road.
By Tricia Hendry
Note:
The Coping Kete is home to over 160 strategies for surviving tough times of mental and emotional distress: http://www.engagenz.co.nz/copingkete/
If you, a member of your whānau, or a friend are experiencing mental distress, please contact a GP for further mental health support and referrals. You can text or call 1737 to talk to a trained counsellor 24/7. In an emergency, please contact your local mental health crisis team or nearest Emergency Department. In a life-threatening situation call 111.
Suzie Baird is a mental health advocate. She has lived experience of mental distress that helps her to support others and educate those wanting to understand more. She attends Lyall Bay Community Church, an Anglican pioneer mission unit.
Tricia Hendry is a writer and educator specialising in issues relating the mental health and resilience. She has many years’ experience supporting others through mental health and trauma challenges. She attends All Saints, Hataitai.
