I believe that many people 'out there' and perhaps some among you are struggling with mental health, anxiety, depression, anxious, worriesome and intrusive thoughts in a "post-pandemic" world. And what can make this feel all the harder is that it can seem that everyone around you has it together, that other people have bounced back and are doing just fine and aren't having troubles with their mind, heart and emotions. Our minds can be very distorted, disruptive and confusing places, and personally I find that the Word of the Living God sheds Light into my mind, and I need this on a daily basis. I watched a programme last night regarding the mental health crisis among children and teenagers following the lockdowns of the previous few years as they struggle to reintegrate into mainstream education. It's hardly surprising that if adults are finding things challenging then how much more must children and young people. Yet I was encouraged by the approach of some of the support workers who sought to help these youngsters and wanted to share some words of encouragement for any of you out there who may need it too, even as I seek to apply these positive steps to my own life as mental health can be a daily challenge for many of us.
There was one particularly bright young teenager who had done well previously in school, and yet after the pandemic she had daily panic attacks, was crippled by anxiety, fear and intrusive suicidal thoughts, feeling like a dark cloud was following and even consuming her. She had gone through quite a lot and was overwhelmed by it all. Her support worker helped her to see that even if she couldn't get rid of the cloud, she could, in those better moments, begin to focus on the 'glimmers of light' that shone through, and to focus on those small moments, step by step, allowing them to add up, and allowing for the 'ups and downs' of her mind, body and emotions. Gradually the spark began to return to this young lady, as she found mental and physical ways to focus on the positive and be present in the moment.
Sometimes we wake up and can feel consumed by anxiety, confusing or fearful thoughts, as our minds take us away from the here and the now that we are living in, and we can panic feeling like we don't know how to find a way out. In those times, look for the little glimmers of hope. Even if it is managing to get yourself up and dressed, that is a positive. I have been setting myself a timer to do small tasks as I continue to recover from long-Covid, and when my mind is unsettled, I look for the glimmers, to be present and thankful, to take a break to do some breathing, to read the Word of God and lift my eyes and let the True Light shine into my soul. And sometimes while many of us seek to get stronger after an unsettled few years, we can focus on the day, the moment we are in. We can focus on the task at hand, even if for a few moments, and then take a break. We can seek to reach out to others, whether connecting personally, or through a blog post, or in some other way. And that will leave a ripple effect. Know that you are not alone. Your mind may feel overwhelming, but take a few minutes, just to settle, to do the task at hand, to do something you enjoy and be present in it. Let your thoughts and worries subside, even if but for a moment, and know that as you continue, you, we will build up our resilience, step by step, little by little, day by day as we let those glimmers of light in, dispelling the dark clouds, until the True Light shines over us, in and through us, allowing us, even in our weakness to shine a light and be a way forwards, a beacon of hope perhaps to those around us. Your fear or anxiety may not go away completely or all at once, but little by little you can find relief and strength and eventually joy. I continue to cling to my Hope, my Lord Jesus Christ as the Light Who dispels all darkness, fear and lies. We all need hope, what brings you hope, understanding or help as you journey through life? x
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