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| Making
Everybody Welcome: Families and Mental Health in Hallam |
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Over
forty people attended a day conference at St Wilfrid’s Centre Sheffield
on Saturday, April 12th 2008. It
was organised by Diocese of Hallam Caring Services and aimed to explore
how parishes can respond to those affected by mental health issues.
All had a personal, professional or pastoral reason for attending,
and they were joined by representatives from St Vincent de Paul Society
and the Union of Catholic Mothers.
The
day was opened by Bishop John Rawsthorne who drew attention to books by
Edna Hunneysett which provide food for thought and practical ideas for
parish communities. Susan
Tym, Family Focus worker, Hallam Caring Services, set the day in context,
explaining that Everybody’s Welcome is one of the three projects
emanating from Listening 2004 – My Family, My Church; she was followed
by Sheila Kennedy, Chaplain, Sheffield Care Trust who led the opening
prayer. The
keynote speech was given by Fr Andy Graydon, Chaplain, Doncaster &
South Humber Mental Health Trust. He
reminded us that our minds are so full of clutter, bombarded with so many
thoughts, we lose sight of the deeper essence of who we are. One way back
into that essence is to find the space, the gaps between the thoughts, a
stillness that puts us in touch with the deeper essence of who we truly
are. We are the witnessing presence of our thoughts and not our thoughts.
People who identify with their thoughts will live in the world of thoughts
and not in reality, which is madness.
His
talk was followed by a showing of Myths About Madness a short film
produced by MIND - which served to destroy many of the assumptions about
people who have mental heath problems.
After
a buffet lunch, those attending joined one of three workshops -
Spirituality and Mental Health led by Rev Harry Smart, Lead Chaplain,
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Trust; Living With Dementia led by Judith
Gregory, Sheffield Branch Manager, Alzheimer’s Society; Use of
Prescribed Drugs led by Peter Pratt, Chief Pharmacist, Sheffield Care
Trust. Leaders were asked to
bring back three thoughts emerging from their workshops to a panel chaired
by Stuart Hanlon, Co-ordinator of Hallam Caring Services projects.
Feedback
from the day appreciated the opportunity to ‘normalise’ the subject,
to talk about it openly, and remove the stigma attached to those suffering
from the effects of mental health problems.
Suggestions for inclusion in future days included supporting
parishes to set up befriending services and ideas for preparing liturgies
for people who find Sunday church difficult.
Staff and volunteers of St Wilfrid’s Centre deserve a special mention for their hospitality and the buffet lunch, which was provided free of charge courtesy of a grant from St Agatha’s Trust. |
A
powerful drama called Katie’s Story was performed by ‘Whole In The
Head’ and gave an insight to the experiences and feelings of someone
suffering from mental health problems.