Emmaus Companions Newsletter - November 12, 2020
Hello Everyone,
When we began gathering for our first support meetings back in December of 2018, none of us could have predicted the context in which we would have been living over the last 10 months in 2020. The COVID 19 pandemic has been one of the most challenging global situations our human race has endured in recent memory.
While this has been true of the human family as a whole around the world, it has been even more so for families living with the particular challenges that are associated with mental illness. A recent report in the Lancet indicates an increase in disruptions in access to mental health supports, coupled with an increase in need has placed many countries in a challenging space to deal with the mental health fallout of this pandemic.
And yet, as discussed at our support meeting last month, many members of our group have experienced surprising graces. We have had more quality time together as families, we are learning to listen and respond in healthier ways, and access to virtual supports has continued to provide coping tools.
In all of this, I know I have been and continue to be grateful for the prayers of this group as well as the ability to gather in safe ways to share our joys and our struggles with other caregivers who understand this journey we have found ourselves on.
This is why we have begun to more publically promote our monthly small group sessions. Bulletin announcements advertising our monthly meetings have been sent to parishes as well as personal letters to pastors explaining our ministry and inviting them to share our ads as well as contact information with individuals and families who may be in need of support.
I would encourage all of you to help spread the word as well. One in five families in our neighbourhoods and parishes are dealing with mental health challenges in the home. One in five caregivers are finding themselves in need of some form of support.
Sharing is easy. Like our Facebook Page and share our ads and posts in your own feeds. Encourage your pastors to share our bulletin ads in their parishes and on their websites; share resources found on our Emmaus Family Support Blog, and feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone who you feel might find it useful.
As we enter into these final weeks of 2020, I continue to pray for all of you and those whom you love.
Peace and God Bless,
Deacon Eric
"While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him...As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them." - Luke 24:15-16;28-29
Nov
26
Next Support Meeting
7:30pm-9:30pm
445 Broad Street North
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
From The Emmaus Family Support Blog:
Live Life to the Full: Australian Bishops on Mental Health
It’s not easy to find statements from Catholic Bishops on mental health issues. I don’t think this is because they don’t see mental health as important or they are themselves, insulated from mental health challenges personally or in their families. I know enough Bishops and priests to know their lives are as much a struggle in all ways, as everybody else’s.
Christianity and Depression - Dr. Aaron Kheriaty Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry UC Irvine School of Medicine
Lessons learned about Catholics with mental health struggles
The most common thing I see is the families that are at the church, and everybody thinks they’re just the most wonderful, put together family that’s out there. And I’m seeing half of them in therapy probably, because no family is perfect....
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