Rebecca’s Blog
May is Mental Health Awareness month and as I am sitting to write this blog I knew the focus would be on reducing the stigma for the 1 in 4 people who suffers from some form of mental illness in our country today. I was going to get on my soapbox about the importance of creating a culture where everyone feels empowered to seek help and we eliminate the shame associated with seeking mental health services. As I was thinking about how to do this I began to think through my days at the clinic and realized what gifts I have been given through my work as a mental health professional. I am incredibly blessed to be trusted by so many people to walk along side them in their journey. I often get asked why I do this work, I get asked if it is depressing or if I get sick of hearing people’s “problems”.
My answer is this; I do this work because I value each and every person God puts in my path. I choose to see their strength and when their fear and shame are lying to them I am privileged to speak truth to them. Can the pain of others wear us out; yes. Do we often get frustrated when we see continued dysfunction; yes. But we also see those who are fighting a monstrous battle to change their circumstances, to grow in each trial they face, and challenge the shame that is gripping them. As they embark on these journeys that is where amazing things begin to happen. We get to witness our clients finally experiencing what we have known all along. They begin to see their value, worth and strength. This gives us hope, it gives us light in really dark places, and we get the opportunity to see Jesus in places others shy away from. What a blessing it is!
I am going to be honest there are days where there is such a dim light in a great vastness of darkness. In these places we shed tears, get angry, and hit our knees in prayer because we hurt with and for our clients, but in these moments, God is always present and He always gives us glimpses of peace, moments of clarity, and opportunities to teach us things that are so valuable about our fellow human beings. Never in a million years did I think that was going to happen when we opened the doors 4 years ago. Along this journey we learn about resiliency, strength, fortitude, and empowerment. That is what I want everyone to take away from a month designed to bring Mental Health Awareness; regardless of the clinical symptoms, regardless of the circumstances, there is help available, there are tools that can alleviate symptoms, but more importantly there are things to be learned about each and every one of us. Letting go of the shame mental illness can bring creates space for this resiliency, strength, fortitude and empowerment to grow and create opportunities for greatness!