April 26, 2007

In The Mourning

By DeBorah Gilbert White

The past few weeks have served as a time of public reflection on some of the ways in which we choose as human beings to interact with each other. Opinions abound as to why we say and do the things that we do, and what, if anything can be done, and who should address what ails us as a society and a world. Not unlike many of you, I am often left with more questions than answers.

The tragic events on the campus of Virginia Tech remain on my mind for several reasons. Two of those reasons are close and personal. I am the mother of two young people away at colleges in different parts of the country, and I am the daughter of a father who lived with mental illness. I mourn for all, the victims, the victimizer, and their families, whose life stories became intertwined in such a permanent way during this moment in time.

One of the issues brought to the forefront by the Virginia Tech tragedy is the need for greater awareness related to mental health issues, review of mental health care treatment strategies and policies related to mental illness. The cultural issues connected to mental illness and mental health care stem from how we view people with different mental abilities. Mental illness is a stigma in most societies due to misinformation and fear. For many individuals and their families, the acknowledgment of mental illness continues to be a source of shame and guilt.

Abelism, discriminatory practices and prejudicial beliefs held by people who are developmentally, emotionally, and physically abled is part of the lived experiences of persons living with mental illness. Abelism impacts relationships within church and society by limiting access and/or inclusion of the differently abled to benefits and opportunities readily available to others. The plight of individuals with different physical and mental abilities, remains an oppressive issue within society and the faith community.

The Presbyterian Health, Education, and Welfare Association (PHEWA) and the Presbyterian Serious Mental Illness Network (PSMIN) have provided leadership in the development of resources and ministries related to the issue of mental illness. In an effort to be responsive to a mandate from the General Assembly for a new policy statement on serious mental illness, the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) appointed a Task Force on Serious Mental Illness to explore the complex issues related to this topic, and to develop a proposed policy statement for consideration by ACSWP.

In the Spring of 2006, the Task Force on Serious Mental Illness completed the study guide, Serious Mental Illness: Seeking a Comprehensive Christian Response. The resource was distributed to all presbyteries and synods with intentional efforts for each congregation to receive one copy. Click here to download the English or Spanish version of this resource.

The Task Force on Serious Mental Illness recognizes the growing need for the faith community to be part of the solution in dismantling the stigma associated with mental illness and furthering awareness among clergy and within congregations concerning this issue. The Campaign for Mental Health Reform acknowledges that many efforts to assist persons living with mental illness face the challenge of systems that perpetuate dependence and/or exclusion. This often provides the alienation that supports an environment for egregious acts like those experienced at Virginia Tech.

Brenda Gales, a member of the Presbyterian Church of the Resurrection in Conyers, Georgia, and a former chair of the PSMIN, is moderator of the Task Force on Serious Mental Illness. She is also the Coordinator of Activity Therapy Services in the Department of Psychiatry at Grady Memorial Hospital (Atlanta, Ga.). At the Task Force’s last meeting, Brenda introduced our group to a project sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company that showcased artwork, poetry, and photography created by persons living with mental illness. The project titled, “A Journey of Courage” was designed to support treatment, recovery and advocacy related to mental illness. Brenda explained that Lilly was committed to giving voice and opportunity for integration into the larger community for people living with mental illness.

On May 2, a worship service at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, Ky., was led by Nancy Troy (PHEWA). Resources on mental health and additional artistic work from the “A Journey of Courage” project were displayed. Sunday, May 6 has been designated as the day for Serious Mental Illness Awareness within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It’s another time for reflection on how we as a faith community and as individuals view mental illness and an opportunity for witness and advocacy. Materials for Serious Mental Illness Sunday can be obtained on their Web site, as well as information about other models of ministries related to persons living with mental illness.

The Task Force on Serious Mental Illness is in the process of completing its final report for consideration by ACSWP at its June 2007 meeting. Read more about the work of the Task Force on Serious Mental Illness.

Read more about resources on the issues and challenges related to physical and mental abilities and learn more about PC(USA)'s National Health Ministries.