This past week students on a number of college and university campuses across Canada spoke up in a variety of ways about the lack of mental health support. This prompted public discussion in the media which called for greater participation and practical efforts on the part of administrations in those institutions.
One dean of students commented that the loss of hope for the future was a factor for many young people, which is probably a significant factor. On the same day I heard this we ended up in a restaurant with a wonderful, more-elderly-than-us couple. We decided to sit together and we caught up on their family, and they on ours.
We were gratified to hear that their daughter who is now middle-aged is doing remarkably well despite going through decades where she was barely able to function because of clinical mental illness. She returned to church during my time in the congregation where she had grown up and joined along the way. She is a talented musician and she began employing her musical gifts from time to time on Sunday mornings. We got to know her and discovered that she is a kind, compassionate person who helps the elderly in a number of behind-the-scenes way, and is involved in the congregation's meal ministries.
Her parents receive her recovery as a gift after trying everything possible when she was younger. They don't really understand what was unfolded but they are delighted for their child and grateful to God.
I figured I should share this story because we are bombarded with gloomy news about the rising tide of mental illness in our culture.We must address this growing challenge. At the same time I want to believe that a caring Christian community has contributed to this woman's new-found mental stability which has now extended over several years. There have been many people who've held her in prayer and offered encouragement through they years. While we know this doesn't always result in positive outcomes we can be encouraged by each story which gives us glimmers of hope.
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