Tuesday, October 10, 2017

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

Psalm 119, Verse 38
For your servant, fulfill your promise made to those who fear you.

This Psalm, the longest by far in the Psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The psalm glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law, laments the cost of obedience, delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts, and asks for the rewards of keeping them. The Psalm is fascinated with God’s word directing and guiding human life. The poem is an acrostic; its twenty-two stanzas (of eight verses each) are in the order of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of the eight verses within a stanza begins with the same letter. Each verse contains one word for “instruction.” The translation here given attempts to translate each Hebrew word for “instruction” with the same English word. There are, however, nine words for “instruction,” not eight, so the principle of a different word for “instruction” in each verse cannot be maintained with perfect consistency. The nine words for “instruction” in the translation are: law, statute, commandment, precept, testimony, word, judgment, way, and promise.[1]

A Visit from King David[2]

First Chronicles 10:13-14 “Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.”

When King Saul refused to obey God, God was silent to his requests. He went so far as to seek the deceased Samuel’s advice through a medium. How far he has fallen! David, upon hearing the news of King Saul and Jonathan’s death, didn’t celebrate because he would not be King, but “David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword” (2nd Sam 1:11-12). A godly man or woman doesn’t celebrate their enemies defeat. David simply said, “How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle” (2nd Sam 1:25), grieving over his close friend Jonathan but also his former enemy, King Saul.
Words of Wisdom from a Superman[3]
Although he never planned it that way, Christopher Reeve[4] became a hero for our time. His legacy of determination, commitment, compassion and courage continues to inspire men and women across the globe. Playing the role of Superman in the movies he became, to many of us, “The Man of Steel.” When a riding accident changed his life forever, we cried and we worried… but somehow knew the super man within would prevail. And he did. The way he lived, and the amazing way he spoke about living, became a powerful source of motivation and inspiration for people living with paralysis and disabilities. His words have touched all our hearts. We share some of our favorite Christopher Reeve quotes.

·         What is a Hero? "I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."
·         Once you choose hope anything is possible.
·         "Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go out in the ocean."
·         "If I can laugh, I can live."
·         "You've got to give more than you take."



World Mental Health Day[5]

World Mental Health Day seeks to raise awareness of mental health illnesses while educating the population and mobilizing efforts to support mental health. Mental health, which includes a person's emotional, psychological and social well-being, has become increasingly important in recent decades as an estimated 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression. In 1992, the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) established World Mental Health Day in an effort to promote education and advocate for mental health sufferers.  The Foundation aims to provide further awareness and assistance for those suffering from a wide range of mental disorders in the hopes of saving lives and increasing quality of life for these individuals. World Mental Health Day is celebrated annually on October 10th.


World Mental Health Day Facts & Quotes

·         The 2016 theme for World Mental Health Day as promoted by World Federation for Mental Health was Dignity in Mental Health - Psychological & Mental Health First Aid for All.
·         Depression can lead to suicide. More than 800,000 people worldwide take their own lives every year.
·         Suicide is the third leading cause of death in the world for individuals 15 to 44.  Suicide rates have increased by 60% over the past 45 years.
·         10-20% of children in the world experience a mental disorder. It is the leading cause of disability in youth.
·         I used to think that the worst thing in like was to end up alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel alone. - Robin Williams, actor who committed suicide in 2014
World Mental Health Day Top Events and Things to Do

·         Volunteer your time at an organization that works with child mental health. Depression is a growing concern among children and organizations such as Big Brothers and Sisters of America, Teen Mental Health, NAMI and Children's Mental Health can help you find a local area to help your youth.
·         Watch a movie that touches on mental health issues or particular disorders. Some of our favorites are
1) Bipolar: Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
2) Schizophrenia: A Beautiful Mind (2001)
3) OCD: As Good As It Gets (1997)
4) Suicide: The Virgin Suicides (1999)
5) Alzheimer's: Still Alice (2014)
6) Borderline Personality: Girl, Interrupted (1999)
7) Depression: Inside Out (2015)
8) Post Traumatic Stress: Jacob's Ladder (1990)
·         Read a book about mental disorders. Some of our picks: The Bell Jar, Thirteen Reasons Why and All the Bright Places
·         Evaluate your own mental well-being or that of someone you are close to.
- Are you always sad?
- Do you have suicidal thoughts?
- Do you feel that you have no reason to live?
·         Visit a psychologist to discuss any problems that have overwhelmed you lately.



Mental Health[6]

As a person, family or community we create and atmosphere conducive or destructive to the health and well-being of each. Each must assume responsibility for and take reasonable care of their health. 

Process:

1.      When a person identifies a mental health issue, they are encouraged to seek help to meet their needs. They may identify support and/or referral to care from:
a.       Medical team
b.      Physician
c.       Local community
d.      Family members
e.       Community resources
f.       Spiritual Director

2.      When a person, co-worker, family member or other, are concerned for another related to a mental health issue, they are strongly encouraged to talk to them directly regarding their concerns.

3.      Treatment services may include but are not limited to:
a.       Talk Therapy
b.      Hospitalized Care
c.       In-patient care at a treatment facility
d.      Spiritual direction
e.       12 step programs

Daily Devotions/Prayers
·         Drops of Christ’s Blood
·         Total Consecration Day 30

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