Mental health and Quakers

Alison Mitchell describes two new Quaker initiatives on mental health

We live in turbulent times and mental health issues can be part of this. We live in a society with increasing levels of mental distress identified, diagnosed and discussed. Friends are worried about their own mental wellbeing and worried about that of people they love. There are Friends experiencing mental distress and Friends caring for people experiencing mental distress. There are people in our Meetings who need support. Friends look at the news, look at services their area and see how difficult things are.

What should Quakers be doing about mental health? Is there a Quaker approach to mental health? Should mental health be a concern of Quakers? Should we be speaking out? We have, in The Retreat at York, one of the leading independent mental health hospitals, offering high quality care to people who have complex needs. It was founded by Quakers and still holds to Quaker values. Are there other things that Friends, collectively or as individuals or Meetings, could or should be doing?

There are two new initiatives which may help us to explore some of the issues. Both are fully funded by The Retreat Benevolent Fund.

There will soon be the first meeting of a Quaker Mental Health Forum, on 9 December in Friargate Meeting House, York. It will be exploring ‘Dementia: our shared journey’. It will be an opportunity to hear the experiences of Friends and about some of the work done at The Retreat – to share, reflect and worship together. We hope this will become an annual gathering, an opportunity for Friends engaged in any way with mental health to meet. We will be looking at different topics and meeting in different locations. We hope every Area Meeting can send and support a representative, but all Friends are invited. We suggest a £5 donation to cover lunch – no other charge. If you are interested please contact Shirley Torrens.

The other initiative is the appointment of a mental health development officer at The Retreat. This role, which I have taken on, is aimed at providing Friends with the information and the inspiration to discern our way forward. The job will develop – but I am starting to reflect on how best to raise awareness and to raise issues. I hope to visit Area Meetings and talk to very many Friends in the months ahead.

Openness about our feelings links to truth: our response to people experiencing distress links to equality. Mental health challenges us all. Let us come together to discern our responses.

Alison is mental health development officer at The Retreat, York.

Further information:
shirleytorrens1@gmail.com
alisonmitchellmhdo@theretreatyork.org.uk

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