By Andre Sequeira
A few years ago, a number of Bateman parishioners attended a Mental Health First Aid Course organised by the Emmanuel Centre which resulted in the formation of a Mental Health First Aiders support group in the parish.
One of the early initiatives was to reach out to carers of persons with special needs.
This small support group soon became part of the Parish Pastoral Council’s larger outreach to those in need.
Most recently with the support of the Parish Pastoral Council and the Parish Priest Fr Phong Nguyen, a three-part workshop series was delivered entitled, “Good Self Care”.
The program was planned, organised and managed by the Deputy Chair of the Parish Pastoral Council, Mario Sequeira along with support from Emmanuel Centre Director, Joe O’Brien.
Each workshop was led by persons who had significant lived or professional experience in their respective areas.
The first workshop focussing on ‘Good Mental Health’ and was led by Joe O’Brien, who is also a former prison chaplain, and parishioner and practising psychiatrist, Dr Abish Antony.
The session focussed on everyday strategies to enhance good mental health along with considering underlying issues affecting persons today.
The feedback from attendees clearly demonstrated an overwhelming appreciation of Dr Antony’s simple but highly effective ways of understanding how we can maintain good mental health.
The second session, focussed on ‘Good Physical Health’ with parishioner and fitness advocate Will Schaefer offered several practical ways to get moving and enjoying the benefits of exercise.
The highlight for most was how meaningfully Will linked the spirituality of our bodies being the temple of the Holy Spirit and how we should therefore nurture our physical self.
The final session was delivered by Joe O’Brien with guest presenter Sr Catherine Warner PBVM from the Nano Nagle Centre entitled, “Feeding the Soul”.
Joe led the group through a guided mediation and the Lectio Divina so that we could experience how to nurture our soul through times of quiet reflection of scripture and meditation.
The session explored ways of getting in touch with who we are and understanding our relationship with God is shaped by many factors.
The sessions were certainly well received with an average of 50 persons attending each monthly workshop from across the Archdiocese.
The attendees repeatedly appreciated the organisers for creating a safe place where people could gather in a non-threatening environment and share on matters that were truly important to them. Another special touch was the home-made morning tea freshly prepared by parishioners Carol Ann, Rini and Gail. These workshops certainly lived up to their goal, “to be interactive, educational, inspiring and a great opportunity to grow together as a caring, sharing, content and healthy Christian community”. Well done to St Thomas More Parish Pastoral Council for supporting this initiative.