Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week is next week, from 12th to 18th May and the theme this year is 'community'.

Being part of a safe, positive community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing. We thrive when we have strong connections with other people and supportive communities that remind us we are not alone. Communities can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and give us a sense purpose. 

For many of our Ely and District CAP clients, debt and other issues have led to broken relationships, estrangement from family or friends and often loneliness. Those strong connections and supportive communities are not there and they often feel that they are struggling alone even to the extent that they are unable to leave the house and struggle to face each new day.

Ely and District CAP can help rebuild those community connections, the love and support of our debt coaches and visit team can help provide support not just financially but also mentally and spiritually. Bringing the love of Jesus with them into our clients homes can help show that however dark life may seem, however alone they feel, there is someone who is always walking alongside them, loving and supporting them every step of the way.

Isaiah 43: 1b - 2 (NIV)

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;    

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters,    

I will be with you;and when you pass through the rivers,    

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,    

you will not be burned;    

the flames will not set you ablaze.

The team can also help point them in the direction of other support that is available - a free Mum's and Toddler group can provide a space of rest for a struggling single Mum, an Open Space or Warm Space can provide respite and a chance to interact for someone living on their own with little interpersonal contact or support. An invitation to prayer can show that there is someone who cares and an invitation to church can introduce them to a family, a community of support. These are all small things that can make a huge difference.

1 Thessalonians 5: 11 (MSG)

So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.

Prayer

Please pray for all our CAP Clients, and especially for those struggling with Mental Health issues, broken relationships and loneliness. Pray that they would know the love of Christ alongside them through the support of the Ely and District CAP team. Pray that they would have the opportunity to find a supportive community to journey alongside them.

Please pray for our debt coaches, John and Pat, and for the befrienders, for the invitations that they can offer, that these small actions will help make a big change for our clients. Please pray for Community Links Coordinator Fiona and all those working to build up a knowledge of the support services and communities in our local area that can be signposted to our clients to help create holistic care alongside the journey out of debt.