A STORY I HAVE TO TELL
PART 2
September 30, 2024
You may remember the story I told in my September 12, 2023, blog post. I shared about my uncle, Jimmy Gilbert. I honored him by my participation in the 11 th annual 5K run/walk organized by the Shawnee County Suicide Prevention Coalition. The purpose of the race was to increase awareness and to honor those who have been lost to suicide.
This year I was unable to run the race because I went with 12 ladies from my church to a large gathering of women from Kansas and Nebraska for a two-day women’s conference. I celebrate the fact that mental health was the focus of the church conference. This was the first time I heard of a church women’s conference on mental health.
Our featured speaker was an author, Julie Busler, whose book “Joyful Sorrow: Breaking Through the Darkness of Mental Illness” tells of her own experience as a missionary in Turkey where she had to be hospitalized in a Turkish psychiatric hospital because of her suicide attempt. She had attempted to hide her depression that stemmed from the traumatic losses of both parents.
I appreciate the fact that she spoke of her depression as an illness, not a moral failure. She needed treatment with medication as well as skills to deal with her depression and PTSD. She mentioned one of my favorite authors, Marsha Linehan, and shared a technique that had helped her from the therapy that Marsha is known for—Dialectical Behavior Therapy or DBT. Julie shared how important her friends’ support was when she and her husband and children returned to the states. Their return was necessary for her to recover. She shares how her faith journey was bolstered by her in-depth study of the scriptures which was a vital part of the hope she has now.
Through the weekend, we had the opportunity to attend “connect sessions” with topics such as “Trauma: It’s not just a buzzword” where we learned that trauma changes the brain. This resource was recommended: “The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma,” by Bessel vander Kolk, M.D. We were asked to develop a “Personal Rest Strategy.”
At the session “Choosing Rest” we looked at various types of rest and where we are deficient. I identified with the need for mental and emotional rest. The following resource was recommended: “Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity,” by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith.”
In another session, we were encouraged to develop empathy skills rather than judge others, such as listening patiently without interruption. A website was given that encourages “Immanuel Journaling” in which we are shown a way to talk to God about our stress and hurts and then “listen” to what God might say to us. Check out this website:
Though there were heavy topics, we balanced our sessions with some fun. One was a “Bible Doodling” session in which we were encouraged to use the art materials to do something creative. Artist I am not, but this was my creation to organize my prayer requests and my gratitude lists.
Tables were set up in the gym toward the end of the conference for about a dozen “Minute to Win It” games. As I was going from table to table to either participate or cheer, I came face to face with a friend from Manhattan I hadn’t seen in about 25 years—so that added a lot to the fun I was already having.
The beautiful setting at the large conference center provided a great place to hike with friends. We took a long hike through a wooded area and were relieved that we found our way back to the large group session on time!
This is a story I had to tell—a reminder to work on having empathy—and an experience in which hope, education, and inspiration were the takeaways from a women’s church retreat on mental health.
If you or a loved one is struggling, you can reach the crisis hotline
by dialing 9-8-8.
For support and resources, check out Shawnee County Suicide Prevention Coalition.