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Mental illness is not something most of us think about—until someone close to us is affected, or we ourselves suffer from it. This month’s MAGNET has a direct look at it: the numbers, types, and causes, and a more detailed look at the commonest villain—depression.

Next month, we plan to look at another serious mental illness—schizophrenia, as experienced, for instance, by the brilliant scientist John Nash, who had frightening hallucinations. See more under Movie Reviews.

A tough task—to present the essential aspects of mental illness in a few pages, with practical tips on what to do. We allot four cover stories to the theme:

One: A clinical psychologist tells us the basics, and then explains depression in more detail.

Two: A family psychologist looks at how dysfunctional families impact the present and future of their children—and what all of us can do to help.

Three: Three cases of what today’s youngers face, and how to help them.

Four: True stories of healing, offering us hope from a wide range of helps.

Other articles offer competent practical info, as always.

Two new books whose authorship and topics will make them widely read.

Four movies on mental illness—two of them true stories, the other two based on facts. Good to realize that any of us could have been in the same terrifying boat, and feel grateful for the gift of mental health.

As always, we write, check, re-write, re-check, correct again—to make sure that what we put in your hands is possibly the best we can offer—and as good as the best available anywhere. This is what we are trying to do. Tell us how you find it.

Gone are the days when the local parish priest or mother superior were automatic experts and authorities! Today, so much useful info and wisdom are found free, in gripping videos, on the Net. Here are four such talks. See the huge number of people who have watched them! Want to watch them quietly, alone? Or with your family or religious community, and then discuss it? Apart from the helpful contents, we will also learn how to present serious information in a clear, concise and attractive way. In the media world, we, who belong to religious circles, are way behind the secular world and the familiar playground of the young.

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Fr Joe Mannath SDB

Editor

 

VIDEOS ON HANDLING DEPRESSION

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chE00kGtg48

Six ways to cure depression

2,351,893 views * 10 Jun 2017 * 11 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAdp3nT4BFA

What to do if you’re diagnosed with Depression

80,862 views * 30 Jan 2020 * 9.12 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHYo8YvhgkM#depression

7 Things to Avoid When Depressed

512,710 views * 23 Jun 2020 * 5.07 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb9g9mtDHZo&t=137s

How to Beat Fear and Anxiety | Jordan Peterson

769,743 views * 26 Jun 2019 * 5.52 minutes

COLUMNISTS TO MEET THIS MONTH

Crystal and Kevin Sullivan

Kevin’s experience includes: successful General Counsel working in insurance; multiple ministries to help couples preparing for marriage or already married; RCIA sponsor; religious education catechist, a bible study leader; writer of weekly Gospel reflections for his parish; active member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Pastoral Council. He graduated from the Called and Gifted Chicago Archdiocese Lay Ministry Formation Program. He is also a Field Delegate for the Archdiocesan Tribunal for those seeking annulments. He considers his active participation in the care of his four grandchildren one of his most rewarding and important vocations.

Crystal: After experiencing a life-changing conversion in 1982 (before which she had no interest in religion), Crystal became involved in the pre-marriage and marriage ministries, RCIA, Religious Education and Bible study leader. She has a Master’s degree in Pastoral Studies from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. She helped develop an ecumenical Prison Ministry program which gives retreats to women prisoners; is an active member of the Discipleship Group, which presents retreats and evangelizing programs. She too sees the help she provides in caring for their grandchildren one of her most rewarding accomplishments.

 

John was brought for psychotherapy by his wife. She said John was no longer the man he had been. He was refusing to go to office. He preferred to stay in bed the whole day. He had been very active and used to exercise daily. Now he has stopped all that. He takes bath only occasionally, and does not shave. Sometimes he talks of killing himself. She said she is scared he might do something drastic. That’s why she forced him to come for therapy. While the wife narrated all this, John sat slumped on the couch.  When the therapist asked him if he had anything to say, he just sat there silent…. In later sessions the therapist learned that John, who had been a very successful businessman, had made a disastrous investment decision, was on the verge of losing his business, and threatened with lawsuits.

Sr Dolores, 55 years old, was no longer her usual self. An excellent and well-appreciated teacher, she began to lose interest in teaching. Homework books began to pile up. Never one to miss community gatherings, she was now late even for prayers. She wasn’t eating much, and complained that she would often get up in the middle of the night and be crying for no reason. She complained of chest and stomach pains. Several visits to doctors and a number of tests found no organic (physical) reason for her pain.  On the physician’s recommendation, her provincial superior referred Sr Dolores for psychotherapy. The psychotherapist learned from the provincial superior that, about a year ago, a close friend of Sr Dolores, another sister in her congregation, had died in a jeep accident. During the course of therapy, Sr Dolores disclosed that her father had died in an accident when she was a junior sister. She had not been able to go home at that time and was not present for the funeral.

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FR JOSE PARAPPULLY SDB

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Ambivalent like life itself, our family is the cradle of our happiness—and our unhappiness. Although its impact on our personal development is not irreversible, given the helplessness and vulnerability of the newly born baby, as well as of the child and the adolescent, our early experiences get recorded in our memory and stay on for decades, either as “Guardian Angels” or as “Demons” that can help or destroy us, without our being aware how long they have been there, or even why. They stay on, however, making us believe that we are responsible for our past and our future, while, as a matter of fact, this freedom we dream of is largely a fantasy.

Home as Heaven

When our home is a heaven, as J. W. Chapman would put it, then our adult life is a backpack full of resources. If our experiences were of affection, of unconditional love, of adequate parental models, and of norms and guidelines that taught us to relate with mutual respect, our personal development proceeds on a smooth road towards worthwhile goals, and that, too, without too much waste of fuel. We may even think, with a bit of arrogance, that it is all our merit, but this is a minor fault, because, given the love we received at home, our links with the past will be full of gratitude, and our links to the future will be about caring for the next generation. This way, we also contribute to life by spreading goodness around us.

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Professor Adelina Gimeno

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Priya: What a Childhood!

Priya’s was born at a construction site. Her parents were illiterate manual labourers. Her mother had to return to work a few weeks after Priya was born. She carried Priya to her work place, nursed and attended to her needs during her breaks.  Being saddled with household duties and heavy work at the construction site, the mother had very little time to bond with Priya during her infancy and toddler years. In addition, Priya’s father was an alcoholic, who spent all his earnings on drinks. Though not abusive, he did not provide for the needs of the family; and hardly ever interacted with Priya. Priya grew malnourished. On a few occasions, when she was left unattended at home, she was sexually abused by a stranger. This happened when she was just six years old.

In her childhood, Priya’s family was constantly relocated to different construction sites. Thus, Priya did not have a stable home; nor could she be admitted to a regular school. She was occasionally tutored by NGO workers, but did not have a steady early education. Thus, when she was later admitted to a municipal-run school, she was unable to follow her teacher, or to read or to write. Her classmates looked down on her, since she was always restless, dreamy, unable to cope with her studies, and kept a distance. Disheartened, Priya dropped out of school in standard IV. Her mother then entrusted her with household work and care of her younger siblings.

Priya lived in make-shift sheds amidst unhygienic surroundings at construction sites; and sometimes did not even have a single wholesome meal a day. Her mother was unaware of vaccines. Thus, Priya was often ill, suffered from skin rashes and digestive ailments

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Fr Ajoy Fernandes SDB

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Here is a bit of my personal story, in case it helps any of you.

During and after my years of theological studies, I went through periods of depression. This was linked, among other factors, with my vocational search and lack of clarity. I experienced deep anxiety, fears, lack of interest, loss of confidence, inability to eat or sleep. There were times when I longed to find a trustworthy and helpful person with whom I could share my struggles.

The first reaction of a superior with whom I spoke was surprise. “You, of all people, having these doubts and fears?” I was considered successful, popular, and what not.

What helped me? Individual counselling and spiritual direction (hard to distinguish the two in real life) did. Counselling groups some of us set up in Pune, in which we shared our struggles and pains, did. The experience of God’s care and guidance did. The Word of God, which had not become real for me during the theology classes, became really real. God became more real, not simply a topic we discuss in class.

Looking back, all this was providential. My experience deepened my awareness of life, of the struggles of people, and made me more compassionate. People who looked confident and sounded boisterous and ready to laugh, proved to be persons with deep pain and unhealed wounds. There were occasions when we wept for one another. We realized too how superficial our relationships in community are. We often judge others, because we do not know their pain.

Later, in individual and group counselling, I became more aware of the painful and at times frightening experiences people go through. Some give up hope. Others see themselves as worthless. Some blame their past—parents, other family members, uncaring adults in their childhood. Others blame themselves.

Hardly anyone is as confident as he or she looks. Most carry hidden hurts. Many long for a word of appreciation. Hordes of others wonder whether anyone really loves them. Both in secular settings and in religious circles, most seem to feel wanted for their usefulness—for the work they do. Genuine love and real concern for others’ happiness seems to be in terribly short supply.

Therapy included not only warm and gentle sharing. There were hard and blunt encounters. I remember, for example, the tough way Fr Tony De Mello confronted me (and others)—in private and in public. It was hard, but good for me. Most people smile at us, pass superficial compliments (“Nice to see you!” “Happy New Year!” etc.), and then speak ill of us behind our back. In therapy, there is both tender support and direct, even brutal confrontation. We need both—and it is not easy to find people who care enough about us to both affirm and challenge us.

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Fr Joe Mannath SDB

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I am Sr Chandrika. This is my 12^th year after perpetual profession.  Three years after the perpetual profession, I attended an ongoing formation programme held in our province.  Last year, I attended a formation programme organized among three religious congregations.  This year, my provincial wants me to attend another formation programme organized by our congregation.  I have reminded her about the formation programme that I attended the previous year, yet she advises that I should participate in this one too.  I feel it a waste of time attending many such programmes rather than doing the entrusted ministry. 

During our discussion last month, we saw how diligent Religious are to be in continuing their spiritual, doctrinal and practical formation throughout their lives and the responsibility of the superiors to ensure that they provide opportunities for their members’ ongoing formation.  To perceive a deeper understanding of the matter, let us look into the Directives on Formation in Religious institutes, Potissimum institutioni, no. 70 dealing with the special times for ongoing formation.

Key Stages

The following are regarded as particularly significant stages:

• The passage from the initial formation to the first experience of a more independent life, in which a religious must discover a new way of being faithful to God;
• The completion of about ten years of perpetual profession, when the risk of life’s becoming “a habit” occurs with the consequent loss of all enthusiasm. After a certain period, it would be imperative that one should withdraw from ordinary life in order to “reread” it in the light of the Gospel and the mind of one’s founder. There are institutes that offer their members such a period of intensifying their religious life. This type of formation is known under various titles, such as, “third year,” “second novitiate,” “second probation,” etc. This formation takes place within a community of the institute.

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Sr Licia SMI

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Going through the Disaster Management Act 2005 (DMA – 2005), we have seen the authorities and funds created under the law.  Now we focus our attention on the offences and penalties under the Act and other matters related to it.

Offences Under the Law:

Sections 51 to 58 of the Act lay down what constitutes an offence in terms of obstruction of functions under the Act, false claim for relief, misappropriation of relief materials or funds, issuance of false warning, failure of an officer to perform the duty imposed on him under the Act without due permission or lawful excuse or his connivance at contravention of the provisions of the Act.  The clauses also provide for penalties for these offences.

Obstruction & Disobedience:

A person who obstructs any officer or employee in the discharge of his functions under this Act or refuses to comply with any direction given by or on behalf of him under this Act commits an offence.  On conviction, such person shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term up to one year or with fine, or with both.  If such obstruction or refusal to comply with directions results in loss of lives or imminent danger thereof, the convicted person shall be punishable with imprisonment  up to two years.

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Fr Ravi Sagar SJ

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Every legal entity (Society or Trust) is established by its promoters to carry out certain set aims, goals or objectives. The promoters have in mind a certain purpose to be achieved and this purpose is called as the objective/s of the entity.  The purpose or objective is the reason for bringing the entity into existence. The object clause is very important and constitutes the heart of the constitution (memorandum of association or trust deed) of the entity.

Charitable & Religious Purposes

The Societies Registration Act 1860 was promulgated with an intention to enable members of the public to carry on literary, scientific and charitable activities by registering themselves into a Society.  These activities included the promotion of literature, science, fine arts, diffusion of useful knowledge (including political education), charitable and religious purposes. The “charitable purposes” were: relief of poverty, education and other purposes beneficial to the community. “Religious purpose” covered the advancement of religion (Hindu Public v. Rajdhani Puja Samithee AIR 1999 Supreme Court 964). Accordingly, a society can be registered for carrying on any or all of the following objectives: military orphan fund; promotion of science, literature, fine arts; diffusion of useful knowledge; foundation and/or maintenance of public libraries or reading-rooms, public museums and galleries of paintings and art; collection of natural history, mechanical and philosophical inventions, instruments, or designs.  These objects or purposes mentioned above are only illustrative and not exhaustive.

“Charitable”: Meaning and Seven Areas

The word, “charitable” has been widely defined, and is understood in many ways. The Gospel or Christian understanding of charity is very broad and captured in the all-embracing statements, such as, “love for neighbour” and “whatever you do to the least of my brothers / sisters you do it unto me.” The Supreme Court (in the case Lokashikshna Trusts Vs CIT) stated “Charity denotes altruistic thoughts and actions with the object of benefitting others, without benefitting oneself.” Further, various laws and courts in India have, from time to time, clarified the understanding of charity through the legal framework and decisions. Hence the legal understanding of the concept of charity is different from a personal or religious understanding. The legal definitions and decisions and not my personal or religious understanding will be the final word on charity, and this will be applicable to a Society or Trust.

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Fr Trevor D’Souza OFM  

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Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! 2020 has gone on its way!!!

I have to say I am a little amused by all of those who spent the last month of the year looking forward to year’s end as if somehow on January 1st everything would magically return to normal. It might have been refreshing if the longing was grounded in a newfound hope and faith in the Lord. However, almost universally it seemed to come from a sense of fatigue with the disruption and inconvenience to their daily lives. Most had not lost any family members or jobs or become ill themselves.  They were just becoming tired of no longer having control over their daily activities and those of their children.  They just had the universal belief that 2021 was going to be, somehow, magically, much better.  Needless to say it didn’t take long for that illusion to disappear in the United States.  Within the first week of the year, the frustrations and divisions that became the hallmarks of 2020 for so much of our country boiled over into a sad and demoralizing display of civil unrest. Instead of rising up and getting to work on a new and .better day, the nation has quickly sunk deeper into the divisive and political bickering that was always brewing under the guise of differing approaches to responding to the COVID-19 crisis. With the ‘gloves off’ we have quickly recognized that we have challenges well beyond this pandemic.

A Chance to Re-focus

The ever-growing crisis of division was as much a hallmark of 2020 as was COVID-19. To think that a change in the calendar would make a difference is foolish. As we look forward to the coming year, we do so with open eyes and with a recognition that the challenges to Gospel living remain significant. We do ourselves and others a disservice if we don’t take advantage of the lessons that 2020 presented us.  I like to think of 2020 as nearly year-long retreat experience.  On retreat we get a chance to refocus. We remove ourselves from our daily routines and are given the opportunity to examine how we are living our lives and to explore how we might better discover pathways to joy and peace.  Even for those not directly infected with the virus, COVID-19 definitely disrupted daily living. With so many of our daily activities eliminated or severely restricted, we found ourselves staying much closer to home. And much like on retreat, we had plenty of time alone to pray and ponder our life’s journey. As I intimated last month, there are good things we can take away from our 2020 experiences.  As we head into the real world of 2021, perhaps we can do so strengthened by things we have experienced and learned over the past year.

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KEVIN

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What would you do if you were listening to a homily during which the priest-homilist says, “My wife used to tell me…”? Well, that is exactly what this priest used to say so often during his homilies. Those who didn’t know about his fascinating journey to priesthood would giggle and look around, but that didn’t bother him.

Probo Vaccarini, an Italian born on 4 June 1919, studied mathematics. He joined the Italian army and, during World War II, fought in Russia. After the war, he became a surveyor. His friend, who had fought along with him in Russia, was a handsome guy and apparently had everything a young man would aspire for. But he always looked distressed, dejected and uninterested in anything. But, after some time, Probo was surprised to see him transformed—happy, cheerful and energetic. When Probo asked him for the secret, he told him about the confession he had made to Padre Pio, the Capuchin priest, who was immensely popular as a confessor and a spiritual guide—now  St Pio of Pietrelcina. The friend suggested that he too should go and meet the saintly Padre.

Probo followed his friend’s advice and went to meet Padre Pio. He was so impressed and touched that he made him his regular confessor. Once,   when Probo asked him what he should do with his life, Padre Pio told him he should get married and have a “big and holy family.”  An amused and puzzled Probo said, “Big is easy, but holy …?” When he met him again to tell him he still remained unmarried, Padre Pio told him to get moving.

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Fr M A Joe Antony SJ

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