Family and Friends

🌷 Choose to bloom 🌷

Take one of NAMI-NYC's free mental health classes this spring and gain valuable coping skills. You will learn how to prioritize your mental health, express your needs, and navigate NYC’s healthcare system.

Whether you are living with a mental illness or are supporting a loved one who deals with mental health challenges, these classes are for you. Sign up today: naminyc.org/classes

#MentalHealth #classes #FamilyAndFriends

¡Padres y cuidadores, esto es para USTEDES! ✨

Únanse a NAMI-NYC para una presentación especial en línea de Hablemos el martes 5 de mayo, de 6:00 a 7:00 p. m. Escuche al Dr. Ezequiel Lafont compartir herramientas para ayudar a la salud mental de su hijo, y a Mariana Pinanez compartir su experiencia con los desafíos de salud mental durante su juventud. Regístrense aquí: www.eventbrite.com/e/hablemos-lets-talk-tickets-1986451037527

✨ Parents and caregivers, this one’s for YOU! ✨

Join NAMI-NYC for a special Hablemos presentation online on Tuesday, May 5, 6-7 PM. Hear from Ezequiel Lafont MD share tools to help your child’s mental health and Mariana Pinanez share her experience with mental health challenges as a youth. Sign up here: www.eventbrite.com/e/hablemos-lets-talk-tickets-1986451037527

#MentalHealth #FamilyAndFriends #Caregiving

I cant imagine the anguish and fear that the disciples must have felt after the events of good Friday. Jesus had been killed in the most cruel and violent way. Their hopes and dreams were shattered. The plans they had had been shredded. Where do they go now?

Sometimes we can have our own Friday experience. And there seems to be no hope anywhere. But hang onto hope, because Sunday is coming. The pioneers of all the worlds major religion had this in common, they all died. And stayed that way. Christianity though is centred around the death AND resurrection of Jesus. Easter Sunday assures us we have a well founded expectation and hope. Happy Easter.

#Depression #Hope #Relationships #FamilyAndFriends #Anxiety #MentalHealth

Made this very simple graphic as a guide for family members #FamilyAndFriends

Well-being is built through small choices that care for your mind and body.

#MentalHealth #selfcare #FamilyAndFriends

I watched a documentary this week about a family who believed their Dad walked out of their life when they were young children. They carried that wound for decades. A years ago their world was upended when the body of their father was found buried and police confirmed he had actually been murdered.

The true story is told of an alcoholic man who had two sons. One son became an out of control alcoholic as well. The other son never touched alcohol. When both were asked why they chose the paths they did they both gave the same answer, “What do you expect with a father like mine”.

For a long time I was angry and bitter with my parents. They were supposed to nurture their children and to some extent they did. However, my childhood was at times horrendous due to S.abuse and extreme violence including being burnt.

One day it hit me. I could continue to see myself as a victim and be trapped in a vicious cycle of anger and pain, or I could commit myself to doing what I could do to help others find healing and a better life.

It’s been a process. A long process. One where I have had to face some uncomfortable truths. I have also learnt many facts about my parents that have helped understand some of their life’s journey. Unfortunately all these facts surfaced after they both had died.

I learnt my Mum shot and killed my Grandfather to save the life of her Mum and an unborn baby. Her Dad was well known to police and she was never prosecuted for the killing. It was ruled self defence and the police were actually happy he was taken out.

My Dad was abandoned as a baby and was told his Mum died giving birth to him. A guilt he carried for decades. However when he was 50 he was notified his Mum had just died. For 50 years she had been in a psychiatric facility, why, nobody seems to know.

Getting past your past is not easy. It can be extremely painful and challenging. Choosing not to be a victim strips the power away from our abusers.

Over the years I have financed numerous charities and services here in Australia and overseas. Sometimes people on the receiving end will wax lyrical about my generosity. I appreciate their sentiments but the truth is I have chosen that life because it helps me heal.

Where are you in your journey of healing?

In 1999 a fellow Pastor rang me and asked me to go with him to Thailand. The trip was in 3 weeks. I said “I would pray about it”. Which meant I had no intention of going but I didn’t want to sound unspiritual.

It became clear God wanted me to go so I went. For 10 days we worked non stop. The night before coming home I was asked to speak one more time. I was exhausted and protested. Finally I agreed to go and would speak one last time.

For a long time before the trip I had been praying to have a true friend. One that would be there for both good and bad times. One I could be transparent with.

After I spoke, everyone there asked me to pray for them. I prayed short, to the point prayers for everyone. Yet, I was drawn back to one guy. I asked him if he struggled with this area of life, that I specified to him. He was shocked and asked how I knew. I explained God had revealed this to me because I could help him.

We became best friends. Many years ago when I first faced mental health issues he jumped on a plane and came to Australia to see me. We are always completely honest and accountable to each other. I would die for him.

Through the busyness of life we have not seen each other for 7 years. Until yesterday. He was in Manila on a business trip. I was flying into Manila after our ministry in Davao.

We got to meet for one hour before he left The Philippines. What a precious miracle. To be able to hug, talk and laugh. One beautiful hour. If I hadn’t gone to Thailand when I did. If I had rested on the last night. I could have missed our friendship. I am so grateful!

As we continue to visit The Philippines it’s been quite confronting and also very fulfilling. Yesterday we visited some families living in the slums of Davao. When we were here 3 years ago we established a program of support for these families and it was very emotional to go back and see how the children have grown and thrived.

We can’t help everyone. We can help some though and we must. We continue to explore micro industries we can fund to generate income for these families and give them control of their destiny.

The thing that never ceases to amaze me is how happy these people are. They know what matters. It’s not status or social media likes. Its relationships. It’s gratitude for everything. These people inspire and challenge me.

Some people mistakenly believe that being in hospital is restful. It’s not far from it. Here is the usual routine from my last hospital stay.

2 am Observations
6am Observations
7am Team handover
7:30am Shower
8am Breakfast arrives
8:30 Nurse brings fresh towels
9am Exercise rehabilitation
10am Observations
10:30 am Morning tea delivered to room
11:00 am Menu is delivered for the next day
11:00 am Cleaner comes
11:30 am Nurse changes my sheets
12:00 lunch is delivered
1 pm Lunch tray collected
2pm observations
2:15 Visit from family
2:30pm Afternoon tea
2:50pm Handover to afternoon shift
3:00pm Doctor visits and asks lots of questions
3:30pm Exercise Rehabilitation class
5:00pm Return to room, exhausted
5:30pm Observations
6:00pm Dinner is served
7:00pm Dinner tray removed
8:00pm Tea and Coffee served
9:30pm Observations
10:30pm Handout to Night shift

The thing I realised once I was home was how important all of these people were. The people who delivered my meals were as valuable the nurses. My interactions with the cleaners were friendly and positive.

Then it occurred to me. Me getting well required a multi disciplined team. Surgeons, Doctors, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists etc.
as well as numerous auxiliary staff.

When my mental health has needed attention it’s been a variety of people who have gotten me to a place of health. Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Nurses, GPs, Family and Friends, Church leaders, etc.

The common denominator in all these situations has been the acknowledging the need for help. Thank God for so many people willing to help others.

Rehab was hard work this morning. Which is great news. It’s a sign my body is recovering, in fact the readings of movement in my leg showed a lot of improvement in the past 2 weeks.

While exercising I overheard an elderly lady who was quite distressed that she couldn’t go to hydrotherapy at 10:30 instead of 11:15 as the class was full. She had another appointment today so needed the change.

I approached her and offered to swap sessions with her as I have no appointments until 3pm. She almost started crying. Such a simple thing to bless someone.

I used my available time to go to the hospital cafe for a much needed macchiato. The waitress brought me my coffee and said, “I have drawn you in the coffee”. I looked down at the coffee and she says, “That is you, Mr Smiley”.

What a unique and unexpected blessing. Today is panning out so well.