April 2023 Newsletter – Discovering Hope

"Hope is an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one's life or the world at large. As a verb, its definitions include: "expect with confidence" and "to cherish a desire with anticipation". 
(Wikipedia definition of Hope)

What is Hope in Grow? Hope of Recovery

Hope is everywhere in Grow. Hope that things will get better – no matter where your starting point is. My first experience of Hope was hearing people’s stories in those first Grow groups I attended. A number of people explained how they felt hope from day one. When they came to that first meeting and they realised they were not the only one. They weren’t on their own anymore. While there was still a lot of work to be done on the Recovery Journey – The relief was there for us all to see. A change in the faces of those who now had a sense of Hope.

I felt it personally when the hand of friendship was extended after I shared in my group an issue with family disagreement. I felt very alone being the only girl in my family and as my parents were no longer with us. I felt hopeless as I couldn’t fix it – it wasn’t my disagreement and being the youngest (and only girl) I wasn’t really heard in all the noise. All I could kept thinking was my parents would be devastated – they didn’t bring us up like this. My Group where a huge support – they listened and shared phone numbers and offered to meet for coffee – this over time restored my faith in people and I became Hopeful again.
When people feel Hope again it is a huge step on the road to recovery realising you are now part of a community called Grow.

Grow Mental Health’s Vision in action:
"An Ireland where no one needs to navigate mental health challenges or life’s struggles alone."

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES: A Review of the Mullingar Community Education Program
by John Madden, Area Coordinator, Grow Midlands Region

Pictured: Midlands Area Coordinator, John Madden and Joanne Naughton, Social Prescriber for Athlone, and Patrick Jones from the National Office for Suicide Prevention

As the CEP in Westmeath came to a very successful end on 29th March, it became far more obvious than ever that things are really reverting back to old norms. Westmeath had organised CEPs in late 2022 but in hindsight, it is now clear that there was still widespread anxiety and reluctance within many to re-emerge from the prudent and cautious behaviour of recent years owing to the impact of COVID–19. In 2022, it was difficult to fill front-row seats whereas, in 2023, more chairs were needed; a true sign of the times and a welcome one too.

Over the 4 weeks, attendees had the opportunity to hear from a range of crucially important topics from “Living a Happy and Content Life” to “Suicide Awareness in the Community”. All of which were heavily attended and garnered incredibly positive feedback.

A key theme emerged from speaking with attendees afterward; how far we as a country have come in regard to the provision of care in mental health. Yes, we have come a long way but we still have a long way to go. However, as more people attend this kind of event, ask questions, and learn, not just from the speakers but also from each other, we as a nation may get there. Rome was not built in a day but the conversation keeps going. It is the day that we are silent that we should fear the most, but reflecting on the CEPs in Mullingar, that day may never come, thankfully.
       
Midlands Coordinator, John Madden and Award Winning Psychotherapist, Brian Walsh MIACP and john Madden, Author John Lonergan and Psychotherapist and Gorw Area Coordinator Caroline Crotty.

There will be more CEPs in Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, and Longford happening over the coming months so if you are interested, please don’t hesitate in reaching out to Grow Area Coordinators in their respective areas. Information on the next Tullamore CEP can be found here.

HOPE
by Jonathan, Grow Member Eastern Region  
Most stories, whether film or book, fairy tale or myth, are journeys of hope. The baddie gets his comeuppance. The monster is slain. The world is saved. The heroine comes from rags to riches. The hero gets the girl. Even dark tragic stories are cautionary tales so hopefully, we will be wiser and not go down that path.

The story of hope starts from “home”, everyday life that’s unsatisfactory or without meaning, a wasteland. A job is boring or is lost, a marriage ends, a sickness begins. The protagonist gets a call from the “Universe” to a dangerous but hopeful journey. It takes courage to embark on the journey. Often we hesitate and the Universe keeps knocking on our door or kicks us in the behind. We travel down into the darkness. Once on our way doors will open where previously there were only walls. Friends, allies, and wise mentors come our way. We will fight inner “demons” and overcome outer obstacles. There will be trials and we will be tested, but we hopefully grow. Finally, we resurrect and return to life, but we are not the same person that set out. We are a new person that can renew life for others too. That is the Hope.

It’s the growth in the protagonist that makes these stories satisfying. They are every woman and every man with flaws. They grow in virtue, consciousness, and wisdom, and from one state of being into a larger new state of being. A deeper place of maturity. These stories need to be retold in a new way in each generation to keep the hope alive and vital.