October 4th-10th is Mental Illness Awareness Week. My mentor and internship supervisor, Craig Rennebohm of the Mental Health Chaplaincy, wrote the following prayer in honor of the week:
We pray for all who struggle with brain injuries, mental illness, addictions, trauma, and abuse; for all who are fearful and anxious, and for all who suffer in the health of their self and personhood.
We pray for our families in their love and care and limits as they seek to provide relief and foster recovery for loved ones.
We pray for counselors, nurses, doctors, therapists, psychologists, social workers, and case managers, for their good training; and for the administrators and support staff of mental health centers, clinics, and hospitals.
We pray for our neighborhoods, that in every community there may be effective outreach, doors that open readily to care, supportive housing, meaningful work, and opportunities to share in sport, craft, art, and fellowship.
We pray for our public servants, representatives, and leaders, that they may organize effective systems of service and care, blending well the strengths and power of local, county, state, national, and world resources, both public and private.
We pray for institutions of research and learning, sot hat the human community may advance in its understanding nad treatment of mental disorders.
We pray for the conditions of peace, justice, and harmony necessary to the health of us all.
We pray for this congregation, and for all communities of faith, that we may continually take up the work of healing and care as we each are able.
We pray that each may have a home, that all may rest safely and be well.