Druidry and mental health

[Morganna]

I work in the mental health field in social care. I haven't noticed much talk about healing with regards to mental health; when it will effect each of us at some point in out lives one way or another. I admit I go around with my eyes closed so feel free to point me in the right direction if there is already a discussion.

I come across so many service users who have depression and anxiety that I think if only I could show you some work with crystals or some meditation. But then again, when people are feeling so down they can't even do that for themselves. It is so debilitating.

I am just curious as to what other healers do for depression and other mental health conditions, whether it be for themselves or others? Do you find it can almost be contagious or in your genetics? Or is that just from practicing what you witness?

It is so common these days on such a huge level; what is the answer?

[Muddy Fox]

I don't think there is an all encompassing answer as we are all unique and one person's trigger to anxiety and depression will be totally different to the next. Some people have naturally higher coping capabilties, so what could be trivial to you or I is a major challenge for them and vice versa.
As a complementary therapist I see a lot of anxiety/mild depression linked disorders, not so many severely depressed as you say they will probably not be in the frame of mind to seek out a therapist for help. Also I have found that talk of a spiritual nature ie crystals, Angel/Tarot cards therapies etc is probably not always wise if someone is feeling disorientated and actually adds to their anxiety. If I am very concerned I always advise people to go and see their GP, not that I write them off, but would always prefer to work with the knowledge and consent of their GP or Pyschiatrist In many cases we have to obtain written permission from their GP before we can work with them. That goes for other conditions such as cancer etc as well. And we are not allowed to tell anyone to stop taking any medication that they have been prescribed by their GP, without discussion and consent from their GP.
Aromatherapy, reflexology and reiki seem to help the most and just having an hour in a warm room, with nice music, nice smells and someone to listen to your concerns is hugely beneficial.
I have not suffered from severe depression and have never taken medication for any mental disorder although I was prescribed sedatives for PTS many years ago. I ceased taking those after a couple of days because they caused tiredness and I had young children, my youngest was 3 years old and I had a part time job. I found that music, and walking in the fresh air helped me to cope. And now I use those two things plus running if I feel burn out coming on. I find if I am feeling really bad my concentration goes, so I cannot read, pray or meditate. Since my divorce several years ago I am afflicted with bouts of insomnia, and I just have to go with it as I would not take sleeping pills.
So trial and error as it always is with complementary therapies.

[Morganna]

I agree with your suggestions and this is what my service provides. Therapies in the home or another setting and a mindfulness group. It is great and I hope we keep getting the funding to run it.

But I find some people I see; I wish I could offer them soul retrieval and talking therapies. Discussion on herbs and how to manage it more long term. What are the views of people's energy systems who have a tendancy towards a mental health condition. I guess I am looking for more knitty gritty something. I see people wrapped up in unbelievable pain and anguish until they are numb. We may recognise this from bereavements etc but what about when this hasn't been an issue? Multiple suicide attempts, when they feel there is nothing to live for or it will never get better. But the shell of the person still carries on.

We focus so much on the physical health of which we can see, yet the mental which we can't is even more fragile than our bodies. Are these feelings purely our own manifestations? Absorbed from other people, envirnment or workplace? Tests we have to pass and thrive from? Any thoughts?

[Muddy Fox]

As I said I would be very cautious about discussing things of a spiritual nature with someone who has a mental health problem. I used to work from a healing centre which was run by volunteers and we had a couple of ladies who came to work on reception for us, they were referred to us by a mental health support group who thought it would be good for them to start reintegrating into the community/workplace. One of the ladies had a history of multiple suicide attempts, she was fine working with the public but one of the other volunteers not realising that she had mental health problems did an Angel card reading for her. I find the Angel cards quite positive and life enhancing, there is nothing "dark" about them but there was one card in the reading that said "your loved ones are always protected or watched over by Angels", or something to that effect. The lady in question took this as a sign that she should try suicide again because she need not worry about her family after she had gone. It took days of talking through this with her afterwards, and I thought it was highly irresponsible. I remember at the time that she would focus on anything anybody said about healing and guides etc and twist it round. It got to the point when nothing of a spiritual nature could be discussed in her prescence. So I'm not so sure but then I am not medically trained in the mental health field.

[Morganna]

No I don't have those discussions with my service users as it isn't appropriate or what the service is about. I am just in a musing mood I guess.

Thanks for your thoughts

[treegod]

I have several family member that suffer from depression at some point or another, so I don't think it's inherited (genetically we might be "more inclined to it, but that doesn't mean we will have it).

From my own experience of depression and anxiety within me and in those around me (more anxiety than depression for me) the problem has been a problem with dealing with emotions. Emotions are strong and overwhelming; if we aren't taught from an early age to let their "energy flow" in a healthy, balanced and non-destructive way then its very easy to fall into extremes of emotion, like anxiety or depression. Then there are just times when we are in such intense situations that intense emotions

When you're in those states of mind its very difficult to get out, and I'm not sure if there are any sure answers healing these. For me it has been a great help to have people to communicate with, more than meditation, crystals or angels readings. Communication and expression, I think, are what resolve these problems, but healthy, balanced and non-destructive communication, not just "any old communication". Bad communication and expression can be just as bad as not communicating or expressing ourselves.

I'm not a qualified professional, so can't speak with any authority on this subject, nor give proper advice nor councelling. This is just a reflection on my own experiences.

[Morganna]

When I say genetically, I think I mean DNA or karma or something of that nature. A lesson a family have to learn. My niece who lives with me has bi polar, my sister and partner have also had depression as well as myself at one stage. We are a sensitive family and can live in the past so I know some of it would come from this as well as illnessess that have this as a symptom.

[treegod]

I think, really, that all families are naturally sensitive, deep down we all have feelings. It's just some have managed to hide them well, or developed (read been conditioned) to just ignore them. And then problems start happening... :/

[illion]

I believe in "walking in the wilderness" as a therapy form. My family has always used it.

My grandfather used to take long walks with several people that he knew had problems with depression and anxiety. He took them to the mountains, let them watch and feel the stillness of the mountain lakes, and let them smell a lot of fresh air. He said that in the mountains, they could feel alive, they came close to the sun and could watch all the living creatures, and it wouldn't take long until they felt at one with the nature. They realized that they should appreciate life.

My great grandfather walked the same paths and said: "This is my church".

When I get sad or upset, then I run into the woods. After a long journey I always find solutions. I usually walk a large circular route, and the first half of it I use to complain, cry and ask mother earth for advice. I can count on that every time I do this, I will get the answers on my way back. If you don't want to bring spirituality to it, it helps to just be with the trees.

Many doctors prescribe what they call a "green receit" where patients gets off their work for a while and out in the forest.

[treegod]

I agree Illion. I've even seen studies about how non-human environments can alleviate our problems.

[Kima]

I believe in "walking in the wilderness" as a therapy form. My family has always used it.

I would encourage that, as well as contact with animals and plants. Also engaging in creative activities, especially outside whenever possible. The Awen can be found in the simplest things.

The way I have learnt to deal with depression is through meditation, not attached to any religion or spirituality but along the lines defined by Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). You can have a look at the main website: http://www.mbct.com/ However, it is not recommended for people who are in the thrall of depression but is directed towards those already in remission. The programme has thoroughly changed the way in which I relate to emotions, especially distressing ones, and it is my main ressource to avoid relapse. I now practice it very independantly and have included a few druidic elements, but MBCT remains the practice I most rely on.

Your questions about tarot reminded me of a book I have (partly) read, called "Tarot and Psychology: Spectrums of Possibility" by Arthur Rosengarten which explains how the author has used tarot in therapy. Often, he would not offer readings to patients but use the cards to encourage reflection and discussion in more unusual ways. While it could be a starting point for you, I would still be wary of imposing tarot on people who are already fragile: its imagery is often intense and calls on to the unconscious in a way that can be hard to predict. Also, as someone with an Evangelical education, I can tell you that some people are terribly afraid of the tarot and will have a violent reaction to it as they associate divination with the devil (not that it makes etymological sense - don't ask me ).

[illion]

I used to give tarot readings for others some time ago. Some said it was of tremendously help, that it even helped them more than their psychologies could, but then there was these persons who just blocked anything they didn't want to hear, twisted every advice they had into something that would benefit their wishes.

My experience is that tarot can help me a lot when I need advice in difficult situations, but I've stopped doing it for others. I rather tell them that I can teach them how to use the cards themselves. I believe that when you are trained enough to do the good readings, you are also ready to cope with the answers you get.

[Aigeann]

I believe in "walking in the wilderness" as a therapy form. My family has always used it.

My grandfather used to take long walks with several people that he knew had problems with depression and anxiety. He took them to the mountains, let them watch and feel the stillness of the mountain lakes, and let them smell a lot of fresh air. He said that in the mountains, they could feel alive, they came close to the sun and could watch all the living creatures, and it wouldn't take long until they felt at one with the nature. They realized that they should appreciate life.

My great grandfather walked the same paths and said: "This is my church".

When I get sad or upset, then I run into the woods. After a long journey I always find solutions. I usually walk a large circular route, and the first half of it I use to complain, cry and ask mother earth for advice. I can count on that every time I do this, I will get the answers on my way back. If you don't want to bring spirituality to it, it helps to just be with the trees.

Many doctors prescribe what they call a "green receit" where patients gets off their work for a while and out in the forest.

It sounds perfect (but I realize that for everyone YMMV)

[shirley mclaren]

Cannot say I get depressed ever, but a bit "down" sometimes. As a real Cancer sign and child of the moon, this is, more often than not, tied to the moon phases. I just tend to wait it out, and it passes. Apart from that, get out into the wide open spaces and thank the goddess for the good things you have.

BB

Shirley

[Heddwen]

The Marsha Linehan mindfulness programme has had excellent results. I think its well worth keeping up the practise and on a meditational level I have benefited personally in the programme and try to keep it up for my druidic practise. I can vouch for the benefits of a mindful nature walk. Its cheap therapy too!

[Simon Gwion]

I have personally been a sufferer of Bi-polar disorder for over twenty years now and within the unpredictable boundaries that this dis-ease throws up, I have been a follower of a Earth Based (and in more recent times, a Druid) Spiritual path for the majority of these. I would like to share with you if i may, the following entry from my blog which highlights the frequent issues and dilemmas which I face. It would be wonderful to connect with others in the hope of gleaning an insight into how they perhaps introduce coping mechanisms to allow them to follow their own paths as I have scoured the internet but have found very little literature...

Manic Depression is perplexing.

Winston Churchill called it his 'Black Dog', a metaphor suggestive of 'Man's (or Woman's) best friend', an overzealous, playful, loving companion, but unfortunately with a propensity to plunge in it's teeth when least expected. That may seem a little over-exaggerated but hopefully serves as a lucid description of what I myself have suffered for over twenty five years, (much of the time without accurate diagnoses). Moods are erratic, often in rapid cycles which fluctuate between feelings verging on euphoric at one end of the spectrum and a paralysis of despair at the other. So what is the hope of maintaining a Spiritual continuum within such unpredictable boundaries?

When my moods are high my whole being is in overdrive...mind racing, thoughts tripping one over another and words spilling from my mouth in an endless drawl. It inevitably becomes wearing very quickly and all though you would imagine surges in spiritual awareness and creative activity they tend to be fruitless. The positive intention is infinite yet crippling in any practical sense.

When my mood slips into the hopelessness realm then I wallow in self hate, self absorption, inactivity. I stare at my simple altar unable to even bring myself to light a candle and if I do, my ritual seems empty, my thoughts and words appear automatic and lacking commitment.

The following section was written whilst I was living in Shetland but typifies the inability to connect Spiritually with the deepest of natural beauty and Ancestral energy... when shackled in the throes of a long-term depressive episode...

"...I live in a beautiful place both immediate and overall, yet during these times I enter into periods of reclusion, my cats lack the usual pampering, the hens appear merely as greedy scavengers, I hate the weather when I should rejoice in it's diversity. Furthermore I live at the very edge of a 'voe' (inlet of the sea) and often watch otters, Canada geese, heron, wading birds and seals which lie for hours on a pier at the end of my garden. Surely Spirit has blessed me. However when the 'black dog' pervades the abundance of animal, plant and minerals, interaction with earth, water and air and the subtle changes in light count for little, and this saddens me knowing that I can so easily become numb to the richness that Mother Earth has placed within my sight..."

And yet I persevere, longing for days where my mood allows glimpses into oneness with Gaia,...

"And in the love of all Existences, the love of Spirit and all Creation"

Over the past few years things have improved but still have elements of unpredictability. I don't take my Earth centered spirituality for granted, I work with it when I can in the hope of understanding. Believe me I don't merely dip in and out when my mood takes me, (or not with conscious) intention, endeavoring to keep a consistent approach to Honouring, Celebration, Ritual and Earthly, Deity and Ancestral reverence. I involve myself in ecological and environmental issues, whether supporting international causes in the most effective way I can, or heading out with a bag to gather litter from my locality. And this is not done to gain brownie points to appease my Goddesses and God but to constantly re-affirm my commitment to my Spiritual beliefs despite the 'sticks' that my mind put into the spokes...!

And now I reside in an unspoiled rural domain once again and with relish I stride fervently down to my Grove to renew my inner and outward reverence for Deity, and the Divine. And yet within that sanctum, how often my words are rich with poetic inflection while my mind is rife with self-hate and loathing and my stomach knotted with the anguish of knowing my path, but consciously realizing that my mental frame has temporarily interrupted the connection to my Spiritual 'server' sometimes necessitating a complete shut down.

However it is not not an issue of struggling with 'darkness' as both 'light' and 'dark' are in my opinion an inherent part of 'Nature' and the nature of the 'Human Soul' and if embraced with equilibrium, will not thrive with any harmful consequence... for how can we measure light without a balance of dark... having lived in Shetland and experience both in the virtual perpetuation in 'day' and 'night' with almost only two distinct seasons, I can advocate the necessity of balance...

Yet the introduction of medication and the opportunity for a 'chemically controlled' equilibrium has not adequately provided me a long term solution. Yes, it narrows the emotional spectrum in which I function, but whilst elevating my mood from the depths of despair in which I may contemplate and question my very existence to the point of self-harm, (and believe me actual experience is not recommended...!) it also consumes the elevated moods which nurture my creativity... and a Bard without such is akin to a bike without wheels...

Each day I awake... and I search for an answer... as I have each day for over half my life so far... perhaps I should allow the tides to work unhindered for a period and see on which shore my boat will ground itself...

I thank you for taking time to read this and hope it offers an 'experiential' view of Druidry and mental health.

With love and Brightest Blessings
Si x

[Ses]

When I suffered from depression around two years ago, my mum too me to have a reflexology at the local holistic centre which helped me considerably, so now I'm wanting to learn Reiki to help others

[Muddy Fox]

I read on Yahoo news this week that a psychiatric board or panel in the Uk, you can look it up for yourselves is looking at passing some kind of judgement as to what qualifies an individual to be labelled as having mental health problems. I think this is borne again from a monetary/control angle. Anyhoo the classifications being put forward to identify such individuals are "shy" children, the depressed following a recent bereavement, anyone with addictions, including addictive internet use, and so on and so forth. So from experience in a therapist capacity and in light of the above criteria, I would say that 80 percent of us have mental health issues. So to whose advantage is it to label others in such a way?

[Heddwen]

I read on Yahoo news this week that a psychiatric board or panel in the Uk, you can look it up for yourselves is looking at passing some kind of judgement as to what qualifies an individual to be labelled as having mental health problems. I think this is borne again from a monetary/control angle. Anyhoo the classifications being put forward to identify such individuals are "shy" children, the depressed following a recent bereavement, anyone with addictions, including addictive internet use, and so on and so forth. So from experience in a therapist capacity and in light of the above criteria, I would say that 80 percent of us have mental health issues. So to whose advantage is it to label others in such a way?

Especially when charities such as 'Mind' work so hard to try and reduce the stigma

[Al Hakim]

I agree with your suggestions and this is what my service provides. Therapies in the home or another setting and a mindfulness group. It is great and I hope we keep getting the funding to run it.
We focus so much on the physical health of which we can see, yet the mental which we can't is even more fragile than our bodies. Are these feelings purely our own manifestations? Absorbed from other people, envirnment or workplace? Tests we have to pass and thrive from? Any thoughts?

Hi Morganna,

I think the most important access to such patients is to listen carefully. My theory is that every person wishes to maintain a certain place in his world. Many people are afraid to claim that posting. As a third person we do not have the power to provide new jobs or activities, but we can convince the individual that he/she is strong enough to fight for his/her way. Many people lack of a clear goal: Let's give them one. Let's stay aware that such goals do not always reflect our opinion of the best option possible. But our best option needs not be the best option for other persons.