Listening to lived experience - #WMHD23

"The World Federation for Mental Health celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.

The Federation was founded in 1948, the same year the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN General Assembly. This has inspired the theme of World Mental Health Day 2023: ‘mental health is a universal human right’. Article 1 of the UN’s Declaration states: ‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.’

Mental health support, like that provided by CrossReach, is a vital part of realising this vision.

According to Public Health Scotland, mental health disorders remain one of the leading causes of disease and injury in our country.

Understanding of mental health has progressed enormously in 75 years. But consciousness - on which reason, conscience and community rely - remains a mystery. Mapping the brain has not revealed how consciousness is generated.

The human mind is as complex as it is powerful. As a result, listening to the voices of lived experience is one of the most important routes to understanding mental health.

C.H. Spurgeon wrote extensively – and vividly – about experiencing ‘quite involuntarily, unhappiness of mind, depression of spirit, and sorrow of heart.’ He recognised that everyone has to deal with mental health to some degree, and counselled his congregation, ‘Especially judge not the sons and daughters of sorrow.’ Particularly helpful to me has been Spurgeon’s observation that anyone ‘can follow the narrow path in the light: faith’s rare wisdom enables us to march on in the dark with infallible accuracy, since she places her hand in that of her Great Guide. Between this and Heaven there may be rougher weather yet, but it is all provided for by our Covenant Head. In nothing let us be turned aside from the path which the divine call has urged us to pursue.’

It is in this light that CrossReach continues to serve people looking for support with their mental health."

(With thanks to John Macdonald, Head of Service - Strategy Adult Care Services)

For information about CrossReach mental health services.