By Rev Paul N. Papas II

2 January 2012

How Do You Drive?

What are your driving habits? Are you steady on the gas or do you like speed until you climb up on the car in from of you?

Do you like to pay attention to where you are going, avoiding dangers ahead? Would you prefer to keep your eyes fixed on the rear view mirror to see where you have been?

Although there are times to look in the rear view mirror it is generally accepted that keeping your eyes forward looking makes for safer driving.

So it is with life: focusing on the past, no matter how good or bad will leave you a wreck.

2011 and all previous years are history, never to be repeated again. 2012 and all future years have yet to be decided. You can decide to drive forward looking or by spending all your efforts looking in the year view mirror.

I prefer to drive forward looking toward the prize in and forward to what is in store.

There are some people who seem to be caught up in the should haves, would haves, and could haves along with the if onlys in life. Getting caught up in those things of prior moments or years is much like a rat running on wheel in cage only this time in your head. No how much you worry about the past you can not change it. If you worry too much about the past you could cause yourself so much stress that you could shorten your life. There is nothing wrong with and everything right with evaluating your past actions and learning from them. However severe worry can lead you into anxiety, depression, and even despondency which are treatable medical conditions of a mental illness.

There are life skills that each person should know, develop, and practice as ways to cope with today’s world and stress that it brings. The world we live in has so much uncertainty that no one needs to add their own self imposed stress to it.

It may seem you are all alone and your world is coming apart at the seems at times. First, you are not alone. Second, there is help available.

The tough times help us appreciate and enjoy the good times. The tough times make it possible for us to help someone else go through their tough times. Tough times do not last, tough people do.

There are many people who suffer with a treatable medical condition of a mental illness that you would not know. The reason why you would not know is because they have learned the life skills to cope with and handle their tough times. They also recognize when it is too much for them to handle and seek help.

One of the best medicines that has ever been provided is a smile from the heart and a sincere “Hi, how are you?” with matching ears to listen…and perhaps a hug.

Back to my question, how do you drive? Do you give yourself (and others) a headache with fists and starts or are you steady on the peddle? Do you focus on the rear view mirror or ahead of you looking how you can make each day better than the last? Would you join me in looking ahead to accept each day’s challenge in making it better than the others gone by, making it a Happy New?

Rev Paul N. Papas II is a Pastoral Counselor with Narrow Path Ministries (MA and AZ) and Founder of the Family Renewal Center. www.narrowpathministries.org and www.familyrenewalcenteraz.org

Faith and Mental Health

This is not a politically correct article. Faith has been beaten up by the liberal left as they would like to prohibit belief in the Creator God to justify their agenda.

Regular attendance at religious services is associated with a more optimistic outlook and a lesser inclination to be depressed, compared to those who do not attend services at all, a recent study concluded according to Reuters.
“The study’s findings supports previous research that religious participation can promote psychological and physical health — and reduce mortality risks — possibly by calming people in stressful times, creating meaningful social interactions and helping curtail bad habits.
Those who said they attended services more than once a week in the previous month were 56 percent more likely to be above the median score in a measure of optimism than those who did not attend services, according to the study published in the Journal of Religion and Health.
And those who reported attending services weekly were 22 percent less likely to be depressed or have depressive symptoms compared to non-attenders.”
Many a church Minster will tell you that Christmas and Easter are when their churches overflow with people they don’t usually see during the rest of the year.
“There is a correlation, but that does not mean there is causality,” said Eliezer Schnall, an associate professor of clinical psychology at Yeshiva University in New York. “One could argue people who are more optimistic may be drawn to religious services.
“The person who says, ‘I guess if I go to services, that will make me more optimistic’ — while a possibility, that may not be true,” he said.
Another caveat Schnall offered was that the study examined older women, so the benefits of religious activity may not apply to younger people or to males. Older women in particular have been shown in past research to engage in more social interaction at services, and to gain the most from it.
Schnall worked on a 2008 study of the same group of women that found those who attended religious services regularly reduced their risk of death by 20 percent over the follow-up period that averaged nearly eight years.
“We’re trying to connect the dots here,” he said. “We know they’re less likely to die, and health outcomes can be related to psychological factors.”
It has been know for many years that those who are filled with hope live healthier, longer lives as they deal with stress of life in a more positive way.
The religion that espouses faith, hope, love, forgiveness, and atonement for sin is a good foundation in the good times and in the bad times. Our country’s founding fathers lived in a rugged world of uncertainty. The speed of communication depended upon how many people you could gather at once, how fast you could run, or how fast your horse could get you there.
They had a brand new country that just fought and won a bloody revolution against a superior foe. A uniform monetary system needed to be established along with a system of self governance.
There were no grocery stores. Either you raised your own food or you bartered with someone to provide you with food. There were no food stamps either.
The medical condition of a mental illness was not handled in the way it is dealt with today. Often times those with medical condition of a mental illness were thought to be demon possessed, some where thought to be witches and burned.
With all the uncertainty of building a country in new land you could think that depression and other forms of a medical condition of a mental illness would collapse the American experiment. During this period of our new country it was more than church attendance, it was participation in the church and by the church that helped this country rapidly grow into a strong nation. It was the church and church leaders that inspired hope that saw us through and gave us strength to carry us through tough times.
History confirms what Rueters says: “The study found people who attend services regularly were 28 percent more likely to report having positive social support… compared to other social groupings such as sporting events or playing cards, fellow religious congregants can provide closer confidants, Schnall said”
No matter what the season, no matter the circumstances, no matter how bad off you think you are, there is someone worse off than you and we all need a trusted support system. Your support system in any season should provide and believe in faith, hope, love, forgiveness, as well as a good listening ear. For your support system to work you must be participating in the system at least as much as the rest of the group.
Faith brings hope. Hope looks to a bright future. Hope is a key ingredient to preventing, coping with, and healing of many medical conditions including a mental illness.
Rev. Paul N. Papas II is a Pastoral Counselor with Narrow Path Ministries (MA and AZ) and Founder of the Family Renewal Center. www.narrowpathministries.org and www.familyrenewalcenteraz.org

By Rev. Paul N. Papas II

7 November 2011

Time of Thanks

With long term unemployment or unemployment, the sinking dollar, and the economy still sliding like a greased watermelon it is not always easy to give thanks.

Americans are considered a hearty stock going back to the really tough beginnings of Plymouth Rock and the Pilgrims first winter where most of the first settlers died. These first settlers relied upon each other and focused on what they had and not on what they did not have. Everyday they gave thanks as they worked with their neighbors the Native Americans. When the next harvest was in they gathered with their neighbors to give thanks to God and each other in a celebration we now call Thanksgiving.  Today Thanksgiving is more of a commercial event. However each person should reflect on what they have and be thankful for that.

A man was giving his testimony at one of those old Salvation Army open-air street meetings.

As he was testifying, a heckler in the crowd yelled, “Why don’t you shut up and sit down? You’re just dreaming.”

Immediately that heckler felt a tug on his coat. He looked down to see a little girl, who said: “Sir, may I speak to you? That man who is talking up there is my daddy. Daddy used to be a drunkard. He used to spend all of the money he made on whiskey. My mother was very sad and would cry most of the time.

Sometimes when my daddy would come home, he would hit my mother. I didn’t have shoes or a nice dress to wear to school. But look at my shoes. And see this pretty dress? My daddy bought these for me.”

But the little girl wasn’t through with that heckler yet.

“See my mother over there? She’s the one with the bright smile on her face. She’s happy now. She sings even when she’s doing the ironing.”

Then the little girl said, “Mister, if my daddy is dreaming, please don’t wake him up.”

This little girl so very thankful for the real change she saw in her Dad that she could not keep it to herself. Her Dad was so thankful for the change in his life he could not keep it to himself. With his wife by his side he told the world about how he used to be an underachieving, depressed, drunken, abusive man and how his life was different now. The biggest witnesses to his change were his wife and daughter right there in the crowd. This Dad could have continued to blame all kinds of things for his own failings however he took personal responsibility for his part and started the rebuilding process. He asked for and received assistance as a hand up, not a hand out along the way. Ultimately it was the Dad doing his part to work on the things he needed to work on that made this testimony possible.

It is well known that in economic hard times that the amount of people being treated for the medical condition of a mental illness of depression increases.  We also know that incidents of domestic violence increase during economic hard times.  It is generally the feeling of hopelessness that can trigger depression, suicide attempts, violence, and other crimes.

There are many people and groups willing to help others get their lives on track, if you are willing to do your part. If your doctor told you take a certain medication to get rid of an infection and you did not take the medication then you can not blame anyone or anything for not getting better. You can help someone begin their journey with a smile and good conversation. Anything you can do to help someone would be appreciated.

You can check with your local churches or your local Salvation Army for assistance. There are also some links on our church website for assistance. For mortgage foreclosure defense you can try MyLegalHelpUSA.com

Being thankful is a state of mind and heart. It is an attitude of gratitude that will brighten your day and of those around you. You should not wait for one day a year to give thanks, it should be everyday. Today is a good day to start.

Rev. Paul N. Papas II is a Pastoral Counselor with Narrow Path Ministries (MA and AZ) and Founder of the Family Renewal Center www.narrowpathministries.org and www.familyrenewalcenteraz.org

By Rev. Paul N. Papas II

3 October 2011

For some this goes way back. Do you remember learning about homonyms? Homonyms are words that sound alike, spelled differently and have different meanings such as mail and male or witch and which. The elementary teacher would use exercises such as; which witch is which? Then there was a student or two would ask the teacher: “Bet you can’t tell which witch I am using?

The student’s were required to take each word and write the definition on a piece of paper. After finding all the definitions, the student would be required to write a sentence using the word according to its definition. This activity is a way of helping students in their writing. Many of students use the wrong word because it sounds like the word they are wanting, but they often misspell it because of confusion with homonyms. After completing this activity, the student’s in the class were supposed to have a better understanding of homonyms.

Some of these students grew up to hold public office and enjoy playing with words to “explain” what they mean. When I hear some politicians speak I think of the lessons of Which Witch is Which or hear a magician say: “There’s nothing up my sleeve” before he pulls the rabbit out of his hat.

Let’s take the current issue of making millionaires pay their fair share and more taxes.  The president says that the rich don’t pay their fair share.  Here are the facts according to the IRS:

• Those making more than $1 million pay 24% of income in taxes
• Those making $200,000 to $300,000 pay 17.5%
• Those making $100,000 to $125,000 pay 9.9%
• Those making $50,000 to $60,000 pay 6.3%
• Those making $20,000 to $30,000 pay 2.5%

And what of millionaires who pay no taxes?

There are 1,470 of them. They represent six-tenths of one percent of all those with million dollar incomes in the U.S. If we assume that they make an average income of $2 million a year each, taxing them at the same rate as other millionaires (24.4%) would yield $367 million, which would increase Treasury income tax revenues by 30 one-hundredths of one percent or one-third of one-tenth of one percent!

Overall, the IRS reports that the revenues from the income tax are sharply skewed toward taxes on the rich:

• The top 1% pays 39%
• The top 5% pays 60%
• The top 10% pays 72%
• The bottom half pays 3%

Which Witch is Which?  I would think the IRS has a more accurate picture of how much is paid in income taxes and by whom. So what is the agenda of people demonizing the rich in general, probably nothing more than deflecting the public from the real issues by creating a stigma against rich people?

Stigma is one of those things many do not take seriously until it is used against them.

People who happen to have a medical condition of a mental illness are used to being ostracized because of their medical condition. Years ago lepers were required, because of their medical condition, to yell “Unclean” if anyone came near. Lepers were required to live outside the town.

Having a stigma against you is not an easy thing to live with. The stigma of being rich may set up class warfare. The stigma of having a medical condition of a mental illness may also be class warfare.  Either way stigma is judgment that each person makes on their own about someone else or group. The list of available stigmas is rather long.

Which witch are you choosing? Which stigma would you like to be saddled with today?

Rev. Paul N. Papas II is a Pastoral Counselor with Narrow Path Ministries (MA and AZ) and Founder of the Family Renewal Center (AZ). www.narrowpathministries.org and www.familyrenewalcenteraz.org

By Rev. Paul N. Papas II

29 August 2011

COMMUNITY STRONG

You’ve see the T-shirts, hats and bumper stickers saying Army Strong. It is time show Community Strong.

Even though it was over forty years ago I remember Boot Camp pretty well. Boys were made into men in eight weeks both physically and mentally. At that time, as now, many went off to war and not all came back. Boys from all over the country, with all kinds of back rounds, were brought together to gain the knowledge, discipline, and tools to become Our Nations defenders of freedom.

Today we have hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes in many parts of the country. Today we have all kinds of people with all kinds of back rounds in need of assistance and our greatest resource is people. The country may be broke, but our people’s spirits are not broken. It is because of our people’s spirits and resourcefulness that we will rebuild.

There are two examples of Community Strong I would like to share with you. One is where a neighbor was able to cook on his stove because he had a manual, not electric, gas stove and oven when the electricity was out for days because of a storm. His neighbors either had electric stoves or electric starts to their stoves and ovens. He invited his neighbors in to share the use of his stove and oven in order that his neighbors could enjoy a hot meal. The story never made the papers and it was not supposed to.

The second example of Community Strong is where a neighbor offered to put another neighbor’s frozen foods in his freezer just because he still had electricity and the other neighbor’s electricity was out because of Irene. It is not known when it will be back on.  Neither neighbor called a press conference.

Neighbors have been helping neighbors for a very long time, even before formal governments were formed. It was neighbors helping neighbors that formed the basis for formal governments.

As we know there are groups of people who help each other out because they are in a similar circumstance, even though they may not otherwise do so. This is also the idea behind support groups.

Whether it is Habitat For Humanity, American Legion, AA, NAMI, or other helping organizations they are designed to help others while helping each other. Each organization has a purpose and a mission to help a certain portion of the population with certain needs.

NAMI and other organizations that assist family and friends of people who have been affected by the medical condition of a mental illness, as well as those who have a medical condition of a mental illness, don’t receive the same status as Habitat For Humanity, American Legion or AA in people’s minds.  This is the stigma that needs to be eradicated.

In this particular trying time hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes it is especially urgent that neighbors help neighbors. One urgent way neighbors should be looking out for each other is looking for signs of despair, depression, anxiety, or worry about their present circumstances, especially if they just lost everything they own. When we knew our neighbors we could more easily tell when our neighbor was in distress. Often times a good listening ear is what is really needed.  I can’t give you any specific advice other than to observe, listen, talk with, and if needed refer someone to a professional for assistance.

We can’t depend on our government for much assistance to rebuild. We can depend upon our greatest resource; which is each other. There are no shortages of needs, pick one or more that you can help with and go to work. Show how you are Community Strong.

Rev. Paul N. Papas II is a Pastoral Counselor with Narrow Path Ministries of MA and AZ and Founder of the Family Renewal Center of AZ. www.narrowpathministries.org and www.familyrenewalcenteraz.org

The Curse was put in the Hearse, why not Stigma?

Just as the famous curse against the Red Sox winning the World Series was put in the Hearse in 2004 why can’t we put stigma in the hearse in 2011?

In 2004 the Red Sox had a team that beat all the other contenders and became the World Series Champions. The Red Sox went on to win the World Series a couple more times and have been contenders when they did not win it all.

We presently possess enough information in 2011 to defeat Stigma against the medical condition of a mental illness. So why haven’t we? There are some people who don’t have enough information, so we need to get the word out. Then there are people who purposely just refuse to throw off all forms and purposely attack who have a medical condition of a mental illness. There are also people who purposely and willfully go about a campaign of disinformation to distribute false information about a person or group, for their own benefit, to create a stigma about that person or group.

This disinformation has been going on for a very long time, such as when the serpent deceived Eve into believing she would die if she ate the apple.

We see disinformation campaigns against those who have a medical condition of a mental illness in movies, TV shows, and on stage. Some comics use those who have a medical condition of a mental illness for fodder.

Since one in five people in this country are touched by someone who have a medical condition of a mental illness that means that one in five people are being ostracized by stigma because someone or some group wanted to feel superior.

I don’t know of anyone who had on their wish list to have a medical condition of a mental illness.

There are families who have purposely gone about a disinformation campaigns about another family member and emotionally disowned a family member.

In one case I know of a daughter was emotionally disowned because the family did not approve of her father. The marriage was not “family approved”. The family is forbidden to contact the daughter/cousin or have any association with her or even speak her name. This daughter/cousin did not have on her wish list to be born into that family, yet she has a stigma for something she has no control over. This family certainly feels superior to this daughter/cousin.

In another case I know of one sister emotionally disowned another sister and forbids their common parents to speak to, associate with, or mention the name of the emotionally disowned sister. The sister who did the disowning refused to share the love of the parents with her sister. The sister who did the disowning feels superior to her family in that she is controlling her own immediate family. The unfortunate thing is the sister who did the disowning has carried that same successful disownment strategy to others in her lives who she seeks to control. When she is unsuccessful in controlling someone else, then she goes about a purposeful disinformation campaign about them to create an unwarranted and unwelcomed stigma against them.

Stigma is like putting a drop of poison in water, once the poison has been introduced into the water it is not fit for human consumption. It must be cleaned before we can drink it.

In politics we have seen many disinformation campaigns go on. I am sure you know about negative ads. The theory is that if you repeat a lie often enough, then people start to believe it. Good news travels, but bad news travels faster. There are people who become polarized against someone or some group because of an ongoing disinformation campaign. I can think of a national figure that has been the subject of disinformation campaign that that there is a stigma attached to the mention of her name, Governor Sarah Palin. I recently saw the documentary “Undefeated” that presents a lot of historical facts and documented evidence about her life that I could see what a stigma has attached to her name, just because some believed the disinformation launched campaign against her. I challenge you to see the “Undefeated” and match it up with what you know about Gov Palin to see how the disinformation campaign against her have created a stigma about her.

Would you want to be the subject of disinformation campaign to create a stigma against you, probably not? Let’s END Stigma in 2011 and put in the hearse.

Rev. Paul N. Papas II is a Pastoral Counselor with Narrow Path Ministries (MA and AZ) and Founder of the Family Renewal Center (AZ) www.narrowpathministries.org and www.familyrenewalcenteraz.org

WHERE IS THE INDEPENDENCE?

Didn’t our Forefathers establish a new country for us so we could enjoy the many freedoms memorialized in our Constitution? Weren’t we supposed to be free from oppression? Oppression, from whatever source, brings depression and despair. People don’t work well when they are oppressed, depressed, or in despair.
We recently received a letter that reflects the situation, frustration and despair so many people in this country feel with their home. The following is a condensed version the recent letter.
I love my home and I purchased my home with the intention of growing old in and serving my community from my home. My church is located nearby and I was determined once I retired to be active at my church. My finances changed when I was forced into an early retirement because the company I worked 23 years for could no longer compete in this downward economy, then my mother died, sinking me into a depression. I do not understand why the Bank was not willing to work with me with my honest intentions. I am going to share with you how they have “worked with me”. By the way my house according to local reports was rated as the best location to live in this town. As a business person I know how to look at prime commercial and residential property.
In 2009 my mortgage payments on my fixed rate loan went from $1,495 to $1,730.78 because someone incorrectly calculated my property taxes.
I applied for a loan modification and in December 4, 2009 I received a letter telling me to pay $1,314.81for the first of three trial period modification mortgage payments.
I called to ask questions about the Home Affordable Modification Program, however the calls have been programmed so you cannot reach a representative and the call would eventually just cut off.
During the week of December 20, 2009 I called the Bank who then gave me authorization for $6,204.68 payment to get caught up. $4,485.06 of that would have brought my December bill current and paid the amount due for January 1, 2010 monthly bill $1,674.63 total $6,204.68. I later discovered that the Bank did not post the payment until bill statement dated May 28, 2010 under other applied: description: Misc posting: $6,204.68. Therefore the Bank carried over the charges as delinquent until the May 28, 2010 bill statement.
I did receive two thank you letters for my participation in the federal government’s Home Affordable Modification Program.
I did receive a call from Diane from the Bank who had an extremely bad cold who explain they would re-write the re-modification loan basis on my financial situation and I needed to fax to her a hardship letter, 2 pay stubs, profit and loss statement, 2 years tax return, list of monthly expenses to be faxed to their number along with the a copy of the loan extensions.
Then the story gets uglier. There were numerous attempts to receive a confirmation that my documents that I faxed to the Bank where being acted upon by the Bank. There were numerous attempts to speak to someone who could make a decision and grant me the loan modification. I was battered from one person and one department to another. The short version is my loan modification was denied and my home went into foreclosure.
I finally received a letter that my mortgage is not eligible for a Home Affordable Modification Program because I did not provide them with the requested documents.
I once thought I had a life long home, now I am about to be a homeless bag lady. I don’t know what to do or who to call. I just want to hide under the sheets.
This bank, like so many have abused, intimidated, and oppressed their customers who have been trying to do the right thing and keep their homes. Yes, there are those who know the system and try to beat the system, but I’m not talking about them. If a man was to use similar or the same tactics that the above bank is using upon his wife or girlfriend the court would issue a protective order from abuse and perhaps order jail time for the abuser.
Just as a person can be treated for and be healed from a medical condition of depression or other mental illness, and an abusive person can be treated for and be healed from abusing, there is help legitimate help for homeowner such as the one who wrote us the letter. Space does not permit me to enumerate all the assistance available to a homeowner trying to do the right thing and stay in their home.
True independence is realized when we are free exercise the freedoms guaranteed to us within our Constitution and we are not abused, intimidated, or oppressed by those in authority.
Rev. Paul N. Papas II is a Pastoral Counselor with Narrow Path Ministries (MA and AZ) and Founder of the Family Renewal Center (AZ) www.narrowpathministries.org and www.familyrenewalcenteraz.org

EBENEZER DAY

As the country pauses and reflects in memory that Freedom is not Free we don’t always remember the costs. It is said everyone likes a good parade, but what happens when the music stops and crowds go home?

It is the veteran, not the Preacher, who gave us Freedom of Religion.

It is the veteran, not the reporter, who gave us Freedom of the Press.

It is the veteran, not the poet, who gave us Freedom of Speech.

It is the veteran, not the campus organizer, who gave us Freedom of Assembly.

It is the veteran, not the lawyer, who gave us the Right to a Fair Trial.

It is the veteran, not the politician, who gave us the Right to Vote.

It is the veteran who served under the Flag to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States where you will find these Rights written. It is the veteran who guaranteed these Rights. Some veterans made it home alive, some didn’t. Some veterans gave all their tomorrows so we could have ours. Just being alive is not always enough.

Our young men and women who serve in the Armed Forces face more challenges than those who don’t serve. Those who serve in the Armed Forces are either preparing for war or fighting in one in addition to the normal everyday family and personal issues and problems they face. Those who serve in combat experience things many Americans won’t. Many of our combat troops are barely old enough to vote, but too young to serve in Congress.

A number of veterans now have missing arms and legs as a result of their war injuries and we have prosthetics to help them live a normal productive life.

There are a number of Veterans who suffer from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which is an anxiety disorder than can develop after a person witnesses a traumatic event. A traumatic event can take many forms such as a natural disaster, sexual abuse, rape, serious accident, captivity, or a terrorist attack such as 9/11, but for veterans, PTSD is most often related to combat or military exposure.
In wars prior to Vietnam, the disorder was referred to as “shell shock” or “battle fatigue” and was not very well understood beyond the fact that it limited the soldier’s performance on the battlefield. Today, the disorder is more widely studied. We know that PTSD can lead to other mental health problems such as depression, social withdrawal and substance abuse.
Although the symptoms for individuals with PTSD can vary considerably, they generally fall into three categories:
Re-experience – Individuals with PTSD often experience recurrent and intrusive recollections of and/or nightmares about the stressful event. Some may experience flashbacks, hallucinations, or other vivid feelings of the event happening again. Others experience great psychological or physiological distress when certain things (objects, situations, etc.) remind them of the event.
Avoidance – Many with PTSD will persistently avoid things that remind them of the traumatic event. This can result in avoiding everything from thoughts, feelings, or conversations associated with the incident to activities, places, or people that cause them to recall the event. In others there may be a general lack of responsiveness signaled by an inability to recall aspects of the trauma, a decreased interest in formerly important activities, a feeling of detachment from others, a limited range of emotion, and/or feelings of hopelessness about the future.
Increased arousal – Symptoms in this area may include difficulty falling or staying asleep, irritability or outbursts of anger, difficulty concentrating, becoming very alert or watchful, and/or jumpiness or being easily startled.
It is important to note that those with PTSD often use alcohol or other drugs in an attempt to self-medicate. Individuals with this disorder may also be at an increased risk for suicide.
PTSD can be treated – There are a number of groups and organizations that can help anyone suffering from PTSD to recover. Veterans, Police Officers, Fire Fighters, first responders, crime victims and disaster relief workers are among those who are most often watched for signs of PTSD.
Just because the veteran, or others suffering from PTSD, is on your doorstep, it does not mean he or she is home. A change in geographic location does not guarantee a veteran is home. Veterans who seek out other veterans for help with their PTSD often hear the greeting: “Welcome Home”.
PTSD is a medical condition of a Mental Illness and one of the obstacles of healing a medical condition of a Mental Illness is the Stigma that goes with it. Vote NO to Stigma and help a Veteran heal.
An Ebenezer is the name given to memorial that was given to remind people of the help they received a few thousand years ago. We have many reminders of help we have been given, one being our Flag waving in a breeze and another is our veterans.
Help welcome home our veterans in anyway you can.
Rev. Paul N. Papas II is a Pastoral Counselor with Narrow Path Ministries of MA and AZ and the Founder of the Family Renewal Center (AZ) www.narrowpathministries.org and www.familyrenewalcenteraz.org

One Down And More To Go

We are happy that our Intelligence and Military stayed true to the goal of finding and bringing to justice the one man who changed the world forever with his terror. This is one goal accomplished in winning a huge battle in the war against terrorism.

We as a people have many goals to reach to make this world a better place. For a long time before medical science matured people thought that people who had a medical condition of a mental illness were demon possessed. We now know it is a medical condition that can be treated just as a broken bone can be treated.

Our youth today are our leaders of tomorrow. We need to make sure that we raise them well. Providing our children with proper guidance, proper nourishment, and proper values will put our future in good hands.

If we know that something is wrong and we know how to correct it, then we have a duty to make the correction.

Let’s use the same resolve we showed in bringing Osama Ben Laden to justice in helping our youth grow up healthy and with good values.

Parents who dropped their children off at a nursery school in a well known city discovered something new – a wire fence dividing the playground in two. There is a sandbox on one side and a slide on the other. The children used to play on either of them but now they will be limited. The nursery school is in a neighborhood that is divided between conservative and liberal people of the same religion. The nursery school is divided the same way with one half of the building used by each group. The playground used to be shared and the children all played together during recess, but one group requested the wire fence so that their children would not mingle with the other group’s children. Some parents say there is a simple solution and that would be to kick out the other group so they can have the nursery school all to themselves.

I don’t think the group requesting the fence or dividing the building had the right idea. I think the idea of the physical fence was nothing more than at outward expression of their inner feelings. People in general have been known to put up walls or fences around themselves blocking certain people out.

When President Ronald Reagan told Mr. Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall, he knew he was telling the Russian leader to free the people of East Berlin. Walls tend to enslave and isolate. The West Berlin Mayor called it a “Wall of Shame”. Healthy people know there are certain boundaries that need to be respected, they don’t need walls.

This week is Children’s Mental Health Week from May 1st through the 7th. This does not have to be a budget buster.

We do know that: More children are affected by mental health problems than from all childhood disorders combined (World Health Organization);
1 in 5 children and adolescents (20%) have a diagnosable disorder, yet only two-thirds of them are getting the help they need (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services);As many as 1 in 10 young people may have an anxiety disorder, making it the most common mental health problem that children face (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services);Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds and the sixth leading cause of death for 5-15 year olds (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry);By 2020, mental and behavioral health disorders are projected to become one of the top five causes of mortality, morbidity and disability among children (U.S. Health & Human Services, 1999).

We also know: Forty-one percent of families report that mental health services make a difference (Overcoming Barriers);Twenty-four percent of families find the most valued resource to be another parent with lived experience (Overcoming Barriers);Healthy children are able to cope with challenges, relate to others and succeed in school (U.S. Surgeon General);
Healthy children have hope.
Much of the problem with a medical condition of a mental illness is stigma.
What is your first reaction to hearing that someone has a mental illness?
Would you embrace the person or run the other way?
Would you have the same reaction if the same person broke his leg skiing?
It is time to tear down the wall of shame around the medical condition of a mental illness. Say NO to Stigma.
Rev. Paul N. Papas II is a Pastoral Counselor with Narrow Path Ministries (MA and AZ) and Founder of the Family Renewal Center (AZ). www.narrowpathministries.org and www.familyrenewalcenteraz.org

TIPPING POINT

Over the years we can often look back and see certain turning points in our lives that can be traced to one event or decision.

A certain courthouse in Ohio stands in a unique location. Raindrops that fall on the north side of the building go into Lake Ontario and the Gulf of St Lawrence, while those falling on the south side go into the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. At precisely the point of the peak of the roof, just a gentle puff of wind can determine the destiny of many raindrops. It will make a difference of more than 2,000 miles as to their final destination.

By the smallest deed or choice of words we might set in motion influences that could change the course of others’ lives here and now that could also affect their future.

We have to be so careful to send clear consistent signals to our young people about the importance of living right, this also true of anyone in a leadership position. Leading by example has also been the best way. You have probably heard the phrase “do as I say, not as I do”. For some leaders their actions are speaking so loudly that we can’t hear their words.

The computer is a very complex piece of technology that I don’t totally understand. I do know that if one small file is corrupted or prevented from working then a whole program or even the entire computer will not work.

Our brain is far more complex than the most advanced version of a computer build by man. We do know a human brain does malfunction at times which is one reason we have very sophisticated medical devices. The reasons and causes of the malfunctions within a human brain are not always known. Medical research has become very advanced in addressing malfunctions within a human brain.

We seem to do well in addressing strokes or aneurisms within the brain. People in general will rush to the side and visit someone in the hospital who has suffered a stroke or has a problem with an aneurism. There are many who would not do the same if the malfunction within the brain is a medical issue of a mental illness. Too many times a person who has a medical issue of a mental illness becomes the butt of jokes or is shunned.

There are many connections within the brain and sometimes, just as in any computer, the connections just don’t make the connection. This failure to connect causes issues. In the case of a medical issue of a mental illness the person’s thought process and actions don’t always seem to match those he or she had before the malfunction, nor do they seem to match those of many others around.

There has been and continues to be research to determine the best way to restore the connections with the human brain, as well as ways to help those who have a medical issue of a mental illness live a good quality life. There are also many good quality programs and counselors who can help family, friends, and those who have a medical issue of a mental illness deal with the various issues that arise.

One in five people are affected by a medical issue of a mental illness. It could be themselves, a family member or co-worker that is affected. Everyone affected has the same basic needs, love, acceptance, and fellowship. Remember you can hug and it won’t rub off.

Which way will your actions fall from your roof today?

Rev. Paul N. Papas II is a Pastoral Counselor with Narrow Path Ministries (MA and AZ) and Founder of Family Renewal Center (AZ) www.narrowpathministries.org and www.familyrenewalcenteraz.org