An Annus Horribilis by Nina Faye Morey

 

Image by Mary Pahlke from Pixabay 

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;

Love and faithfulness go before you.

~ Psalm 89:14, NIV

 

In a speech marking the 40^th anniversary of her accession to the throne, Queen Elizabeth II referred to 1992 as an “annus horribilis,” a Latin phrase meaning a horrible year. She said, “1992 is not a year on which I will look back with undiluted pleasure.”¹

 

The year 2020 has been my “annus horribilis” — a dreadful year full of grief and sorrow. My loving husband of nearly 48 years passed away from cancer on April 30 at the relatively young age of 75. Only a few months earlier, our family physician had remarked that he was quite healthy for a man of his age. Regrettably, cancer is not a disease that could be readily picked up by a routine physical examination. It’s a cunning and insidious disease that seldom reveals symptoms until it’s too late to administer life-saving treatments.

 

On top of dealing with the grief and heartache of my husband’s passing, I’ve had to cope with the added stress caused by the Covid-19 Coronavirus. This pandemic has left many of us struggling to cope with feelings of fear, sadness, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. These feelings can easily overwhelm us and exacerbate any pre-existing mental health conditions. For me and countless others, this year has indeed been an “annus horribilis.”

 

Unfortunately for us, our society tends to stigmatize and discriminate against those who are prone to mental illness. While someone with a high fever and cough will receive immediate medical attention, a person suffering from a broken spirit will often be met with an attitude of indifference, or even disrespect. Everyone in our society deserves to have equal rights, which includes the same right and ease of access to both physical and mental health services. Negative attitudes and stereotypes not only make it harder for those with mental health issues to deal with life’s stresses, they are also detrimental to their inclination to seek help and their ability to recover.

Image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay 

Unfortunately, Covid-19 has only intensified the impact that these systemic inequalities have on those who suffer from mental illness by increasing their social isolation, unemployment, poverty, and homelessness. The Canadian Mental Health Association released a nationwide survey in June that revealed that the pandemic has dealt a devastating psychological blow to many Canadians, especially “those with existing mental illness or mental health issues.”²

 

According to Statistics Canada:

 

1) “Over 2 million Canadians aged 15 years and over have a mental health-related disability.”

 

2) “Four of the most frequently reported mental health-related conditions are: anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and severe stress disorders.”

 

3) “Nearly half of employed Canadians with a mental health-related disability feel that one or more of their conditions makes it difficult to change or advance in their job. Of these, 1 in 4 believe it is due to discrimination or stigma.”³

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your

mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect

justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the

latter without leaving the former undone.

~ Luke 11:42

Jesus fed the poor, defended widows and children, embraced lepers, prostitutes, tax collectors and other outcasts from society. He did not stigmatize or discriminate against anyone. He treated everyone equally, whether they suffered from spiritual, physical, or mental disorders. He spoke out against those who cloaked themselves with the mantle of faith and religion, but did not practice justice and mercy.

 

As followers of Jesus, we must recognize that we are all made in the image of God. Therefore, we must work towards making our society more just and humane for everyone. It is incumbent upon us to challenge the inequities and injustices that those with mental illnesses and disabilities experience daily and to take an active role in creating positive change. Like Jesus, we need to place our focus on the wellbeing of the whole person, tending to all of their needs: mental, physical, and spiritual.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

And to walk humbly with your God.

~ Micah 6:8

Take a few minutes now to reflect on your attitude toward those who suffer from mental health conditions. How might you make amends for any transgressions you’ve committed? What unique role do you see yourself playing in righting the root causes of this social injustice and promoting a more just and equitable society for everyone?

¹ “A speech by The Queen on the 40^th Anniversary of her succession (Annus horribilis speech),” The Royal Household, November 24, 1992, https://www.royal.uk/annus-horribilis-speech.

² “Covid-19 effects on the mental health of vulnerable populations,” Canadian Mental Health Association, June 24, 2020, https://cmha.ca/documents/covid-mental-health-effects-on-vulnerable-populations.

³ “Mental health-related disabilities in Canada, 2017,” Statistics Canada, January 30, 2019, https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2019005-eng.htm