Edna's story

My Mother was obsessive with cleanliness, constantly washing her hands. She didn’t want visitors as they touched door handles, used the toilet. She’d be in despair cleaning.

I slowly realised she had a severe mental illness, kept secret because of shame and stigma. Through listening, I became much more patient and compassionate.

Then at 13, our youngest daughter became suicidal. She had horrendous mood swings. My husband didn’t understand. Family life became very fragmented with rows, upsets and terrible tension. I was desperate.

I asked a priest to come and pray but he felt unable. He struggled with teenagers, he said, was untrained in mental illness and frightened he may do more harm than good.  He could not recommend another priest either. I felt very let down and alone. Where was God in all of this?

In my despair I turned to the Cross. God makes sense of suffering. I asked Him to use mine for those suffering mental illnesses and their carers. It was my turning point.

I found a priest to help my mother’s obsessive prayer life. The struggle with our daughter continued for six years but she is now a teacher. Today I run pastoral support groups for carers and for sufferers. Carers are listened to and no longer feel alone. Sufferers feel accepted in the non-judgemental sharing.