Mental Health Awareness Week: Finding Hope in the Struggle

In his latest post for Mental Health Awareness Week, Sport and Faith Coach Mark shares an inspiring update on his journey with mental health, exploring how God is using his story to bring hope and healing to others — and how we can each offer the gift of presence to those around us.

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

"Hi! My name is Mark, and I’ve battled with OCD, BDD and ADHD for most of my life. In my previous posts — Let's Chat: World Mental Health Day and Mark’s Mental Health Journey — I shared more about my story, so I won’t repeat it here. But I do want to give you a little update. 😊

A lot has changed since I wrote my last post, and I’m excited to share it with you!

I've always had a huge heart for those struggling with their mental health, especially after my own experiences with illness and hospital admissions. At the beginning of 2023, I felt God whisper to me that He wastes nothing in our lives. Every difficulty, every hard time, and every struggle has a purpose — shaping us into who we’re meant to be, showing us what’s truly important, and enabling us to help others.

That whisper led me to embark on a new, exciting (and daunting!) journey of becoming a therapist. I completed a Level 3 course in Counselling Skills and then applied for a Master’s programme in Counselling and Psychotherapy at UWE University. I’m now just coming to the end of my first year — and believe it or not, I’ve loved every moment of it, even the assignments!

It’s such a privilege to see how my own pain, scars and hardships are being redeemed by God for His Kingdom and glory. My struggles have birthed in me a deeper empathy and compassion for others — qualities that were there before but have now grown to a whole new level. I’m learning to sit with others, listen to them, support them, and use the skills God has given me to help them through their own challenging times.

But here’s the thing — you can do this too!

Carl Rogers, the American psychologist who founded person-centred therapy, once said:

“The most profound gift we can give others is our presence.”

You don’t have to go on a counselling course to offer this gift. The more we work on ourselves, accept ourselves, and find peace within ourselves, the more we can be a presence of hope for others. When people see someone who has done the hard work of healing and growth, it gives them hope that change is possible for them too.

Let me encourage you — you can do this! When we show up fully present for another person, attuned to their needs and giving them our undivided attention, it not only helps them but transforms us as well.

So, who in your world today needs you to be fully present for them?

How might God want to use your experiences to walk alongside another?

Remember this: God wastes nothing.
("Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." — John 6:12)

Praying for fullness of life for you on your journey,
Mark"

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