untying the cloak of depression

Dawn Stephens recounts an encounter with a patient that describes what parish nursing looks like for her

Not all nurses work for the NHS. Some work with churches or Christian organisations to support people within their communities, to supplement the NHS, signpost people to appropriate services, and provide intentional care of the spirit.

Parish Nursing Ministries UK’s vision ¹ is to support Christian communities across the UK to establish accredited parish nursing services that provide wholistic health and wellbeing support to people of all faiths and none. Parish nursing looks different in every location, as it’s a ministry tailormade to the needs of the community and the skills of the parish nurse.

Here’s a flavour of what it looked like for me:

No one left this place, no one came

Curtains forever closed on the horrors outside

In the doorway to darkness, I stepped in.

God, be with me now

Help me speak your name.

Here, before my trembling heart, she cried in desperation.

She cried in depression.

Unseen

Unheard

Unloved

Worthless

What do I do with this?

I am not equipped.

Her dressing gown was comfort, caressing her body

Worn day and night…day and night.

It didn’t need to come off, she was unseen

It didn’t need to come off, she hid herself away

It didn’t need to come off, to expose her heart, her body, her mind.

You sent me here Lord! You said go!

She asked for my help. What do I do?

‘A voice says “cry out”

And I said, “what shall I cry?” (Isaiah 40:6)

“Lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid.”’ (Isaiah 40:9)

And then I saw ‘the sovereign Lord comes with power and rules with a mighty arm’ (Isaiah 40:10)

Her eyes started to lift

The tear streaks faded.

Clasping each other’s hands, heads bowed in prayer

Crying out to you Jesus to lift this despair.

How long oh Lord, how long?

Here before my expectant heart, she stood in certainty.

She stood with dignity.

Seen

Heard

Loved

Worthy

You sent me, you equipped me

You saved her.

Dawn Stephens is a regional nurse co-ordinator for Parish Nursing Ministries UK