It took three hours for Pat to find the courage to get out of her son’s car on Hopetoun Street and make it through the doors of our Women’s Mental Health Centre late last year.
Crippled with anxiety, her mind racing, and severely sleep deprived, the mum-of-four couldn’t see how we could be of help until one of our psychiatrists sat her down and convinced her that this – Australia’s first women-only mental health hospital – was exactly where she needed to be.
I eventually made it through the doors,” Pat said. “I was very ill, and even though there was nothing appealing to me about the thought of staying in a mental health hospital, I realised it was the right thing to do. I had to hold onto something, so I thought if they’re going to send me to a facility, at least I knew that being in a women’s-only place I would be safe.”
In January, research published in the journal Australasian Psychiatry found that the specialised, trauma-focussed, holistic model of care that Cabrini developed for women’s mental health is not only effective but it can feasibly be reproduced.
“We’ve had a number of other centres from around the world visit our hospital to learn from us and use our model as a template.
“The whole program is built on dealing with and helping people through trauma in a women-only setting… and the biological aspects that are different for women – the hormone-related issues,” Centre founder Professor Jayashri Kulkarni said.
“The idea of women’s mental health needing a separate understanding and attention paid to safety and privacy is catching on.”
Cabrini Chief of Mental Health, Sharon Sherwood, said the published data collected from the hospital’s first three years testifies to the Program’s success.
“Our guiding principle is that women experiencing significant mental illness will have a better response to treatment and better outcomes when they receive treatment in a safe, women-only facility, and that treatments and programs are targeted to meet the needs of women and tailored for their specific illness, with true recognition of violence and trauma in all its forms, and with consideration of the biological factors that affect women’s mental health,” Sharon said.
That 95 per cent of the almost 1000 patients who we surveyed said they felt safe in our hospital’s care, and that 93 per cent of those surveyed said the quality of care was excellent and they would refer someone who needed psychiatric care, shows that this model really does work.”
For Pat, who has experienced multiple traumas throughout her life, her 14-day stay was challenging but life-changing and she’s now “feeling much better at being able to deal with the world”.
“I don’t have the words for what it did, so I’ll just call it an absolute miracle,” Pat said. “From where I was to where I am now, it’s given me back my life in every respect.
“My daughter convinced me to come here by saying that this place would give us a bit of hope that I could be well again, but I think we’ve got a bit more than that. My son Josh said we didn’t just get our mum back; we got a better version of our mum.
Known as the patron saint of human trafficking victims, St. Josephine Bakhita’s journey from slavery to sainthood inspires Catholics and many others worldwide. Born in Sudan, sold into slavery, and later becoming a Canossian sister, her legacy reminds us of God’s power to bring good out of any suffering. (2 Cor. 12:8-10; Rom. 8:28).
Whoever said January was dreary clearly hasn’t spent time at Cabrini High School. This month has been filled with celebration, faith, and momentum as our community moves through one of the busiest and most meaningful seasons of the school year.
Cabrini University alumni and friends, in collaboration with the MSC Cabrini Immigration Commission, rallied before Christmas to donate winter clothing essentials – hats, gloves, scarves – for children in need in our partner school districts in Southeast Pennsylvania. These items were delivered just in the nick of time before Christmas to bring smiles and warmth.
The Cabrini University (CAVS) Social Justice Ambassadors, under the leadership of Dr. Jerry Zurek, former Chair of the Communications Department, welcomed former Cabrini University faculty member Vonya Womack to speak on refugees and the power of story and community as tools of seeking justice and freedom.
In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.
Cabrini Immigrant Services – Dobbs Ferry, NY (CIS-DF), had a special visit from some high school students who attend The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry. The students are enrolled in a special course entitled: Bring People Together Through Culture, Communication and Community.
Turley is handing the Pope a letter from our National Shrine’s Board Chair, written by the Shrine’s Board Chair, Kathleen Sprows Cummings, regarding the 80th Anniversary of Mother Cabrini’s canonization.