Dear friends,
Last Friday our country began operating the ‘Traffic Light System,’ for Covid-19 restrictions. It was also the day I got my second vaccination. I had an interesting car trip that week. My son was telling me how all traffic lights were being taken out of intersections, to be replaced with a new traffic light system! I get the confusion. There have been a lot of changes to restrictions. In this ‘traffic light system’, those who are vaccinated have increasing social freedoms, while the unvaccinated have much less.
This is a tender topic I know. Here I’m contributing a small voice for the mental health of the unvaccinated. I am basing it on the assumption that the mental health of every New Zealander is important.
Last month I was preparing this post I got heavy-hearted, so I parked it up. Over the past months and weeks I have also been processing these decisions for myself and particularly our children. Thousands haven’t had a choice, or have found it an easy decision to make.
Weeks on I don’t feel the heaviness anymore but I am very concerned for the unvaccinated suffering emotionally, relationally or financially because of their decision. I have sat with people who are feeling immense negative social pressure, social exclusion and are fearful about their future. I discovered that vulnerable people are stockpiling supplies for fear of a future without access to the basics. This disturbed me. When I was acutely mentally unwell I felt a primal fear and paranoia about such things. At times I was terrified. I feel compassion for those so afraid. I want every person to feel hopeful and cared about as we get through this time together.
Many of us have processed this decision differently to others. We don’t all think or feel the same. Amongst other factors we have different: family backgrounds, life experience, ethnicity, physical and mental health, and emotional wounds. We are wonderfully made, but awfully broken too. I am someone who knows what it is to be committed to psychiatric care under the Mental Health Act, and given treatment without consent. I am grateful in retrospect, but the very process of such ‘manditory treatment’ can be traumatic. This is just one of many scenarios that can affect how people feel about mandatory vaccination. We all get triggered at times. Some emotional triggers can be incredibly powerful. I wonder how much anger expressed on this issue comes from a place of extreme fear. We don’t know what another person’s journey has been. While there is great conformity there is still diversity of thought. The division in our country is very real and with Christmas coming there is much heartache. This season is one with many opportunities to be kind with words and acts of compassion.
These are very difficult times. We have never walked this winding path before. We need to be kind to ourselves and others. I found it helpful to hear pastors reassure people that vaccination is not a salvation or faith issue. A world with covid is not ideal and God knows this. Our Father gives us exactly what we need for our families at this time that we live in. My provision was that I realised that despite my reservations, my mental health (my greatest asset) would be better for choosing the vaccinations. This realisation was a grace, and peace to move forward. It has been very helpful.
There are vulnerable people in our communities who have just become more vulnerable. Let’s keep them on our radar.
Thanks for reading,
God’s grace and peace to you,
Bronnie
Reviving Hope 