Christmas nightmare

No improvement

It is that time of year, once again – Christmas – the annual nightmare for the mentally ill – with their feelings of being alone, and isolated, looming.

The depressed believe that everyone else is having a wonderful time – even though I assure them that this is not always the case.

I was, at least, cheered to receive the following message in a Christmas card from a former visitor to the Crisis House. He wrote: “The Wokingham Crisis Centre is a diamond in the coal bucket that is the mental health service in this Country. If only we had something like it in our part of North West London – where even the, hardwon, progressive services, that we campaigned for over many years, have been wantonly destroyed ... Very sad.

“I still treasure the memories of my visits to your excellent Crisis House.”

It strikes me, that, as well as these comments being rewarding for me, they could also leave Wokingham Borough Council feeling gratified – that the jewel in the nation’s mental health service crown – is in their borough, and that we continue to keep the diamond, sparkling.

We are holding this year’s Christmas party at the Crisis House, from 10.30am to 6pm, on Friday, December 22.

We are closed on Christmas Day, but, open again, on Boxing Day, and also on New Year’s Day, so that our service users will have to endure, only one lonely day.

Thus we can help prevent social isolation.

I wish a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all Wokingham Today readers, and I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our benefactors, who, through their generosity, help us in our work for the mentally ill.

We thank both those who give us money, and those who make donations, in kind. All donations are greatly appreciated – for our service – which is so vital for the people of Wokingham.

Pam Jenkinson, The Wokingham Crisis House