May is Mental Health Awareness Month. If you would like to get involved or learn more about this, go to Home | SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
The YMCA of Eau Claire is sponsoring a Mental Health Resource Fair on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the YMCA of Eau Claire.
The event will include a children’s play area, three short speakers, and a 30-minute presentation by Sagent Behavioral Health. This gathering is more than a chance to collect information and resources. It is also a place where people can come together, learn about mental health, and discover hope and support for Recovery.
I hope wherever you are, you know Recovery is with you right where you are.
We all feel alone at times. One of the loneliest feelings in life is being homesick for the first time.
We may feel it when our children leave home, or when we were first left alone as children. Sometimes we even feel it during a spiritual retreat. Even when others care for us well, quiet moments can still awaken loneliness within us.
I attended a four-year Catholic high school seminary. My parents were allowed to visit on Sundays, and we often went to a nearby city for lunch. I still remember the first Sunday I returned to campus after spending time with them. I felt deeply homesick. Tears slowly rolled down my cheeks as I walked back inside.
Recovery never wants us to remain alone. Imagine Recovery gently saying, “I am going to stay with you—closer than ever before—so you do not have to be afraid.”
Recovery speaks to us through Spirit. Spirit is like breath, air, and wind. It surrounds us, the way the comforting aroma of our favorite restaurant fills the air. Though unseen, it is real and near.
The Spirit is within us, above us, beside us, and beneath us. It stays with us during lonely hours and even when we are surrounded by crowds of people.
The Spirit remains with us when we fall short, and it rejoices with us when we triumph. We were created to live real and meaningful lives, and we can trust that we are never abandoned along the way.
What symbols help remind us of the Spirit’s presence in our Recovery journey?
- Fire — transforming energy
- Clouds and light — guidance and hope
- The hand — blessing, healing, and compassionate touch
- The finger — Recovery written upon our hearts
- The dove — peace and the gentle presence of Recovery
What names, images, or experiences draw you closer to others and help ease the feeling of being alone?