April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.

World got you crazy? Workshop could help


By KATE BLAIN- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

In a country rocked by terrorist attacks, anthrax scares and war, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Those struggling to deal with the personal effects of a global problem may find comfort in an upcoming workshop: "Keeping Yourself Well When the World Has Gone Crazy."

Sponsored by the diocesan Consultation Center in Albany, which provides counseling services and programs, the workshop was sparked by the aftermath of Sept. 11, according to Rev. Anthony Chiaramonte, who will moderate the workshop.

Father Chiaramonte, director of the Consultation Center, said that the workshop will ask why people "act so crazily toward one another." He believes that greed, power, self-centeredness, self-righteousness and fear all played a role in the terrorist attacks on the U.S.

Mad, mad world

"I think people are unwilling to try to understand one another or be forgiving toward one another," he explained. "Life seems to be very cheap and not respected, and therefore [people believe that] `whatever I do violently against you is okay, because my way, will or position has dominance over yours.'"

People who feel the world has gone mad aren't far off the mark, he believes: "There's a lot of craziness in the world. It seems to have escalated to the point where we now blow people apart if they don't comply with the will of the other [party]."

Millions of Americans struggle with anxiety and depression, he said, often brought on by such events. He cited a post-Sept. 11 poll by the Pew Research Center that found more than half of American adults have felt helplessness, anxiety, anger, suspicion of others, numbness and other symptoms since the terrorist attacks.

"Anxiety affects 26 million adults," he noted. In addition, he said, 9.5 percent of adults will suffer from some form of depression this year.

After-shocks

Father Chiaramonte has seen more people seeking counseling since Sept. 11, many of whom ask about stress and spirituality. The good that resulted from the evil of the terrorist attacks, he said, was that many people want to be more connected to loved ones now.

The counselor decided to hold the workshop to help struggling people find wellness in these difficult times. He listed a few ideas:

1. the key three ingredients of appropriate exercise, nutrition and sleep;

2. prayer, meditation and communal liturgical celebration;

3. not letting the past drag you down or being afraid of the future;

4. being "a doer, not a worrier;"

5. being as cheerful as possible in all circumstances, avoiding self-pity;

6. expressing your emotions to someone you trust; and

7. staying connected to family, friends and God.

Even keel

Father Chiaramonte also cautioned against "catastrophizing."

"There's a tendency, because those [negative] things have happened, to focus always on the bad and lose sight of all the beauty and creativity and wonder and awe that's all around us," he noted.

The workshop, he said, "is targeting anyone who is feeling disconnected, disjointed, alienated, alone or depressed, so hopefully together we can empower and support one another."

Listen to this

One way the counselor plans to provide such support is through the listening ears participants will find at the workshop.

"We can listen to one another, remind each other of the beauty and respect of life, and how we can spend each day doing affirming things," he stated.

("Keeping Yourself Well When the World Has Gone Crazy" will be held Feb. 27, 7-9 p.m. at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Albany. The cost is $10, or $12 after Feb. 20. To register, call 489-4431.)

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