I have understood this for a long time. I can write here without having to see anyone react immediately when they read it. I can see their reaction when I tell someone about being abused in person. I can watch their facial expressions and body language. I can see every bit of their discomfort, and their signs of dismissal cut me. If you don’t think telling someone in person that you need their help isn’t scary, I can only assume that is because you’ve never done it.
So when you see someone share something on social media about their mental health, and your response is to wonder why they didn’t just talk to you about it, remember how much harder that is. Maybe they aren’t ready yet, or you just haven’t done enough to earn that trust. Consider how many people in your life may be dealing with very difficult things they just haven’t told anyone about yet.
This sad event on the heels of the Vatican’s pronouncement that Americans are being too hard on these priests. The Church says since they can no longer keep an eye on abusers once they’ve been forced to leave the priesthood that children are safer if priests are allowed to remain despite being abusers.
YOu know, my tax money goes to fund SEVERAL very nice facilities where these abusive priests can rot.
I’m just disgusted.