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Hope is the work of Collingwood hospital spiritual care provider

'I have found nothing more meaningful than reflecting deeply with others in significant life moments,' said Erika Mills, spiritual care provider at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital
ErikaMills
Erika Mills, spiritual care provider at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, with Jack Vanderkooy, co-chair of the Civic Prayer Breakfast organizing committee.

Calling and career have come together for Erika Mills, who has spent the last two years in patient rooms at the Collingwood hospital offering spiritual care to people in crisis.

She aspires to be what she calls a hope leader, which has had its challenges during a global pandemic.

Mills has lived in The Blue Mountains since 2017, and became the spiritual care provider on staff at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital in 2020.

“I felt called to spiritual care and it fits me well,” Mills told CollingwoodToday.ca. “I love people, inter-faith dialogue, and have found nothing more meaningful than reflecting deeply with others in significant life moments.”

The chaplain spoke about her work and sought to encourage a room of civic and church leaders last week at the annual Civic Prayer Breakfast.

“For many people, the worst part of going through difficult times is being alone,” said Mills during the breakfast. “The tragedy of the pandemic was the necessity of isolation.”

In an interview later, Mills said her role at the hospital has reminded her how important relationships and community are for individual health.

“Having someone show up to accompany us in our most difficult moments is a powerful expression of compassion — and often words are not required,” said Mills.

She has not only observed the impact of compassion as she provides spiritual care to hospital patients, but in her own life as others have encouraged her through challenging days.

“The impact of isolation has affected all parts of society,” said Mills. “Since I am the only employed spiritual care provider at the hospital, there were times I experienced my own compassion fatigue in wanting to meet so many emotional needs exacerbated by loneliness.”

She welcomed support from other faith leaders in the community, who reminded her to stay hopeful.

Hope, she said, is a positive vision of what’s to come, even though you do not know what’s to come.

“When facing a health crisis, parents and families are directly confronted by new fears and how to cope with a lack of control,” said Mills. “Spiritual care offers a calming presence and listening ear to help us explore our faith and cultivate healthy, hopeful perspectives to face our fear and anxiety.”

In her work at the hospital, Mills said she seeks to explore a person’s own beliefs, often asking, ‘What are you hoping for?’ Through these conversations she and the patient can talk about how beliefs can help or hinder healing.

“Often, we don’t realize how important our faith and spirituality is until we are in crisis,” said Mills. “Spiritual care is for all people, regardless of religion. It’s an opportunity to explore the big questions in life in a safe way that can lead to healing for the soul.”

Local faith leaders are recognized as part of the health team at the hospital. To learn more about spiritual care at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital and to reach Mills, visit the hospital website.


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Erika Engel

About the Author: Erika Engel

Erika regularly covers all things news in Collingwood as a reporter and editor. She has 15 years of experience as a local journalist
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