Pastoral Care offers insights into a happy and healthy 2025

As we get into the swing of a busy new year, many of us with a variety of new years’ resolutions underway, we thought we’d take the opportunity to hear from our Pastoral Care team about the steps they’re taking to ring in the new year right.  

You might not know that Pastoral Care are at the front and centre of staff and patient wellbeing. The team is available as a supportive presence for our patients and their families throughout their hospital journey, regardless of your religious affiliation.

Working alongside our medical, surgical and rehabilitation services, the Pastoral Care team bring a holistic approach by offering:

• Assessment of spiritual/religious needs and person-centred spiritual and emotional counselling
• Opportunities for prayer, reflection, mindfulness, and meditation
• Bereavement support
• Facilitating rituals to mark significant life moments.

If you need a quiet space for reflection, visit the contemplation room or prayer room at Fiona Stanley Hospital, the chapel at Fremantle Hospital or the quiet reflection room at Rockingham General Hospital.

Hear the reflections from our Chaplains on the new year:

When it comes to resolutions, I think it’s the simple, consistent things that make the most change in the long run. I want to continue to practice those small efforts that make each day a bit better: make time for exercise and fresh air, maintain a balanced diet, prioritise restful sleep.

It’s important we connect with our communities – to be involved in something like volunteering – and to regularly talk to someone we trust.

Last year, I came into my role at Fiona Stanley Hospital on the back of a trying time for my family and myself. I was emotionally depleted, and along with the stressors of a new job and work environment, I felt like I was on the back foot for most of the year. It felt like each day was on top of me and I’d get to the end of it exhausted and resentful. I regularly turned to unhealthy vices.

So, I set my alarm even earlier, I woke up when the morning was even darker, and I gave myself the first hour of every day. I went for a short run and spent time reading and reflecting. I started the day on the front foot. I had more energy, a better mindset, and most importantly, I wasn’t resenting the work I was doing or the people I loved.

That’s how I’m entering 2025 – setting my alarm earlier and giving myself the first hour of the day. So far, so good.

I believe that ‘we cannot give what we don’t have’ – my main goal this year is to invest in my mental, physical, and spiritual health. I want to exercise, read, and meditate regularly, making space in the morning before the heavy day begins.

At work, I want to practice more patience, humility, listening and empathy.

From the team to you, may your 2025 be kind, gentle, hope-filled, and hold beautiful surprises.

To contact Pastoral Care

At Fiona Stanley Hospital: call the Helpdesk on 6152 2222 and ask to be transferred to Pastoral Care.

At Fremantle Hospital: call Switchboard on 9431 333 and ask to be transferred to Pastoral Care.

At Rockingham General Hospital: call Switchboard on 9599 4000 and ask to be transferred to Pastoral Care.

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