Shedding LIght

Shedding Light On Mental Illness

Follow this link to a 13 question quiz on mental illness. See how well you do. :) (I didn't do so well). 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T38Y8ZM


Some of the answers shocked me. And even after taking it I was like hmm, I'm taking this at a training by a facility that's all about mental health.. aren't they a little biased? Maybe the numbers are off? (just sharing my own process with you to show that I'm resistant & skeptical at times)

By the People, For the People

I had the privilege of attending a training on mental illness by people with mental illness. They shared their stories. Their trials. Their victories. Obstacles. Stigma. Shame. Frustrations. Ted Talks..

It was powerful. 

Some things that stuck with me:

1. We give them a bed, pill, and rest. They want a home, job, and friend. Wow! This sunk deep into me. A home is a safe place, rather than a bed in a facility where there is lack of consistency and predictability from program to program.. A job gives purpose, an outlet to plug into society, to be accountable, to play an important role. Versus isolation from society because you are deemed broken or unacceptable. A friend! Someone to love and listen. Who doesn't need a friend?



2. "It's easier to prescribe a medication than to understand a person." An overwhelming theme I heard was the need to be heard. The longing to share in the human experience. The need for community.  Labeling someone with a diagnosis based on a handful of symptoms and giving them medications isn't producing success.. A common story that it's never one medication.. it's often 3, or 4, or 6. And once you start taking meds, the clients are encouraged to keep taking meds for life!  And highly discouraged from weaning off. It is not often framed as a temporary phase. And yet the medications were made for temporary use... 

3. Serious mental illness comes from trauma
This has been so eye opening for me personally. All of my clients have horrific pasts. Childhood trauma. Abandonment. Abuse. Assaults. Violence.. Things that were not their fault. A lot of behaviors and symptoms seem to be coming from the way each one processed the trauma. And although the experiences cannot be reversed, healthy relationships can heal deeply. When I think of things some of my friends have been through, and how they are functional, contributing members of society, it gives me hope for my clients. They can have bright futures! They can rewrite the headlines of their stories! What happened happened, but love heals trauma. They can learn coping skills and get jobs... which gives them a reason to live... which brings a sense of belonging... which gives them opportunities to connect with other people..