There is HOPE

When I last wrote, I was signalling that there was a change in my life. Yes, there has been a mighty change in my life. I feel much more confident since I have understood the recovery model for Mental Illness. Previously, I looked at my situation as being hopeless. Here I was stuck with a mind and it was going haywire from time to time without the benefit of me trying to recover. Instead, I was being pacified and told "stay on your meds" by the treatment model of the past.

You have to understand, from my viewpoint, just existing was not enough for me. Just being supported by the government wasn't my viewpoint of an existence. I had to know that I made a difference to society. You may say, "You worked long and hard, just relax!" However, I have a mind and it wasn't being used. THAT was very frustrating to me. As I presented in previous posts and presentations my philosophy in life was and still is, "brains not brawn!" Not to say work less but to emphasize that you should make a difference with you life to help others. We all contribute to society is some form or fashion. Even the homeless, which I once, was have a position in society, that is to tap into our empathy and assist them from the rocky bottom that they are in. Trust me, speaking to many of them, they do not want to be in that position of lack of self-worth. I digress now.

Let me get to the point of the post. THERE is hope for those who are willing to risk the comfort zone and move out of the treatment model into the recovery model. This is not a new aspect of psychology but it is a new approach to an old problem. How do we assist those who are afflicted with mental illness? Placing labels on them and placing them in a corner doesn't help the matter other than place them out of society's vision for a little time. But when the bill comes in to pay for those services, society has to pay the piper.

So, what is the recovery model anyway. The model is that through the assistance of peers and professionals the person can become self-empowered and raise up from the illness to function again in society within his or her limitations. That in a nutshell is the recovery model. By no means does it mean to stop taking medication. Instead, the model advocates the foundation to stability is a good medication regime, medication management and then the development of empowerment practices to regain from what has been taken away by the illness.

Does this mean going back to work again? Yes and no. Depending upon the situation, someone could go back to work part time as I did. This helps the person gain his or her self-esteem and self worth. So what should the family and the consumer of psychiatric services consider. From my point of view, the person should look into the frequency of relapses and if they are currently stable. Stability of 1 year would be a good point to start from. Remember going back to work means the added pressures of the environment. Also, the family members need to see how the work process would increase the self-esteem of their family member verses causing another relapse. This decision should not and cannot be made in a vacuum. Instead it needs the input of the consumer, his or her doctor/psychologist/case worker/and or other professional along with the family.

If not going back to work is the answer, volunteering would be a good start for the person. There are many organizations that need people to help them. So, how do I find an organization? VolunteerAmerica.com is a starting point. Your local church is another. Something were the person would need to get up in the morning, start their day and socialize with other people other than being isolated at home.

Will this model of treatment of mental health move forward? Yes, I truly believe so as more and more institutions/agencies look at the whole portion of the person they see the benefit from a financial and psychological perspective. Through Peer Support Programs from organizations and agencies the message is: Hey I am a whole person who needs guidance, empathy and most of all some direction! I have value!

These programs most likely will augment the traditional delivery system of mental health and provide a means to holistically approach mental illness one person at a time.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post!