Mental health has a long and sorry past. Some things are better today and some things are probably worse. We have some medications that work to some extent. We have better diagnoses. Much has been learned about mental health. Treatment centers have all but disappeared. There are few treatment facilities and little funding. There has been some improvement in public perception of mental illness but it still has a long way to go.
Why am I on this topic? Today I met a man on the bike trail. I could hear loud talking from more than 200 m away. I couldn't even tell who was talking. Then I thought he must be talking on a cell phone. No. He was talking to himself in a very loud voice about a number of unrelated topics. He was raving about having to pay money for a book to find Jesus. I thought he would stop talking when he got to me. He kept on talking and went by me as if I wasn't there. It was a sad sight. I wondered why he was on his own. Obviously he was off his meds. I'm sure he would frighten some people while others may harass him.
I taught about 4000 students in this community. A young man who was easily in the top 100 brightest of all students I taught is unemployed and on disability. It's sad to think of how much this fellow could have achieved if schizophrenia had not disabled him.
Many people do not want to take their medications. I take a mediation for seizures. It is also used to treat schizophrenia and bi polar disorder. It's not a pleasant medication to take as it has side effects. I get depressed from time to time. I also have problems with balance. I also think that my thinking gets fuzzy at times. So I understand that people do not want to take medication.
There are some support groups for mental health but not enough.
We are also far under diagnosed in the mental health field. We had kids who were lashing out at things around them. Many suffered anxiety but it was never diagnosed or treated. So parents teachers and other kids received abuse that was very unpleasant to deal with. For many of these kids , if they had been diagnosed and treated , they would have been much happier and more successful. Many adults suffer from depression and do not realize it or won't admit it.
There is treatment for most mental health issues. Community support is crucial in bringing about better mental health.
One of our readers and commenters is going through a few bumps in the road. He has recognized and admitted a problem. He has begun treatment to regain good mental health. It's not easy when you think that some of the world turns against you and that you had some responsibility for that problem. He's working to regain good mental health. I wish him success.
Yes good luck to him. He'll need it.
ReplyDeleteYou could be talking about the UK. Things are much the same here.
Blame it on poor old Maggie Thatcher!
DeleteWell done. Admitting is the hard thing, but once you do it is all far easier than you thought.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying the classes at the clinic, strange for the first two days but then you adapt. The "homework" is a bug bear! I thought those days were gone long ago.
Colin (Brisbane. Australia)
I wish him well, too. Many very creative and brilliant people also seem to suffer from mental illness, don't they? I wonder why that is. Interesting and thoughtful post, Red.
ReplyDeleteWell, it sounds like you've given yourself some homework. when you find out let me know.
DeleteI agree with you Red - Treatment centers have all but disappeared. There are few treatment facilities and less and less funding. Not only our Mental Health Care but also our Health Care period. I say abolish the wasted senate and pour all that money into a more useful "Health Care Program". I remember the treatment facilities and the programs that were available to help - I remember it was all there and readily available... and then GONE. Our government found better ways to spend that money on ?????
ReplyDeletePeople have to advocate for their own health care these days. It makes it doubly hard for people with mental health problems to get looked after.
Deletei wish your friend success, too. i do think mental health treatments have come a long way, but almost to the point that doctors are so quick to offer pills to fix the problem without really trying anything else. i do believe prescriptions are well-needed for many, however. and i also know the side effects tend to squelch a love of life or creativity so folks don't want to take them as it dulls them down. a friend of mine had terrible swings of high to low and was only fit to be around when he took his meds.
ReplyDeleteIt's a real problem as what is the best think to do.
DeleteI wish him success also. Too many people are afraid to reveal what they perceive as weaknesses, and shame keeps them quiet and isolated until it's too late.
ReplyDeleteYou hit a key point about the perception of weakness.
DeleteI wish him the very best, also. For all we've learned and come to understand about mental health, there is still such a long way to go in so many areas. Two steps forward, one step back.
ReplyDeleteGood description of mental health treatment.
DeleteI really don't think the man on the trail should have been alone. So sad to hear. We have come a long way but it still is something folks don't want to talk about.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering why he was alone? He's in some danger of doing harm to himself.
DeleteMy sister is bi-polar and doesn't take meds.......she runs, swims and bikes like a maniac instead. She says the side effects just are NOT worth it but I worry :(
ReplyDeleteGood for her that she's able to control things by exercise. I hear you when you say I worry. the down side can be very dangerous.
DeleteEven in these enlightened times, we still seem to adopt a different approach to mental illness than physical illness. Indeed the two things are so often interchangeable - medication often works because there is a physical cause or imbalance. The result of the illness is pain and whether that is physical pain or mental pain does not matter
ReplyDeleteWell said, Red! I can tell you care about people and about the whole human race. The education system was very blessed to have you in it.
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
It's an odd coincidence. My daughter was home the other day when the same thing happened. She was walking her daughter to the bus stop. A police car went by later.
ReplyDeleteThese are wise words, my friend.
I've had a couple of clients with mental health issues. I'm getting a new one with Borderline Personality Disorder. She also has cancer, and an 8-year-old.
You can only do the best you can. If they don't take their drugs, you're right, then end up on disability. I have many clients on disability.
Red it's so sad that there are some people who have mental health issues and the supports are not there for them. Our wonderful government continues to make cuts in much needed services, meanwhile losing billions of dollars... ummm misplacing monies I should say.
ReplyDeleteI feel for those who have troubles in their lives, I agree that much more could be done in terms of supports and services. Look at the homeless population, how many people have to live in the streets due to mental health and or self medicating issues? (Alcohol, drugs, and worse).
I completely agree with Terry and Linda, "The education system was very blessed to have you in it."