The truth is that we are ALL susceptible to mental health issues.
For some of us, it is part of our genetic make up, something we are born with and are constantly aware of. Our frame of reference may be that of a bi-polar parent and with that reference in mind, we move through our life cautiously, paying attention to every overly anxious or depressed moment trying not to be like "those who came before us".
For others, mental health issues may manifest themselves after traumatic events. It's our body's way of reminding us that the "past was real", it's almost a "defense mechanism" or your brains way of building walls to protect you from ongoing trauma or helping to protect you from the past ever happening again...
For some, it was NEVER part of their "original genetic design", but maybe birth mom suffered from addictions to a despairing extent that we cannot understand, or she selfishly made conscious efforts to eliminate the pregnancy and was unsuccessful...in this case, a brain damaged child enters the world and is then forced to pay a lifetime of consequences for someone else's irresponsible choices and actions.
Human society asks this exceedingly large group of people with mental health issues to exist and function "normally" in an ever changing, diverse and increasingly violent world. We ask them to co-exist with others, go to church, hold down jobs, pay their taxes, be good citizens, good parents and contribute to society in a form other than funding the health care system, be emotional (but not too emotional), be sad (but not too sad) and be angry (but not too angry)...
There are a large number of individuals who do this well, to the point that you would never know. Those who don't do this well, don't integrate into the "normalcy of society" tend to end up on the streets, live with parents until they're old, or live in and out of jails and prisons.
In my experience, having private health insurance doesn't guarantee better Psychiatrists or Therapists; but it does guarantee that you'll be subject to the bureaucratic nightmare of the health care system. Government insurance doesn't guarantee the best Psychiatrists or Therapists, but it does guarantee access to mental health resources that aren't available to those who hold private health insurance.
For some of us, it is part of our genetic make up, something we are born with and are constantly aware of. Our frame of reference may be that of a bi-polar parent and with that reference in mind, we move through our life cautiously, paying attention to every overly anxious or depressed moment trying not to be like "those who came before us".
For others, mental health issues may manifest themselves after traumatic events. It's our body's way of reminding us that the "past was real", it's almost a "defense mechanism" or your brains way of building walls to protect you from ongoing trauma or helping to protect you from the past ever happening again...
For some, it was NEVER part of their "original genetic design", but maybe birth mom suffered from addictions to a despairing extent that we cannot understand, or she selfishly made conscious efforts to eliminate the pregnancy and was unsuccessful...in this case, a brain damaged child enters the world and is then forced to pay a lifetime of consequences for someone else's irresponsible choices and actions.
Human society asks this exceedingly large group of people with mental health issues to exist and function "normally" in an ever changing, diverse and increasingly violent world. We ask them to co-exist with others, go to church, hold down jobs, pay their taxes, be good citizens, good parents and contribute to society in a form other than funding the health care system, be emotional (but not too emotional), be sad (but not too sad) and be angry (but not too angry)...
There are a large number of individuals who do this well, to the point that you would never know. Those who don't do this well, don't integrate into the "normalcy of society" tend to end up on the streets, live with parents until they're old, or live in and out of jails and prisons.
In my experience, having private health insurance doesn't guarantee better Psychiatrists or Therapists; but it does guarantee that you'll be subject to the bureaucratic nightmare of the health care system. Government insurance doesn't guarantee the best Psychiatrists or Therapists, but it does guarantee access to mental health resources that aren't available to those who hold private health insurance.
These people are you and me, these people are our friends, they are the children of our friends, these people are our children.
Despite the resentment and bitterness that must seethe from the words that fill these pages, I still lay awake at night wondering what will become of my son. What plans can realistically be made for his future that is approaching at an increasingly fast pace...in what ways will our world allow him to contribute?
I am not a political person, but I do know that politics are NOT the answer. I do not believe that jails or prisons are the answer. Mental Health is a Human Issue, and not an issue belonging to any one political party...but where, oh where do we find the balance.
The conversation must not end here; the conversation must continue with us, amongst friends, amongst family. I hope that this forum gives others the courage to "speak up" even when it feels uncomfortable to do so in a world that "De-normalizes" what is in fact very normal.
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