Hope Is The New Normal, Caring For Family With Mental Illness.
We are in the midst of a mental health crisis, be it symptomatology due to the stressors of the COVID pandemic and or the exacerbation of existing pathology from pandemic effects. As a society, we are learning to acknowledge mental illness in our communities, among family and friends. Many families and caretakers are learning how to love a person with mental illness. This is not a new societal challenge but one we are exploring how to do better, with intention, with kindness, to result in good outcomes. It is overwhelming in light of our past institutionalization, stigma, and rejection. Yet I offer a message of hope and encouragement. I would like to invite you to participate in the new normal of caregiving as a civic duty, and loving friends or family.
The New Normal: Embracing Caregiving as a Civic Duty
In the new normal, we must adapt and adopt education, compassion, and patience. This is not easy as rebuffing those with mental health allows us to live in the delusion that we are unaffected. However, hope abounds. Education is the first rule of order as we learn from veritable sources of the humanness of mental illness so as not to act in fear or anger. Compassion for others and ourselves is necessary so as to offer empathy and avoid shame. Moreover, for those in the direct care of the mentally ill, compassion for the range of human emotions including frustration, anger, exasperation, and confusion is needed. Patience with the uninformed, and unenlightened, and for yourself is also necessary as we are yet learning how to give love in the form of regard and care.
Education: Overcoming Fear and Anger through Understanding
Education rules out fear as we learn to support and access those resources that benefit the mentally challenged. Education involves supporting those societal efforts that promote the humane treatment of the mentally ill. As well for caregivers, education is accessing those supportive resources such as support groups, and professional health for diagnosis, and treatment, at the point of crisis with the intention of optimizing the life experience. Education also requires learning how to self-regard as a member of a community or family so as to maintain love and empathy.
Compassion: Fostering Empathy and Rejecting Stigma
Compassion requires a rejection of those policies and stigmas that contradict a spirit of love and empathy. Compassion forgives ignorance, misunderstanding, and the difficulty of caring for the mentally challenged. Compassion demands self-care for caregivers given the emotional and physical demands of loving the mentally challenged. Pouring from an empty cup hinders the well-being of those who provide care and fill that cup of love. This self-care should include personal fitness, therapy, and social connectedness so as to mitigate stress and prevent burnout.
Compassion leads to hope and allows for the resilience of persons, families, and communities. The hope that results from the successful management of the mentally ill is unmatched. The strength of that friend, family, or community with enduring compassion is admirable and serves only for good.
Moving Forward: The New Normal of Mental Health Care with Optimism and Support.
This message is a message of hope, love, and endurance. The new normal will give all of these elements to our communities, families, and people. With encouragement, I ask us all to move forward and do so with optimism, information, support, and faith.
Childverse, Inc. navigates the mental health care system for children to find you resources that help treat conditions with evidence based care & therapy. Contact our professional advisors today at (256) 809-8328.
